Below is a 100-point plan/agenda for how small Iowa communities with populations of 2,500 to 10,000 can “DOGEfood” their own solutions. “DOGE-food” combines the concept of dogfooding—where developers “eat their own dogfood” by develop and use their own products in the process of developing, to get feedback [from themselves] and then rapidly refine, improve and perfect their code WITH the efficiency-driven leadership approach of Elon Musk and his Dept of Govt Efficiency team, emphasizing innovation, resourcefulness, and early results to energize the team and participants to go further. This plan empowers these communities to leverage their local technical skills, engage every resident, and address their unique challenges, making their people healthier, their economies more vibrant, and their communities greater than ever before.

100-Point DOGEfooded Plan for Small Iowa Communities

This 100-point DOGEfooded plan is about using AI for ideas and provoking discussion, in order to empower small Iowa communities to harness their own resources and creativity.

DOGEfooding is much like developers dogfooding their products and DOGE’s efficiency-driven leadership. It is the best way for adhoc community organizations to test their own ideas for solutions in real-world usage using dogfooding product management techniques. Eating one’s own dogfood act as quality control, and eventually a kind of testimonial advertising, but mostly it’s driven by the fact that the develop of the solution knows what the solution has to do and how it has to taste. Upon success, dogfooding can demonstrate competence in working solutions.

Through intensely practice DOGEfooding driven by community engagement, technical innovation, health, economic vitality, and more, residents of these small cities can address challenges like aging populations and limited opportunities while building on strengths like local pride and agricultural roots. When residents and activists work together to implement this agenda, they’ll create healthier, more vibrant, and truly great communities for generations to come.

The following ideas are only points to ponder; EACH particular point is worthy of more prompts to AI in order to develop lists of deeper, more applicable, more intensely practical questions to ponder further on the path to coming up with the specification for your own DOGEfood.

1. Community Engagement and Leadership (Points 1-10)

  1. Form a DOGE-Food Task Force with representatives from local businesses, schools, healthcare, agriculture, and residents to lead the initiative.
  2. Hold monthly town hall meetings to gather ideas, share progress, and ensure transparency.
  3. Create a community vision statement through a collaborative process involving all age groups.
  4. Launch a community newsletter or blog to highlight updates, success stories, and opportunities.
  5. Organize annual community awards to celebrate contributions to the DOGE-Food plan.
  6. Establish a community volunteer program to mobilize residents for projects.
  7. Create a community calendar for events, workshops, and activities.
  8. Set up a suggestion box (physical and online) for residents to submit ideas.
  9. Organize quarterly community clean-up days to build pride and teamwork.
  10. Host seasonal picnics or potlucks to strengthen social connections.

2. Technical Skills and Innovation (Points 11-20)

  1. Conduct a skills inventory survey to catalog local expertise in technology, engineering, agriculture, and trades.
  2. Set up a community makerspace with tools and equipment for residents to innovate and collaborate.
  3. Host hackathons or innovation challenges to solve local issues (e.g., energy efficiency, water management).
  4. Partner with local businesses to offer internships or apprenticeships for skill-building.
  5. Create a local tech incubator to support startups and entrepreneurs.
  6. Develop a tech directory to connect residents with local services and expertise.
  7. Host STEM workshops for youth to inspire the next generation of innovators.
  8. Create a community innovation fund for small grants to support promising projects.
  9. Partner with nearby universities for research and development collaborations.
  10. Set up a local tech meetup group to encourage networking and idea-sharing.

3. Health and Wellness (Points 21-30)

  1. Establish community gardens in vacant lots or public spaces for fresh produce access.
  2. Organize weekly farmers’ markets to promote local agriculture and healthy eating.
  3. Offer cooking classes and nutrition workshops with local chefs or dietitians.
  4. Set up walking or biking trails to encourage physical activity.
  5. Partner with healthcare providers for free health screenings and preventive care clinics.
  6. Organize community sports leagues for all ages (e.g., soccer, basketball, pickleball).
  7. Offer mental health support groups and resources.
  8. Set up an annual community health fair with wellness activities and education.
  9. Promote healthy eating through school lunch programs and community meals.
  10. Create walking clubs for seniors to boost fitness and socialization.

4. Economic Development (Points 31-40)

  1. Launch a “shop local” campaign with incentives like discounts or loyalty points.
  2. Create a business incubator to support new entrepreneurs with mentorship and resources.
  3. Develop a tourism strategy highlighting local attractions (e.g., historic sites, natural beauty).
  4. Explore renewable energy projects like solar farms to create jobs and cut costs.
  5. Host job fairs to connect residents with local employers.
  6. Develop a local currency or loyalty program to keep spending in the community.
  7. Host entrepreneurship bootcamps to teach business skills.
  8. Create a community investment fund to support local startups.
  9. Promote local products through branding (e.g., “Made in [Town Name]”).
  10. Set up a community co-op for shared resources like equipment or bulk purchasing.

5. Education and Skill Development (Points 41-50)

  1. Offer vocational training in high-demand fields (e.g., healthcare, tech, trades).
  2. Partner with schools for after-school tutoring and enrichment programs.
  3. Set up a community library with educational resources and study spaces.
  4. Organize workshops on financial literacy, budgeting, and homeownership.
  5. Encourage online learning with community computer labs and high-speed internet.
  6. Offer language classes for non-English speakers to promote inclusion.
  7. Set up a community college scholarship fund for higher education.
  8. Organize career days for students to explore local job opportunities.
  9. Provide childcare for parents attending classes or workshops.
  10. Create a mentorship program pairing professionals with youth.

6. Infrastructure and Environment (Points 51-60)

  1. Invest in solar panels for public buildings to reduce energy costs.
  2. Implement a community-wide recycling program with waste reduction education.
  3. Create green spaces and parks for recreation and relaxation.
  4. Improve public transportation with bike lanes or shuttle services.
  5. Conduct energy audits for homes and businesses to boost efficiency.
  6. Implement water conservation measures like rain barrels or low-flow fixtures.
  7. Set up community composting sites to reduce waste and enrich soil.
  8. Promote energy-efficient home upgrades with rebates or workshops.
  9. Create wildlife habitats in public spaces to support biodiversity.
  10. Organize tree planting events to improve air quality and beautify the town.

7. Arts and Culture (Points 61-70)

  1. Host community art projects like murals or sculptures to enhance public spaces.
  2. Organize cultural festivals celebrating local heritage and diversity.
  3. Support local artists with markets, galleries, and public installations.
  4. Preserve historic buildings and landmarks through restoration efforts.
  5. Create a community theater or music group for performances.
  6. Host open mic nights for local talent (e.g., poetry, music, comedy).
  7. Create a community art gallery to showcase creativity.
  8. Organize cultural exchange programs with nearby towns or schools.
  9. Set up a local history museum to preserve the community’s story.
  10. Promote local authors with book readings and literary events.

8. Technology and Connectivity (Points 71-80)

  1. Improve broadband access in underserved areas to bridge the digital divide.
  2. Offer digital literacy classes for all ages on internet safety and skills.
  3. Develop a community app for information, services, and event updates.
  4. Use technology to streamline government processes (e.g., online permits).
  5. Set up a community tech support network for troubleshooting help.
  6. Offer coding classes for youth to build future-ready skills.
  7. Set up a community podcast or radio station for local stories.
  8. Create an online marketplace for buying and selling local goods.
  9. Use social media to promote community events and initiatives.
  10. Develop a community data dashboard to track progress (e.g., health, economy).

9. Safety and Security (Points 81-90)

  1. Strengthen community policing to build trust and collaboration.
  2. Organize neighborhood watch programs to enhance safety.
  3. Implement disaster preparedness plans with regular drills.
  4. Promote fire safety education with workshops and inspections.
  5. Offer self-defense classes for residents of all ages.
  6. Organize safety workshops on topics like cybersecurity and fraud prevention.
  7. Set up a community emergency response team (CERT) for disasters.
  8. Promote cybersecurity awareness with educational campaigns.
  9. Create a neighborhood safety app for reporting issues and alerts.
  10. Host first aid and CPR training for residents.

10. Youth and Senior Engagement (Points 91-100)

  1. Create mentorship programs pairing youth with seniors for skill-sharing.
  2. Organize intergenerational activities like storytelling or crafts.
  3. Provide support services for seniors to age in place (e.g., home repairs, meals).
  4. Set up youth councils to involve young people in decision-making.
  5. Offer senior-friendly fitness classes and social events.
  6. Organize youth-led projects (e.g., mural painting, park clean-ups).
  7. Set up senior tech support programs for digital tools.
  8. Create intergenerational gardening projects to foster connections.
  9. Offer senior-friendly transportation for errands and appointments.
  10. Host community talent shows to celebrate skills across all ages.

How to Implement the Plan

Start Small, Scale Up, DOGE the f out of AI, ponder and then get going with an MVP prototype test case: Begin with high-impact initiatives that address immediate needs (e.g., health screenings, shop local campaigns). Fail small, but get going. When success strikes, expand upon those early wins to build momentum.

Leverage Local Talent, INVOLVE residents: Identify residents with skills in project management, technology, or marketing to lead specific points.

SERVE FIRST Leadership is about engaging everyone, include the skeptics and detractors: Involve youth, adults, and seniors in planning and execution to ensure broad ownership.

Start off by thinking about quantifying and measuring success: Track progress with simple metrics (e.g., participation rates, business growth, health outcomes) and adjust as needed. If initiatives fail, learn from mishaps and move on – don’t become a prisoner of pet ideas; it works or it doesn’t. KEEP MOVING, don’t throw good money after bad … the wins will overpower the losses if you feed the wins, rather than the dogs.

Celebrate Achievements: Highlight successes through events, newsletters, or social media to keep enthusiasm high.

Role of Community Volunteers, Leaders, Activists

ACTIVE community ACTIVIST are the backbone of this ACTIVE DOGEfood plan. ACTIVE leaders can:

  • Organize and Mobilize: Coordinate volunteers, plan events, and keep residents informed.

  • Advocate for Resources: Secure funding, partnerships, or donations to support initiatives.

  • Lead by Their OWN Example: Participate actively and round-up friends, learn/share new skills, and inspire others to join in and even compete.

  • Foster Collaboration: Connect schools, businesses, and nonprofits to work toward shared goals.