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Elisabet

This course must be the most dynamic course I have ever had the pleasure of participating in. First day of class, and we take the classroom off the grid (not to mention rethinking the lights to a more humane reasonability). I personally left that day with dirt under my fingernails, nice rich soil from transplanting basil in the greenhouse. If I could have asked for more I never in a million years could have thought of what.

Of course, with dynamism comes the eddies of still air whirling forth, being pulled into the flow. Long-slumbering passion and inspirations come tumbling forth, and there are not enough hours in the day to pursue all these avenues rich with wisdom . . . may I soak all of it up like an infinite sponge. Times like these illustrate to me what it is to be alive - life sparkles and folds into boundless depths, sweet - and all the days come like sunshine.

I wish I had kept up with this blog like I had intended; instead I have been applying myself to extra and other activities. This past Thursday a few of us traveled to Grinnell College to attend a seminar called Changing the Climate on Campus. It was a behind-the-scenes look at the various aspects we are all faced with in trying to make our campuses more realistic to the measures that we as people need to take to become sustainable on this planet. We talked about ways to most intelligently reduce energy consumption and heard encouraging examples of campuses who were able to switch to at least part wind energy. We also heard about the many aspects of success schools have had by switching to energy-efficiency buildings -- everything from no-cost improvements (because the cost of energy-efficiency pays for itself within a few years and the years following are straight savings) to improved academic acheivement from students who were able to attend classes in natural-light classrooms. We were also told of a national event called Powershift, which I am hoping to attend:http://www.powershift07.org. At the end of the day, we had the opportunity to visit a cafeteria to see their compost pulper - this awesome machine took cafeteria waste and "pulped" it into a cole-slaw looking grind. I'm talking about a vermicomposter's dream, now! All of the waste fit into a 55-gallon bin, and that from probably two or three times as many more people than attend our campus here (we fill three of the same size bins per meal).

After the amazing pulping machine (simplicity astounds, no?) we stopped by the artsy community gardens in Grinnell, and then strolled through the Farmer's Market, winding up its last day of the season. I picked up some local non-GMO organic popcorn for the folks back home.

Friday October 12:

I love Andy Goldsworthy. I had been introduced to his work via an artbook and someone who knows me well a few years back . . . but I had no idea that there was a documentary about him. If I'm not in love, then I am hero-worshipping. So, we watched Rivers and Tides, and it is phenomenal. Well, it's phenomenal for the person who understands the philosophy with which he approaches his work. I am looking forward to Monday afternoon when we will be making our own Andy Goldsworthy/Nature tributes by way of absolutely natural and certainly ephemeral art outdoors.

After lunch we are treated to a lovely impromptu performance from Will Tuttle, author of The World Peace Diet. He played "Dance For the Arctic Moon," and it was enchanting. Then he talked to our class about veganism and world peace. Although I aim to be as cruelty-free as I possibly can be, I have started re-thinking the overall arc again. Until now I had no problem with the idea of keeping animals on my Permacultured paradise, but now - intensifying the idea of Grow-Biointensive - I don't know . . . how necessary it is . . . The answer is neither here nor there for me right now, but somewhere in the distance when I reach it.

Saturday, October 13:

Our class tries to untangle further still the mystery of the importance of veganism and how that relates to how we will find and create resources.

Monday, October 15:

We took a breather in class today, catching up with the status of our projects in class, and then we spent a lovely afternoon unwinding in the winds. On the banks of a local reservoir we took inspiration from nature and sculpted effigies to earth's little miracles. I enjoyed all of the artwork, but I found special delight in the tree ladders (which I did not get a picture of) and the permanent five o'clock shadow cast by a pine . .

Tuesday, October 16:

I have contacted the trip coordinator for Powershift '07 to reserve a seat on teh bus.

I'd write about being excited about it, but it just won't translate into words. . . however, what does translate is the joy of moving into our new classroom just installed with daylighting!! To save time, here's some photos, beginning with our windowless cell, a look into our new home, and the reinstallation of solar power to the classroom for the computers and projector . . . and just because there's space, our class compost project.

Anyhow, I found this article on the Permaculture Magazine website about natural swimming pools, which is the project for the group I am working in. Here's my quick summary:

"Taking the Plunge Naturally:" The U.K. dives into natural swimming pools

There is something infinitely more refreshing about emerging from a body of natural water instead of crawling from a pool drenched in chemicals. A new take on swimming has repaired nature's pond back to the backyard, and Michael Littlewood shares his experience with this divine elevation in Permaculture Magazine No. 26.

Littlewood tells us that a natural swimming pool can be constructed more affordably than can a conventional chemical bather, which requires concrete and a host of, well, chemicals enough to turn any householder into a hobby chemist. Additionally, some of the construction can be done by the homeowner if they so desire, thus cutting out the financial and environmental expense of construction equipment. Although doing the labor oneself does not sound like a time-saving device, after the completion of the pool maintenance is required only once a year, to check filters, skimmers, and remove dead plants.

The pool is divided into two zones, one for swimming, and one for rejuvenation. They sound like one and the same, but because swimming is rejuvenating itself, the rejuvenation zone is reserved for plants only, in order to create a zone of bio-filtration. Aquatic plants take up nutrients through their roots, filtering out waste products in order to keep the water healthy and clean. They create a visually refreshing edge to the swimming pond, blending nature into our aquatic haven. Another way that these pools bring us closer to nature is through the wildlife that they attract and support.

Aside from creating harmony, the plants used for filtration may have multiple uses. For instance, Littlewood built a natural pool with an edible garden, and certainly many of the aquatic filtration plants boast a great many uses. With all of the reasons to build natural pools and no reason to continue with the conventional commercial ones, I think we can all appreciate the beauty of this intelligent design.

Tuesday, October 23:

I find that my blog has turned into more of a summary than anything else . . .**sigh**. . . Early last week I took some footage at a local mini-sawmill. It truly raises the question, why don't we delegate local land to harvest lumber locally? It would be a boon to the local economy (read "community," where we are all included!), as well as assure that the community had easy access to very affordable lumber that was responsibly planned and harvested (at no additional cost)!

• lumbervid.mpeg

Wednesday, October 24:

My group made it through the group presentation of the natural swimming pools designed for Surya Nagar. --And, AND I had the pleasure and privelege of being taken up in a tiny two-seater plane (designed for acrobatics, even!!) to take aerial photos of some of our project areas!! What an awesome way to begin the day!!

I always become a bit melancholy at the end of a class that I really really like. I tell myself, "It is good to finish, that you may carry out these teachings into the world and perhaps become a teacher in your own right!" However, we are all students of life, so it makes the more formal transitions more nostalgic. With what words can I say, "OMG, this has been the best class that has ever left me feeling utterly wrung out and not certain that I excelled!!"? By catching a glimpse of the uttermost heights of potential existence I indulge in my bittersweet reflections now, thirsting ever for a rational world of diversified community. **sigh, sigh, sigh**

So, speaking of reflections, I absolutely, positively MUST say something about the Tallgrass Bioneers conference I was able to attend this past weekend. This annual and remarkable showcase of positive energy is NOT TO BE MISSED!! I thought my Permaculture class was uplifting, but this conference was even more so, if only because I could see that the attitudes which have fueled my life radiate back to me from true pioneers . . . in a way, I wish I could be the first, but really it is much better that I am a follower here. I don't think I've ever had the strength that these people do to develop a vision, and I found something that has always been at a lack in my life - heroes and heroines. Sadly I cought a bug the evening before our departure, and by the last day did not feel well at all, and so missed a few presentations. However, as one of our Sustainable Living Retrofit Designers Troy Van Beek said, they should make these presentations available to the American public all day, every day, on a dedicated channel. The speakers really focused on the positive, and everyone was uplifted, inspired to go and create positive change in their respective communities and around the world.

My two favorite speakers were Judy Wicks, who spoke on local living economies, and Evon Peter, who voiced a call on behalf of the native American people. Judy told the story about her famous White Dog Cafe http://www.whitedog.com and how she and the cafe evolved into practices such as paying living wages to her employees, buying local produce grown organically and how that it has strengthened the community. Her story unfolds even further so that rather than trying to become a niche restaurant, she opened up trade between farmers and restaurants so that more restaurants held the same practice that hers did, supporting the local economy and creating a sense of individuality in this ever-homogenizing world. I was very impressed and inspired by the story of hers and White Dog's transition, and as a person who does not become overly excited at the prospect of business, I saw what I could accomplish for a community as a business owner, and that was tantalizing. Evon's speech was of sterner stuff, and he addressed a topic that has been haunting my heart for some time: How do the indigenous people feel about the European settlement now? I was not surprised that he asked that we take the responsibilty that we wrested from the stewards of this land over the last 170 years, and I listened humbly to his speech. Evon highlighted what I've known for a while that is universal: disrespect for the earth is disresrect for all of Earth's creatures, human and non, and disrespect for the family that we each are a member of.

There was a workshop over indigenous views, but unfortuneately I noted the location incorrectly. I am hoping to find a class member who attended that workshop so I can discover what was said.

Thursday, October 25

Today is going to be showcase of our talent . . . This ought to be a fun way to relax from all of the last-minute details. I made a video about fruit gleaning, the practice of sharing your neighbor's surplus as it ripens over sidewalks or falls to the curbside. To do so, I interviewed Brian Robbins, who presented water and forest systems to our class. He helps with a marvelous place near downtown Fairfield, abounding with fruit trees and herbs and other delights. Here is the link to my directorial debut

Since I am on the subject of summaries, here is another webspot for some people who came through Fairfield. Emile and Gautier are (or were, by now) taking a bike tour across America to see what Americans are doing for sustainability. Here is their blogspot: http://foodstepsusa.blogspot.com/2007/09/first-5-days.html

Thursday, November 8

This past weekend I attended a momentous conference called Powershift 2007. The first time I heard about Powershift I was working on a Step It Up campaign to bring a moratorium on coal plant construction and participating with the Sierra Club in the Cool Cities Mayor's Climate Agreement groups to bring action that would result in the lowering of greenhouse gases. Powershift was mentioned, and I knew that's where I should be.

Imagine my surprise some many months later - when I thought Powershift had already happened - to discover myself there! Not at a subsequent Powershift event, but present for the intial celebration that we will see the proper steps taken to ensure the best future we can secure through environmental stewardship and sustainable practices.

We took a bus from Iowa City, leaving in the early afternoon and driving straight to late registration on the campus of Maryland University in College Park Saturday morning. We were a little late to catch any but the final moments of the first panels. There were so many great panels to choose from - that is always the conundrum with large events - but I decided to listen to Ralph Nader. His speech inspired and ensured us that the youth are not the only ones seeing special interests trump the interests of life and sustainability.

After a break for lunch I went to a panel hosted by the two authors of Break Through and Death of Environmentalism, Ted Nordhaus and Michael Shellenberger. They talked about how it could be that we are asking the wrong questions and focusing on the wrong issues, and thus arrive at stalemates when it comes to changing national energy policies. In summary, there has been a debate in this country for quite some time over whether we should implement a carbon cap, but they argue that capping carbon emissions will not help to reduce the national footprint, that instead we should focus on the positive aspects of creating energy efficiency so that corporations will move naturally towards those viable alternatives. Theirs was an in-depth look towards solutions that would be more easily, positively embraced, and quite inspiring. I heard echoes of the type of thinking that Lonnie encourages in class - that of energy efficiency and how we can reduce so much of our resource need and not suffer any quality of life if we just think smarter, not harder.

The third round of panels ended, and the next event brought students from the same states and regions together. I am excited to say that the Iowa students are building a network, from UI to Grinnell to of course MUM. There were around 50 students from Iowa alone, and several more from the region - probably about 75 students in all. We will be better able to present the sincerity of our concerns to state and national oficials as a unified corps while sharing strength and support amongst ourselves -- and, I met some really great, inspiring people.

Everyone gathered back into the UM Student Activities Fieldhouse that evening to hear keynote speakers and a few performing artists. There were more can-do speeches and congratulatory speeches and general inspirations . . a surprise appearance from Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi - that does speak encouragingly for the direction that Congress should be taking. Evon Peter spoke, Bill McKibben was excellent, there was some phenomenal slam-poetry, and Van Jones wrapped up the evening with humor and vision. Then we were off to check into our motel and enjoy some much-appreciated slumber.

To be continued . . .

Sunday Workshop I Workshop II Breifing Training 11th Hour

Monday Lobbying Rally Bringing it back to Fairfield