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Carolyn Spradling has a reason for her optimism during a time of economic uncertainty and disillusionment about the modern American lifestyle.

Spradling said both she and her late husband worked outside the home, fed their children restaurant-prepared meals several times a week, and depended on many electrical appliances and gadgets.

Now, her son and daughter live simply and grow their own food in rural Stokes County.

"They have taught me way more than I have taught them," said Spradling, a Missouri resident visiting her children in Sandy Ridge. "They taught me how to churn butter. I have my open sprouts on my kitchen counter at home."

Spradling was one of roughly 100 people who attended a sustainability festival at Prabhupada Village in Sandy Ridge on Saturday, sharing their thoughts on how to transition American society from one dependent on fossil fuels and consumerism to one that relies on renewable energy and personal relationships.

The festival included a solar oven competition, a tour of a straw bale house and cob structure, locally grown food, and presentations on electric vehicles, community-supported agriculture and herbalism.

"The world is ready for good ideas and it's exciting," said festival organizer Mitra Walters, who lives at the Hare Krishna community that hosted the event. "It's become a patriotic thing to save energy and try to do something sustainable."

Christopher Baker of Greensboro said he and his girlfriend plan to build an off-grid home on 20 acres of land he owns near Haw River State Park. They want to build an "earthship," a type of structure pioneered in New Mexico that uses recycled and natural materials and relies on solar, geothermal or other renewable energy.

Baker said he plans to start construction within the next year, depending on local economic conditions. "We want to get it done, not get in the middle of it and can't get materials," Baker said.

Eric Henry, president of TS Designs in Burlington, encouraged people to start cooperative businesses in their communities. TS Designs, a shirt-making company, has partnered with Alamance County businesses and residents to create a cooperative grocery store. They want to open it within the next two years with at least 2,000 owners, but they need to raise $2.5 million, he said.

"Just keep pounding away at people the idea of reconnecting with your local community," Henry told festival attendees.

The Sandy Ridge festival took place at a time of increasing anxiety over national economic stress and rising unemployment. Spradling said her children's actions demonstrate a possible future.

"I think there's a lot of people doing things," she said. "They're not just philosophizing about it. They're doing it."