Intro. We work to advance steady state economics (as opposed to growth based economics) at the local level. People that have signed the position of our national chapter include renowned environmentalists such as E.O. Wilson, Lester Brown, Bill McKibben, Wendell Berry and Jane Goodall. However, as of yet this movement hasn't been translated from academia to the grassroots. The purpose of the CASSE Vermont chapter is to explore ways to bring this vision to the grassroots.  And bring the grassroots to steady state economics.1. Unifying the voice of the grassroots.Local grassroots organizations work on many different social, environmental and economic issues.  Many of the challenges these organizations face are the consequence of national (and local) policies that stem from the attitude that economic growth is a panacea for all problems. This attitude continues to work its way into policies despite the fact that, according to a recent study at Yale, an overwhelming majority of Americans prefer environmental protection over economic growth. Today, economic growth is an increasing threat to environmental sustainability, future prosperity and stable communities. Further, the pursuit of growth favors large corporations and hurts small, local businesses. Thus, CASSE chapters work at the grassroots level to unify voices—to bring divergent efforts toward an understanding of the single most critical leverage point in the 21st century: the macroeconomic pursuit of a steady state economy. This effort is largely about communication, education, organizing and starting conversations with a single vision in mind: a transition away from growth-based economics.2. Taking action steps toward a steady state economy locally.At the same time, the CASSE Vermont Chapter seeks to take action steps toward a steady state economy in Burlington and throughout the state of Vermont.  In order to bring about this transition, these regions must determine their carrying capacity and develop a vision for a happy and meaningful way of life that does not revolve around perpetual economic growth. Working backwards, we can begin to distinguish between growth-based solutions and steady-state solutions. Not all growth solutions are bad, but the general balance will have to change moving forward. This project builds on the work of local research institutions and advocacy efforts which have made great steps. This includes work being done at the state level.  For instance, in 2008, Vermont established the Vermont Common Assets Trust. Victories at this level are rare for the movement, but it is worth noting that CASSE has been officially recognized by the Vermont State Legislature for its advocacy. Another initiative underway is the Steady State Agriculture project, which builds primarily on the work of Dan Erickson of the Food Systems Research Institute and a USDA hatch grant which CASSE employee Skyler Perkins worked on for his master’s degree with UVM professor Josh Farley. This project aims to establish a steady state agriculture system in the Chittenden County region, focusing first on the development of a food system with a drastically-reduced GHG footprint. The food system is low-hanging fruit when it comes to envisioning a steady state economy. While we tend to be an organization oriented toward long-term solutions, this represents an opportunity to take immediate steps and to begin to frame the larger transition. Many regions in the U.S. would likely need to go through a period of degrowth prior to finding a truly sustainable rate of economic activity. However, Vermont is truly in a position to transition from a growth-based economy to a steady state economy.