From the desk of The Harvest Foundation President Kate Keller
As we welcome a brand-new year, there’s a special sense of optimism in the air. This season always invites reflection and fresh beginnings — but this year brings an even more exciting opportunity for all of us.
The Harvest Foundation, in partnership with city and county leadership, community organizations, and residents across Martinsville-Henry County, is honored to launch a community-wide effort to imagine, and ultimately shape, what we want our home to become by 2050. We can’t wait to embark on this journey with you.
A long-term community vision goes far beyond planning documents or policy ideas. It’s a chance for residents from every neighborhood, every age group, and every walk of life to come together and share what they value most — and what they hope to see thrive in the decades ahead.
Community visions are powerful because they give everyone a shared sense of direction. Without a long-term vision, a community often grows reactively — responding to problems as they arise or allowing change to unfold without intention. But a vision flips that dynamic. It allows us to define where we want to go, rather than simply adjusting to where we end up.
Why look all the way to 2050? Because thinking so far ahead gives us room to dream big. It encourages us to imagine possibilities we may not have felt ready to consider before:
- A resilient local economy rooted in innovation and opportunity;
- Welcoming neighborhoods that balance growth, affordability, and green space;
- A vibrant arts and cultural landscape that brings people together;
- Transportation and infrastructure that serve everyone seamlessly; and
- A strong sense of belonging that connects neighbors, businesses, and organizations.
These aren’t just aspirations—they’re starting points for a vision we’ll build collectively.
Over the coming year, we’ll host gatherings, listening sessions, workshops, and provide opportunities to contribute ideas online. Every one of these moments is designed to ensure that the community visioning process reflects the voices and hopes of the entire community.
Your participation will help shape the foundation of this long-term plan. Whether you have a detailed vision or a single hope for the future, your perspective is essential.
There’s no better time than the start of a new year to embrace the promise of what’s ahead. Together, we can set a tone of collaboration, creativity, and purpose—one that carries us not just into the coming months but into the next generation.
We’re thrilled to begin this journey and deeply grateful for your partnership. Let’s make 2026 the year we start designing a future we’ll all be proud to call home.
Here’s to a year of big ideas, bold conversations, and a shared vision that lights the way to 2050.