Blue Sky Center is building models for resilient, thriving, and inclusive rural economies in the Cuyama Valley. As a place-based organization, their creative team prioritizes projects and collaborations that celebrate the abundance of Cuyama. BSC focuses on Community development, economic development, food systems and creative engagement. Some examples include establishing food resources and research to foster more local food purchasing and creating a mobile community kitchen for anyone to use. Other initiatives include a Desert Fellowship creative residency program facilitated by Blue Sky Center in collaboration with Cuyama Valley organizations, businesses, and communities and a Made in Cuyama community action plant to highlight local production of goods. Collectively, BSC relies on a core set of values that permeates all their endeavors:
- Practice Radical Candor – Care for each other personally, challenge directly.
- Remain Community-Driven – Anchored in innovation, steered by the people.
- Strive for a Culture of Equity – Dynamic governance, driven by a community of entrepreneurs.
- Support Validated Systems – Verifiable systems, scalable impact.
- Celebrate Inclusivity – Dismantle systems of oppression and power, not reinforce them.
- Get Things Done - Keep a to-do list, turn ideas and discussions into tangible and meaningful results.
- In addition, they are committed to fostering a welcoming environment, in-person or virtual, for all.
