diff --git a/.perm_test_apache b/.perm_test_apache
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..e69de29
diff --git a/.perm_test_exec b/.perm_test_exec
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..e69de29
diff --git a/ai/__init__.py b/ai/__init__.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..37a7b09
--- /dev/null
+++ b/ai/__init__.py
@@ -0,0 +1,3 @@
+"""Helpers for interacting with the Flatlogic AI proxy from Django code."""
+
+from .local_ai_api import LocalAIApi, create_response, request, decode_json_from_response  # noqa: F401
diff --git a/ai/local_ai_api.py b/ai/local_ai_api.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..bcff732
--- /dev/null
+++ b/ai/local_ai_api.py
@@ -0,0 +1,420 @@
+"""
+LocalAIApi — lightweight Python client for the Flatlogic AI proxy.
+
+Usage (inside the Django workspace):
+
+    from ai.local_ai_api import LocalAIApi
+
+    response = LocalAIApi.create_response({
+        "input": [
+            {"role": "system", "content": "You are a helpful assistant."},
+            {"role": "user", "content": "Summarise this text in two sentences."},
+        ],
+        "text": {"format": {"type": "json_object"}},
+    })
+
+    if response.get("success"):
+        data = LocalAIApi.decode_json_from_response(response)
+        # ...
+
+# Typical successful payload (truncated):
+# {
+#   "id": "resp_xxx",
+#   "status": "completed",
+#   "output": [
+#     {"type": "reasoning", "summary": []},
+#     {"type": "message", "content": [{"type": "output_text", "text": "Your final answer here."}]}
+#   ],
+#   "usage": { "input_tokens": 123, "output_tokens": 456 }
+# }
+
+The helper automatically injects the project UUID header and falls back to
+reading executor/.env if environment variables are missing.
+"""
+
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+import json
+import os
+import time
+import ssl
+from typing import Any, Dict, Iterable, Optional
+from urllib import error as urlerror
+from urllib import request as urlrequest
+
+__all__ = [
+    "LocalAIApi",
+    "create_response",
+    "request",
+    "fetch_status",
+    "await_response",
+    "extract_text",
+    "decode_json_from_response",
+]
+
+
+_CONFIG_CACHE: Optional[Dict[str, Any]] = None
+
+
+class LocalAIApi:
+    """Static helpers mirroring the PHP implementation."""
+
+    @staticmethod
+    def create_response(params: Dict[str, Any], options: Optional[Dict[str, Any]] = None) -> Dict[str, Any]:
+        return create_response(params, options or {})
+
+    @staticmethod
+    def request(path: Optional[str] = None, payload: Optional[Dict[str, Any]] = None,
+                options: Optional[Dict[str, Any]] = None) -> Dict[str, Any]:
+        return request(path, payload or {}, options or {})
+
+    @staticmethod
+    def extract_text(response: Dict[str, Any]) -> str:
+        return extract_text(response)
+
+    @staticmethod
+    def decode_json_from_response(response: Dict[str, Any]) -> Optional[Dict[str, Any]]:
+        return decode_json_from_response(response)
+
+
+def create_response(params: Dict[str, Any], options: Optional[Dict[str, Any]] = None) -> Dict[str, Any]:
+    """Signature compatible with the OpenAI Responses API."""
+    options = options or {}
+    payload = dict(params)
+
+    if not isinstance(payload.get("input"), list) or not payload["input"]:
+        return {
+            "success": False,
+            "error": "input_missing",
+            "message": 'Parameter "input" is required and must be a non-empty list.',
+        }
+
+    cfg = _config()
+    if not payload.get("model"):
+        payload["model"] = cfg["default_model"]
+
+    initial = request(options.get("path"), payload, options)
+    if not initial.get("success"):
+        return initial
+
+    data = initial.get("data")
+    if isinstance(data, dict) and "ai_request_id" in data:
+        ai_request_id = data["ai_request_id"]
+        poll_timeout = int(options.get("poll_timeout", 300))
+        poll_interval = int(options.get("poll_interval", 5))
+        return await_response(ai_request_id, {
+            "interval": poll_interval,
+            "timeout": poll_timeout,
+            "headers": options.get("headers"),
+            "timeout_per_call": options.get("timeout"),
+        })
+
+    return initial
+
+
+def request(path: Optional[str], payload: Dict[str, Any], options: Optional[Dict[str, Any]] = None) -> Dict[str, Any]:
+    """Perform a raw request to the AI proxy."""
+    cfg = _config()
+    options = options or {}
+
+    resolved_path = path or options.get("path") or cfg["responses_path"]
+    if not resolved_path:
+        return {
+            "success": False,
+            "error": "project_id_missing",
+            "message": "PROJECT_ID is not defined; cannot resolve AI proxy endpoint.",
+        }
+
+    project_uuid = cfg["project_uuid"]
+    if not project_uuid:
+        return {
+            "success": False,
+            "error": "project_uuid_missing",
+            "message": "PROJECT_UUID is not defined; aborting AI request.",
+        }
+
+    if "project_uuid" not in payload and project_uuid:
+        payload["project_uuid"] = project_uuid
+
+    url = _build_url(resolved_path, cfg["base_url"])
+    opt_timeout = options.get("timeout")
+    timeout = int(cfg["timeout"] if opt_timeout is None else opt_timeout)
+    verify_tls = options.get("verify_tls", cfg["verify_tls"])
+
+    headers: Dict[str, str] = {
+        "Content-Type": "application/json",
+        "Accept": "application/json",
+        cfg["project_header"]: project_uuid,
+    }
+    extra_headers = options.get("headers")
+    if isinstance(extra_headers, Iterable):
+        for header in extra_headers:
+            if isinstance(header, str) and ":" in header:
+                name, value = header.split(":", 1)
+                headers[name.strip()] = value.strip()
+
+    body = json.dumps(payload, ensure_ascii=False).encode("utf-8")
+    return _http_request(url, "POST", body, headers, timeout, verify_tls)
+
+
+def fetch_status(ai_request_id: Any, options: Optional[Dict[str, Any]] = None) -> Dict[str, Any]:
+    """Fetch status for a queued AI request."""
+    cfg = _config()
+    options = options or {}
+
+    project_uuid = cfg["project_uuid"]
+    if not project_uuid:
+        return {
+            "success": False,
+            "error": "project_uuid_missing",
+            "message": "PROJECT_UUID is not defined; aborting status check.",
+        }
+
+    status_path = _resolve_status_path(ai_request_id, cfg)
+    url = _build_url(status_path, cfg["base_url"])
+
+    opt_timeout = options.get("timeout")
+    timeout = int(cfg["timeout"] if opt_timeout is None else opt_timeout)
+    verify_tls = options.get("verify_tls", cfg["verify_tls"])
+
+    headers: Dict[str, str] = {
+        "Accept": "application/json",
+        cfg["project_header"]: project_uuid,
+    }
+    extra_headers = options.get("headers")
+    if isinstance(extra_headers, Iterable):
+        for header in extra_headers:
+            if isinstance(header, str) and ":" in header:
+                name, value = header.split(":", 1)
+                headers[name.strip()] = value.strip()
+
+    return _http_request(url, "GET", None, headers, timeout, verify_tls)
+
+
+def await_response(ai_request_id: Any, options: Optional[Dict[str, Any]] = None) -> Dict[str, Any]:
+    """Poll status endpoint until the request is complete or timed out."""
+    options = options or {}
+    timeout = int(options.get("timeout", 300))
+    interval = int(options.get("interval", 5))
+    if interval <= 0:
+        interval = 5
+    per_call_timeout = options.get("timeout_per_call")
+
+    deadline = time.time() + max(timeout, interval)
+
+    while True:
+        status_resp = fetch_status(ai_request_id, {
+            "headers": options.get("headers"),
+            "timeout": per_call_timeout,
+            "verify_tls": options.get("verify_tls"),
+        })
+        if status_resp.get("success"):
+            data = status_resp.get("data") or {}
+            if isinstance(data, dict):
+                status_value = data.get("status")
+                if status_value == "success":
+                    return {
+                        "success": True,
+                        "status": 200,
+                        "data": data.get("response", data),
+                    }
+                if status_value == "failed":
+                    return {
+                        "success": False,
+                        "status": 500,
+                        "error": str(data.get("error") or "AI request failed"),
+                        "data": data,
+                    }
+        else:
+            return status_resp
+
+        if time.time() >= deadline:
+            return {
+                "success": False,
+                "error": "timeout",
+                "message": "Timed out waiting for AI response.",
+            }
+        time.sleep(interval)
+
+
+def extract_text(response: Dict[str, Any]) -> str:
+    """Public helper to extract plain text from a Responses payload."""
+    return _extract_text(response)
+
+
+def decode_json_from_response(response: Dict[str, Any]) -> Optional[Dict[str, Any]]:
+    """Attempt to decode JSON emitted by the model (handles markdown fences)."""
+    text = _extract_text(response)
+    if text == "":
+        return None
+
+    try:
+        decoded = json.loads(text)
+        if isinstance(decoded, dict):
+            return decoded
+    except json.JSONDecodeError:
+        pass
+
+    stripped = text.strip()
+    if stripped.startswith("```json"):
+        stripped = stripped[7:]
+    if stripped.endswith("```"):
+        stripped = stripped[:-3]
+    stripped = stripped.strip()
+    if stripped and stripped != text:
+        try:
+            decoded = json.loads(stripped)
+            if isinstance(decoded, dict):
+                return decoded
+        except json.JSONDecodeError:
+            return None
+    return None
+
+
+def _extract_text(response: Dict[str, Any]) -> str:
+    payload = response.get("data") if response.get("success") else response.get("response")
+    if isinstance(payload, dict):
+        output = payload.get("output")
+        if isinstance(output, list):
+            combined = ""
+            for item in output:
+                content = item.get("content") if isinstance(item, dict) else None
+                if isinstance(content, list):
+                    for block in content:
+                        if isinstance(block, dict) and block.get("type") == "output_text" and block.get("text"):
+                            combined += str(block["text"])
+                if combined:
+                    return combined
+        choices = payload.get("choices")
+        if isinstance(choices, list) and choices:
+            message = choices[0].get("message")
+            if isinstance(message, dict) and message.get("content"):
+                return str(message["content"])
+    if isinstance(payload, str):
+        return payload
+    return ""
+
+
+def _config() -> Dict[str, Any]:
+    global _CONFIG_CACHE  # noqa: PLW0603
+    if _CONFIG_CACHE is not None:
+        return _CONFIG_CACHE
+
+    _ensure_env_loaded()
+
+    base_url = os.getenv("AI_PROXY_BASE_URL", "https://flatlogic.com")
+    project_id = os.getenv("PROJECT_ID") or None
+    responses_path = os.getenv("AI_RESPONSES_PATH")
+    if not responses_path and project_id:
+        responses_path = f"/projects/{project_id}/ai-request"
+
+    _CONFIG_CACHE = {
+        "base_url": base_url,
+        "responses_path": responses_path,
+        "project_id": project_id,
+        "project_uuid": os.getenv("PROJECT_UUID"),
+        "project_header": os.getenv("AI_PROJECT_HEADER", "project-uuid"),
+        "default_model": os.getenv("AI_DEFAULT_MODEL", "gpt-5-mini"),
+        "timeout": int(os.getenv("AI_TIMEOUT", "30")),
+        "verify_tls": os.getenv("AI_VERIFY_TLS", "true").lower() not in {"0", "false", "no"},
+    }
+    return _CONFIG_CACHE
+
+
+def _build_url(path: str, base_url: str) -> str:
+    trimmed = path.strip()
+    if trimmed.startswith("http://") or trimmed.startswith("https://"):
+        return trimmed
+    if trimmed.startswith("/"):
+        return f"{base_url}{trimmed}"
+    return f"{base_url}/{trimmed}"
+
+
+def _resolve_status_path(ai_request_id: Any, cfg: Dict[str, Any]) -> str:
+    base_path = (cfg.get("responses_path") or "").rstrip("/")
+    if not base_path:
+        return f"/ai-request/{ai_request_id}/status"
+    if not base_path.endswith("/ai-request"):
+        base_path = f"{base_path}/ai-request"
+    return f"{base_path}/{ai_request_id}/status"
+
+
+def _http_request(url: str, method: str, body: Optional[bytes], headers: Dict[str, str],
+                  timeout: int, verify_tls: bool) -> Dict[str, Any]:
+    """
+    Shared HTTP helper for GET/POST requests.
+    """
+    req = urlrequest.Request(url, data=body, method=method.upper())
+    for name, value in headers.items():
+        req.add_header(name, value)
+
+    context = None
+    if not verify_tls:
+        context = ssl.create_default_context()
+        context.check_hostname = False
+        context.verify_mode = ssl.CERT_NONE
+
+    try:
+        with urlrequest.urlopen(req, timeout=timeout, context=context) as resp:
+            status = resp.getcode()
+            response_body = resp.read().decode("utf-8", errors="replace")
+    except urlerror.HTTPError as exc:
+        status = exc.getcode()
+        response_body = exc.read().decode("utf-8", errors="replace")
+    except Exception as exc:  # pylint: disable=broad-except
+        return {
+            "success": False,
+            "error": "request_failed",
+            "message": str(exc),
+        }
+
+    decoded = None
+    if response_body:
+        try:
+            decoded = json.loads(response_body)
+        except json.JSONDecodeError:
+            decoded = None
+
+    if 200 <= status < 300:
+        return {
+            "success": True,
+            "status": status,
+            "data": decoded if decoded is not None else response_body,
+        }
+
+    error_message = "AI proxy request failed"
+    if isinstance(decoded, dict):
+        error_message = decoded.get("error") or decoded.get("message") or error_message
+    elif response_body:
+        error_message = response_body
+
+    return {
+        "success": False,
+        "status": status,
+        "error": error_message,
+        "response": decoded if decoded is not None else response_body,
+    }
+
+
+def _ensure_env_loaded() -> None:
+    """Populate os.environ from executor/.env if variables are missing."""
+    if os.getenv("PROJECT_UUID") and os.getenv("PROJECT_ID"):
+        return
+
+    env_path = os.path.abspath(os.path.join(os.path.dirname(__file__), "..", ".env"))
+    if not os.path.exists(env_path):
+        return
+
+    try:
+        with open(env_path, "r", encoding="utf-8") as handle:
+            for line in handle:
+                stripped = line.strip()
+                if not stripped or stripped.startswith("#") or "=" not in stripped:
+                    continue
+                key, value = stripped.split("=", 1)
+                key = key.strip()
+                value = value.strip().strip('\'"')
+                if key and not os.getenv(key):
+                    os.environ[key] = value
+    except OSError:
+        pass
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diff --git a/core/__pycache__/views.cpython-311.pyc b/core/__pycache__/views.cpython-311.pyc
index 9d0ddd8..8d7005e 100644
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diff --git a/core/admin.py b/core/admin.py
index 639ff3a..c23db36 100644
--- a/core/admin.py
+++ b/core/admin.py
@@ -1,8 +1,8 @@
 from django.contrib import admin
-from .models import Ticket
+from .models import MembershipApplication
 
-@admin.register(Ticket)
-class TicketAdmin(admin.ModelAdmin):
-    list_display = ('subject', 'status', 'priority', 'requester_email', 'created_at')
-    list_filter = ('status', 'priority')
-    search_fields = ('subject', 'requester_email', 'description')
+@admin.register(MembershipApplication)
+class MembershipApplicationAdmin(admin.ModelAdmin):
+    list_display = ('name', 'email', 'desired_role', 'status', 'created_at')
+    list_filter = ('status', 'desired_role')
+    search_fields = ('name', 'email', 'statement')
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/core/forms.py b/core/forms.py
index 7a6b83b..caa454f 100644
--- a/core/forms.py
+++ b/core/forms.py
@@ -1,7 +1,12 @@
 from django import forms
-from .models import Ticket
+from .models import MembershipApplication
 
-class TicketForm(forms.ModelForm):
+class MembershipApplicationForm(forms.ModelForm):
     class Meta:
-        model = Ticket
-        fields = ['subject', 'requester_email', 'priority', 'description']
+        model = MembershipApplication
+        fields = ['name', 'email', 'desired_role', 'statement']
+        widgets = {
+            'name': forms.TextInput(attrs={'placeholder': 'Your Full Name'}),
+            'email': forms.EmailInput(attrs={'placeholder': 'Your Email Address'}),
+            'statement': forms.Textarea(attrs={'rows': 5, 'placeholder': 'Tell us a bit about yourself and your interest in joining the network.'}),
+        }
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/core/migrations/0002_membershipapplication_delete_ticket.py b/core/migrations/0002_membershipapplication_delete_ticket.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..12cecaf
--- /dev/null
+++ b/core/migrations/0002_membershipapplication_delete_ticket.py
@@ -0,0 +1,28 @@
+# Generated by Django 5.2.7 on 2025-11-23 17:23
+
+from django.db import migrations, models
+
+
+class Migration(migrations.Migration):
+
+    dependencies = [
+        ('core', '0001_initial'),
+    ]
+
+    operations = [
+        migrations.CreateModel(
+            name='MembershipApplication',
+            fields=[
+                ('id', models.BigAutoField(auto_created=True, primary_key=True, serialize=False, verbose_name='ID')),
+                ('name', models.CharField(max_length=100)),
+                ('email', models.EmailField(max_length=254, unique=True)),
+                ('desired_role', models.CharField(choices=[('FARMER', 'Farmer'), ('DRIVER', 'Driver'), ('COMMUNITY', 'Community Member')], max_length=20)),
+                ('statement', models.TextField()),
+                ('created_at', models.DateTimeField(auto_now_add=True)),
+                ('status', models.CharField(default='PENDING', max_length=20)),
+            ],
+        ),
+        migrations.DeleteModel(
+            name='Ticket',
+        ),
+    ]
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diff --git a/core/models.py b/core/models.py
index 78b60d1..4dadff7 100644
--- a/core/models.py
+++ b/core/models.py
@@ -1,25 +1,17 @@
 from django.db import models
 
-class Ticket(models.Model):
-    STATUS_CHOICES = [
-        ('open', 'Open'),
-        ('in_progress', 'In Progress'),
-        ('closed', 'Closed'),
+class MembershipApplication(models.Model):
+    ROLE_CHOICES = [
+        ('FARMER', 'Farmer'),
+        ('DRIVER', 'Driver'),
+        ('COMMUNITY', 'Community Member'),
     ]
-
-    PRIORITY_CHOICES = [
-        ('low', 'Low'),
-        ('medium', 'Medium'),
-        ('high', 'High'),
-    ]
-
-    subject = models.CharField(max_length=255)
-    status = models.CharField(max_length=20, choices=STATUS_CHOICES, default='open')
-    priority = models.CharField(max_length=20, choices=PRIORITY_CHOICES, default='medium')
-    requester_email = models.EmailField()
-    description = models.TextField()
+    name = models.CharField(max_length=100)
+    email = models.EmailField(unique=True)
+    desired_role = models.CharField(max_length=20, choices=ROLE_CHOICES)
+    statement = models.TextField()
     created_at = models.DateTimeField(auto_now_add=True)
-    updated_at = models.DateTimeField(auto_now=True)
+    status = models.CharField(max_length=20, default='PENDING') # PENDING, APPROVED, REJECTED
 
     def __str__(self):
-        return self.subject
\ No newline at end of file
+        return f"{self.name} ({self.email})"
diff --git a/core/templates/base.html b/core/templates/base.html
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..21e4918
--- /dev/null
+++ b/core/templates/base.html
@@ -0,0 +1,50 @@
+<!DOCTYPE html>
+<html lang="en">
+<head>
+    <meta charset="UTF-8">
+    <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1.0">
+    <title>{% block title %}Farm-to-Table Sovereignty Network{% endblock %}</title>
+    <link href="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/npm/bootstrap@5.3.3/dist/css/bootstrap.min.css" rel="stylesheet">
+    <link rel="preconnect" href="https://fonts.googleapis.com">
+    <link rel="preconnect" href="https://fonts.gstatic.com" crossorigin>
+    <link href="https://fonts.googleapis.com/css2?family=Roboto:wght@400;700&family=Roboto+Slab:wght@700&display=swap" rel="stylesheet">
+    {% load static %}
+    <link rel="stylesheet" href="{% static 'css/custom.css' %}">
+    {% block head %}{% endblock %}
+</head>
+<body>
+    <nav class="navbar navbar-expand-lg navbar-dark">
+        <div class="container">
+            <a class="navbar-brand" href="{% url 'home' %}">FTSN</a>
+            <button class="navbar-toggler" type="button" data-bs-toggle="collapse" data-bs-target="#navbarNav" aria-controls="navbarNav" aria-expanded="false" aria-label="Toggle navigation">
+                <span class="navbar-toggler-icon"></span>
+            </button>
+            <div class="collapse navbar-collapse" id="navbarNav">
+                <ul class="navbar-nav ms-auto">
+                    <li class="nav-item">
+                        <a class="nav-link" href="{% url 'home' %}#about">About</a>
+                    </li>
+                    <li class="nav-item">
+                        <a class="nav-link" href="{% url 'home' %}#roles">Roles</a>
+                    </li>
+                    <li class="nav-item">
+                        <a class="btn btn-accent" href="{% url 'apply_for_membership' %}">Apply for Membership</a>
+                    </li>
+                </ul>
+            </div>
+        </div>
+    </nav>
+
+    <main>
+        {% block content %}{% endblock %}
+    </main>
+
+    <footer class="footer mt-auto py-3">
+        <div class="container text-center">
+            <span class="text-muted">© 2025 Farm-to-Table Sovereignty Network. All Rights Reserved.</span>
+        </div>
+    </footer>
+
+    <script src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/npm/bootstrap@5.3.3/dist/js/bootstrap.bundle.min.js"></script>
+</body>
+</html>
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/core/templates/core/application_success.html b/core/templates/core/application_success.html
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..fb9170b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/core/templates/core/application_success.html
@@ -0,0 +1,19 @@
+{% extends 'base.html' %}
+
+{% block title %}Application Received | {{ block.super }}{% endblock %}
+
+{% block content %}
+<div class="container page-container text-center">
+    <div class="row justify-content-center">
+        <div class="col-md-8">
+            <div class="form-card">
+                <h1 class="display-4">Thank You!</h1>
+                <p class="lead">Your membership application has been received.</p>
+                <hr class="my-4">
+                <p>We are excited about your interest in joining our community. Your application will be reviewed by an administrator, and you will be notified of the decision via email.</p>
+                <a class="btn btn-primary btn-lg mt-3" href="{% url 'home' %}" role="button">Return to Homepage</a>
+            </div>
+        </div>
+    </div>
+</div>
+{% endblock %}
diff --git a/core/templates/core/apply.html b/core/templates/core/apply.html
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..f09e532
--- /dev/null
+++ b/core/templates/core/apply.html
@@ -0,0 +1,34 @@
+{% extends 'base.html' %}
+
+{% block title %}Apply for Membership | {{ block.super }}{% endblock %}
+
+{% block content %}
+<div class="container page-container">
+    <div class="row justify-content-center">
+        <div class="col-md-8">
+            <div class="form-card">
+                <h1 class="text-center mb-4">Join the Network</h1>
+                <p class="text-center mb-5">Complete the form below to apply for membership. Applications are reviewed by the assembly administrators. We welcome sovereign individuals dedicated to mutual aid and community resilience.</p>
+                <form method="post" novalidate>
+                    {% csrf_token %}
+                    {% for field in form %}
+                        <div class="mb-3">
+                            <label for="{{ field.id_for_label }}" class="form-label">{{ field.label }}</label>
+                            {{ field }}
+                            {% if field.help_text %}
+                                <small class="form-text text-muted">{{ field.help_text }}</small>
+                            {% endif %}
+                            {% for error in field.errors %}
+                                <div class="invalid-feedback d-block">{{ error }}</div>
+                            {% endfor %}
+                        </div>
+                    {% endfor %}
+                    <div class="d-grid">
+                        <button type="submit" class="btn btn-primary btn-lg">Submit Application</button>
+                    </div>
+                </form>
+            </div>
+        </div>
+    </div>
+</div>
+{% endblock %}
diff --git a/core/templates/core/article_detail.html b/core/templates/core/article_detail.html
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..8820990
--- /dev/null
+++ b/core/templates/core/article_detail.html
@@ -0,0 +1,14 @@
+{% extends 'base.html' %}
+
+{% block title %}{{ article.title }}{% endblock %}
+
+{% block content %}
+<div class="container mt-5">
+    <h1>{{ article.title }}</h1>
+    <p class="text-muted">Published on {{ article.created_at|date:"F d, Y" }}</p>
+    <hr>
+    <div>
+        {{ article.content|safe }}
+    </div>
+</div>
+{% endblock %}
diff --git a/core/templates/core/index.html b/core/templates/core/index.html
index f4e4991..0ff2804 100644
--- a/core/templates/core/index.html
+++ b/core/templates/core/index.html
@@ -1,157 +1,57 @@
-<!doctype html>
-<html lang="en">
+{% extends 'base.html' %}
 
-<head>
-    <meta charset="utf-8">
-    <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1">
-    <title>{{ project_name }}</title>
-    {% if project_description %}
-    <meta name="description" content="{{ project_description }}">
-    <meta property="og:description" content="{{ project_description }}">
-    <meta property="twitter:description" content="{{ project_description }}">
-    {% endif %}
-    {% if project_image_url %}
-    <meta property="og:image" content="{{ project_image_url }}">
-    <meta property="twitter:image" content="{{ project_image_url }}">
-    {% endif %}
-    <link rel="preconnect" href="https://fonts.googleapis.com">
-    <link rel="preconnect" href="https://fonts.gstatic.com" crossorigin>
-    <link href="https://fonts.googleapis.com/css2?family=Inter:wght@400;600;700&display=swap" rel="stylesheet">
-    <style>
-        :root {
-            --bg-color-start: #6a11cb;
-            --bg-color-end: #2575fc;
-            --text-color: #ffffff;
-            --card-bg-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.08);
-            --card-border-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.18);
-        }
+{% block content %}
+<div class="hero-section">
+    <div class="container">
+        <h1 class="display-3">Farm-to-Table Sovereignty Network</h1>
+        <p class="lead">Private cooperation among sovereign people for mutual aid and emergency preparedness.</p>
+        <a href="{% url 'apply_for_membership' %}" class="btn btn-accent btn-lg">Apply for Membership</a>
+    </div>
+</div>
 
-        * {
-            box-sizing: border-box;
-        }
-
-        body {
-            margin: 0;
-            font-family: 'Inter', sans-serif;
-            background: linear-gradient(130deg, var(--bg-color-start), var(--bg-color-end));
-            color: var(--text-color);
-            display: flex;
-            justify-content: center;
-            align-items: center;
-            min-height: 100vh;
-            text-align: center;
-            overflow: hidden;
-            position: relative;
-        }
-
-        body::before {
-            content: '';
-            position: absolute;
-            inset: 0;
-            background-image: url("data:image/svg+xml,<svg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' width='140' height='140' viewBox='0 0 140 140'><path d='M-20 20L160 20M20 -20L20 160' stroke-width='1' stroke='rgba(255,255,255,0.05)'/></svg>");
-            animation: bg-pan 24s linear infinite;
-            z-index: -1;
-        }
-
-        @keyframes bg-pan {
-            0% {
-                transform: translate3d(0, 0, 0);
-            }
-
-            100% {
-                transform: translate3d(-140px, -140px, 0);
-            }
-        }
-
-        main {
-            padding: clamp(2rem, 4vw, 3rem);
-            width: min(640px, 92vw);
-        }
-
-        .card {
-            background: var(--card-bg-color);
-            border: 1px solid var(--card-border-color);
-            border-radius: 20px;
-            padding: clamp(2rem, 4vw, 3rem);
-            backdrop-filter: blur(24px);
-            -webkit-backdrop-filter: blur(24px);
-            box-shadow: 0 20px 60px rgba(15, 23, 42, 0.35);
-        }
-
-        h1 {
-            margin: 0 0 1.2rem;
-            font-weight: 700;
-            font-size: clamp(2.2rem, 3vw + 1.3rem, 3rem);
-            letter-spacing: -0.04em;
-        }
-
-        p {
-            margin: 0.6rem 0;
-            font-size: 1.1rem;
-            line-height: 1.7;
-            opacity: 0.92;
-        }
-
-        .loader {
-            margin: 1.5rem auto;
-            width: 56px;
-            height: 56px;
-            border: 4px solid rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.25);
-            border-top-color: #fff;
-            border-radius: 50%;
-            animation: spin 1s linear infinite;
-        }
-
-        @keyframes spin {
-            to {
-                transform: rotate(360deg);
-            }
-        }
-
-        .sr-only {
-            position: absolute;
-            width: 1px;
-            height: 1px;
-            padding: 0;
-            margin: -1px;
-            overflow: hidden;
-            clip: rect(0, 0, 0, 0);
-            border: 0;
-        }
-
-        code {
-            background: rgba(15, 23, 42, 0.35);
-            padding: 0.2rem 0.6rem;
-            border-radius: 0.5rem;
-            font-size: 0.95rem;
-        }
-
-        footer {
-            margin-top: 2.4rem;
-            font-size: 0.86rem;
-            opacity: 0.7;
-        }
-    </style>
-</head>
-
-<body>
-    <main>
-        <div class="card">
-            <h1>Analyzing your requirements and generating your website…</h1>
-            <div class="loader" role="status" aria-live="polite" aria-label="Applying initial changes">
-                <span class="sr-only">Loading…</span>
+<section id="about" class="py-5">
+    <div class="container">
+        <div class="row">
+            <div class="col-lg-8 mx-auto text-center">
+                <h2 class="section-title">A Private Network for a Resilient Future</h2>
+                <p class="lead text-muted">We are a private, unincorporated association of living men and women operating under natural law. Our mission is to build a resilient food supply chain, independent of corporate and government systems, to support our communities, especially in times of crisis.</p>
             </div>
-            <p>Appwizzy AI is collecting your requirements and applying the first changes.</p>
-            <p>This page will refresh automatically as the plan is implemented.</p>
-            <p>
-                Runtime: Django <code>{{ django_version }}</code> · Python <code>{{ python_version }}</code> —
-                UTC <code>{{ current_time|date:"Y-m-d H:i:s" }}</code>
-            </p>
         </div>
-        <footer>
-            Page updated: {{ current_time|date:"Y-m-d H:i:s" }} (UTC)
-        </footer>
-    </main>
-</body>
+    </div>
+</section>
 
-</html>
\ No newline at end of file
+<section id="roles" class="py-5 bg-light">
+    <div class="container">
+        <div class="text-center mb-5">
+            <h2 class="section-title">Our Member Roles</h2>
+            <p class="lead text-muted">Each member plays a vital part in the strength of our network.</p>
+        </div>
+        <div class="row">
+            <div class="col-md-4">
+                <div class="card h-100 text-center p-4">
+                    <div class="card-body">
+                        <h3 class="card-title">Farmers</h3>
+                        <p class="card-text">Post available food and produce from your private land. Set your own terms for private exchange and connect directly with other members.</p>
+                    </div>
+                </div>
+            </div>
+            <div class="col-md-4">
+                <div class="card h-100 text-center p-4">
+                    <div class="card-body">
+                        <h3 class="card-title">Drivers</h3>
+                        <p class="card-text">Offer transport assistance using your private vehicle. Help move resources between farmers and communities through private agreements.</p>
+                    </div>
+                </div>
+            </div>
+            <div class="col-md-4">
+                <div class="card h-100 text-center p-4">
+                    <div class="card-body">
+                        <h3 class="card-title">Community</h3>
+                        <p class="card-text">Access available food through private exchange. Connect with local farmers and drivers to ensure your family and community have what they need.</p>
+                    </div>
+                </div>
+            </div>
+        </div>
+    </div>
+</section>
+{% endblock %}
diff --git a/core/urls.py b/core/urls.py
index 6299e3d..054cc61 100644
--- a/core/urls.py
+++ b/core/urls.py
@@ -1,7 +1,8 @@
 from django.urls import path
-
-from .views import home
+from .views import home, apply_for_membership, application_success
 
 urlpatterns = [
     path("", home, name="home"),
-]
+    path("apply/", apply_for_membership, name="apply_for_membership"),
+    path("application-success/", application_success, name="application_success"),
+]
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/core/views.py b/core/views.py
index c1a6d45..13fadf6 100644
--- a/core/views.py
+++ b/core/views.py
@@ -1,37 +1,18 @@
-import os
-import platform
-
-from django import get_version as django_version
-from django.shortcuts import render
-from django.urls import reverse_lazy
-from django.utils import timezone
-from django.views.generic.edit import CreateView
-
-from .forms import TicketForm
-from .models import Ticket
-
+from django.shortcuts import render, redirect
+from .forms import MembershipApplicationForm
 
 def home(request):
-    """Render the landing screen with loader and environment details."""
-    host_name = request.get_host().lower()
-    agent_brand = "AppWizzy" if host_name == "appwizzy.com" else "Flatlogic"
-    now = timezone.now()
+    return render(request, "core/index.html")
 
-    context = {
-        "project_name": "New Style",
-        "agent_brand": agent_brand,
-        "django_version": django_version(),
-        "python_version": platform.python_version(),
-        "current_time": now,
-        "host_name": host_name,
-        "project_description": os.getenv("PROJECT_DESCRIPTION", ""),
-        "project_image_url": os.getenv("PROJECT_IMAGE_URL", ""),
-    }
-    return render(request, "core/index.html", context)
+def apply_for_membership(request):
+    if request.method == 'POST':
+        form = MembershipApplicationForm(request.POST)
+        if form.is_valid():
+            form.save()
+            return redirect('application_success')
+    else:
+        form = MembershipApplicationForm()
+    return render(request, 'core/apply.html', {'form': form})
 
-
-class TicketCreateView(CreateView):
-    model = Ticket
-    form_class = TicketForm
-    template_name = "core/ticket_create.html"
-    success_url = reverse_lazy("home")
+def application_success(request):
+    return render(request, 'core/application_success.html')
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/static/css/custom.css b/static/css/custom.css
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..3c2592e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/static/css/custom.css
@@ -0,0 +1,114 @@
+/* Farm-to-Table Sovereignty Network Custom Styles */
+
+:root {
+    --primary-color: #2E4636; /* Deep Earth Green */
+    --secondary-color: #5D4037; /* Warm Soil Brown */
+    --accent-color: #FFC107; /* Sun-kissed Gold */
+    --neutral-bg: #F5F5DC; /* Light Parchment */
+    --text-color: #333333;
+    --light-text-color: #f8f9fa;
+    --heading-font: 'Roboto Slab', serif;
+    --body-font: 'Roboto', sans-serif;
+}
+
+body {
+    font-family: var(--body-font);
+    color: var(--text-color);
+    background-color: #fff;
+}
+
+h1, h2, h3, h4, h5, h6, .h1, .h2, .h3, .h4, .h5, .h6 {
+    font-family: var(--heading-font);
+    font-weight: 700;
+}
+
+.navbar {
+    background-color: var(--primary-color);
+}
+
+.navbar-brand {
+    font-family: var(--heading-font);
+    font-weight: 700;
+    font-size: 1.5rem;
+}
+
+.btn-primary {
+    background-color: var(--primary-color);
+    border-color: var(--primary-color);
+}
+
+.btn-primary:hover {
+    background-color: #1e2d23;
+    border-color: #1e2d23;
+}
+
+.btn-accent {
+    background-color: var(--accent-color);
+    border-color: var(--accent-color);
+    color: var(--text-color);
+}
+
+.btn-accent:hover {
+    background-color: #e0a800;
+    border-color: #d39e00;
+    color: var(--text-color);
+}
+
+.hero-section {
+    background: linear-gradient(rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.5), rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.5)), url('/static/img/hero-background.webp') no-repeat center center;
+    background-size: cover;
+    padding: 8rem 0;
+    text-align: center;
+    color: var(--light-text-color);
+}
+
+.hero-section .lead {
+    font-size: 1.4rem;
+    max-width: 700px;
+    margin: 1rem auto 2rem;
+}
+
+.section-title {
+    color: var(--primary-color);
+    margin-bottom: 1rem;
+}
+
+#roles .card {
+    border: 1px solid #ddd;
+    transition: transform 0.3s ease, box-shadow 0.3s ease;
+}
+
+#roles .card:hover {
+    transform: translateY(-5px);
+    box-shadow: 0 8px 20px rgba(0,0,0,0.1);
+}
+
+.footer {
+    background-color: #f8f9fa;
+}
+
+/* Form Styles */
+.page-container {
+    padding: 4rem 0;
+}
+
+.form-card {
+    background: #fff;
+    border-radius: 8px;
+    padding: 2rem;
+    box-shadow: 0 4px 15px rgba(0,0,0,0.1);
+}
+
+.form-card h1 {
+    color: var(--primary-color);
+}
+
+.form-control, .form-select {
+    min-height: 48px;
+    border-radius: 6px;
+}
+
+.form-control:focus, .form-select:focus {
+    border-color: var(--primary-color);
+    box-shadow: 0 0 0 0.25rem rgba(46, 70, 54, 0.25);
+}
diff --git a/static/img/hero-background.webp b/static/img/hero-background.webp
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..d190198
Binary files /dev/null and b/static/img/hero-background.webp differ
diff --git a/staticfiles/css/custom.css b/staticfiles/css/custom.css
index 108056f..3c2592e 100644
--- a/staticfiles/css/custom.css
+++ b/staticfiles/css/custom.css
@@ -1,21 +1,114 @@
+/* Farm-to-Table Sovereignty Network Custom Styles */
 
 :root {
-    --bg-color-start: #6a11cb;
-    --bg-color-end: #2575fc;
-    --text-color: #ffffff;
-    --card-bg-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.01);
-    --card-border-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.1);
+    --primary-color: #2E4636; /* Deep Earth Green */
+    --secondary-color: #5D4037; /* Warm Soil Brown */
+    --accent-color: #FFC107; /* Sun-kissed Gold */
+    --neutral-bg: #F5F5DC; /* Light Parchment */
+    --text-color: #333333;
+    --light-text-color: #f8f9fa;
+    --heading-font: 'Roboto Slab', serif;
+    --body-font: 'Roboto', sans-serif;
 }
+
 body {
-    margin: 0;
-    font-family: 'Inter', sans-serif;
-    background: linear-gradient(45deg, var(--bg-color-start), var(--bg-color-end));
+    font-family: var(--body-font);
     color: var(--text-color);
-    display: flex;
-    justify-content: center;
-    align-items: center;
-    min-height: 100vh;
-    text-align: center;
-    overflow: hidden;
-    position: relative;
+    background-color: #fff;
+}
+
+h1, h2, h3, h4, h5, h6, .h1, .h2, .h3, .h4, .h5, .h6 {
+    font-family: var(--heading-font);
+    font-weight: 700;
+}
+
+.navbar {
+    background-color: var(--primary-color);
+}
+
+.navbar-brand {
+    font-family: var(--heading-font);
+    font-weight: 700;
+    font-size: 1.5rem;
+}
+
+.btn-primary {
+    background-color: var(--primary-color);
+    border-color: var(--primary-color);
+}
+
+.btn-primary:hover {
+    background-color: #1e2d23;
+    border-color: #1e2d23;
+}
+
+.btn-accent {
+    background-color: var(--accent-color);
+    border-color: var(--accent-color);
+    color: var(--text-color);
+}
+
+.btn-accent:hover {
+    background-color: #e0a800;
+    border-color: #d39e00;
+    color: var(--text-color);
+}
+
+.hero-section {
+    background: linear-gradient(rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.5), rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.5)), url('/static/img/hero-background.webp') no-repeat center center;
+    background-size: cover;
+    padding: 8rem 0;
+    text-align: center;
+    color: var(--light-text-color);
+}
+
+.hero-section .lead {
+    font-size: 1.4rem;
+    max-width: 700px;
+    margin: 1rem auto 2rem;
+}
+
+.section-title {
+    color: var(--primary-color);
+    margin-bottom: 1rem;
+}
+
+#roles .card {
+    border: 1px solid #ddd;
+    transition: transform 0.3s ease, box-shadow 0.3s ease;
+}
+
+#roles .card:hover {
+    transform: translateY(-5px);
+    box-shadow: 0 8px 20px rgba(0,0,0,0.1);
+}
+
+.footer {
+    background-color: #f8f9fa;
+}
+
+/* Form Styles */
+.page-container {
+    padding: 4rem 0;
+}
+
+.form-card {
+    background: #fff;
+    border-radius: 8px;
+    padding: 2rem;
+    box-shadow: 0 4px 15px rgba(0,0,0,0.1);
+}
+
+.form-card h1 {
+    color: var(--primary-color);
+}
+
+.form-control, .form-select {
+    min-height: 48px;
+    border-radius: 6px;
+}
+
+.form-control:focus, .form-select:focus {
+    border-color: var(--primary-color);
+    box-shadow: 0 0 0 0.25rem rgba(46, 70, 54, 0.25);
 }
diff --git a/staticfiles/img/hero-background.webp b/staticfiles/img/hero-background.webp
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..d190198
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