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This weekend support MUM alumni & local sustainability leaders at EcoFairfied! http://ecofairfield.wordpress.com/ 

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Another amazing MUM Sustainable Living Alumni Success Story!

Josef Franz Biechler, Project Manager/Science Liezon at the Tropical Farming Systems Trial located in Santa Clara, Alajuela, Costa Rica has spent the last year developing new information in his field of carbon farming and has just begun publications with the Rodale Institute and the Tropical Farming Systems Trial as new partnership. 

http://rodaleinstitute.org/regenerative-organic-agriculture-and-climate-change/

"Give it a read and become inspired to carbon farm. We can reverse climate change! Many thanks and so much gratitude to Tom, and Terry Newmark, for their hours of effort and generosity in supporting and coordinating this research, and as well to the Matamoros family for providing the physical space for this research to be conducted. I feel incredibly lucky and enriched to be a part of this team."

- Josef Biechler

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We were chosen for inclusion in “The Princeton Review’s Guide to 332 Green Colleges: 2014 Edition"

We were chosen for inclusion in “The Princeton Review’s Guide to 332 Green Colleges: 2014 Edition"—a free, downloadable book that we will release today, April 17, just before the April 22 celebration of Earth Day. This guide has been published for five years in partnership with the U.S. Green Building Council's Center for Green Schools & is the only free, comprehensive resource for college applicants that focuses solely on saluting colleges that have demonstrated a strong commitment to the environment and to sustainability. The guide can be downloaded at:Center for Green Schools' site at www.centerforgreenschools.org/greenguide. The review chose the schools for this guide based on the “Green Rating” scores they tallied in 2013 for 832 schools and reported in summer 2013 in our school profiles on our site and our college guidebooks. The Green Rating (a score from 60 to 99) is compiled using data from a survey they annually conduct among hundreds of school administrators about their school's environmental and sustainability-related policies, practices and academic offerings. (Information about our Green Rating is at http://www.princetonreview.com/green.) The 332 schools we feature in the "Guide to 332 Green Colleges" for 2014 earned scores of 83 or higher in our summer 2013 Green Rating tallies.  More: http://www.princetonreview.com/green-guide.aspx

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Eco Fairfield Presents Naturewise Academy

April Launch Events WHEN? 4/26 @ 4:30-6:30pm WHAT? Movie Screening & Discussion WHERE? Fairfield Public Library

WHEN? 4/27 @ 3:30pm WHAT? Garden Dedication & Planting WHERE? 404 N. 3rd St. "St. Marys"

April 26th Documentary Film Screening: Simple. Sustainable. Solutions.

BACK TO EDEN

"CAPTIVATING from the first minute to the last" -Dr. Vard Ganor

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Shot during Green Leadership Adventure, a Maharishi University of Management rotating university program on Big Island, Hawaii /// December 28, 2013—January 17, 2014 This overview contains a diverse collection of prominent leaders of sustainability from Big Island, Hawaii.

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Introduction to Biodynamics for the Home Gardener with Dr. A. Thimmaiah

Here is a link to the Facebook event for this course:  https://www.facebook.com/events/239454396240757/

Please join and share!

Introduction to Biodynamics for the Home Gardener 

with Dr. A. Thimmaiah

April 12th 

at Maharishi University of Management

New Sustainable Living Center RM 12

  Biodynamic agriculture is an advanced state of organic farming.  In addition to replacing poisonous fertilizers and pesticides with composts and natural pest repellents, biodynamic  farming  uses lunar rhythms. All farm operations use a set of nine special preparations in homeopathic doses to nourish the soil and crops. In other words, it mimics the forest's natural ecosystem.  Farmers can produce a superior quality of food in their farm or garden by utilizing the locally available natural resources.

This an introductory lecture for a series of hands on workshops.  This lecture in not required to take the hands on course but it is strongly recommended. Participants will receive a free 2014 Farming Lunar Calender. 

Dr.Thimmaiah is a world renowned expert in organic and biodynamic agriculture systems. He has developed many low-cost farming solutions and advised  various international organizations, agri-business corporations, governments, and NGOs in India, Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Italy, Holland, and Costa Rica.

Course Fee: $15.00 (includes 2014 Farming Lunar Calender)

Leanne Hays Administrator

Sustainable Living Department

Maharishi University of Management

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Volunteer Opportunity at Fairfield's Farm-To-School Greenhouse - Please Share

Getting ready for the Greenhouse open house…  April 4th in the afternoon. 

Here’s the list of projects to complete:

Move 3 truckloads of wood chips into the greenhouse – along the foundation.  (I have 4 wheelbarrows & plenty of shovels) maybe 12 people and most of a day.  

Hang the 20 inoculated mushroom logs in the rafters of the greenhouse  ( I have ladders and wire and need 2-3 people; 2-3 hours)

Plant 12 trays of certified organic seeds for transfer into the soil (later) need 1-2 people, and 3-4 hours  Will pay you in Seed Saver leftover seeds.

Move 2 picnic tables from my house to the greenhouse grounds… (need a truck and couple of strong people)

Address and mail invitations to VIP’s (this week)  1 person, 3 hours. Start ASAP

 Let me know what project you've got your eye on… I’ll save it for you! 

Everything is out at the Greenhouse: 1000 W Stone.   Between the SVK building and the railroad tracks.  I take the gravel driveway between Pete Nelson’s place and Schaus Vorhies building.  Park out of the way… SVK has trucks that like that road, too. 

Jan Swinton

Hometown Harvest of Southeast Iowa

304 S Maple St.

Fairfield, IA 52556

641-472-6177

cell 641-751-9061

HometownHarvestSEIowa.org

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2014 ECOFESTIVAL GREEN FAIR, WORKSHOPS, & MORE - April 26th - Kickoff / April 27th - May 3rd - Activities

Showcasing local vendors, crafters, growers, and bakers, workshops for kids & adults, and live music. This year's event features a Seed Exchange hosted by Seed Savers and Culture All workshops  (cultureall.org)

Like our facebooks! https://www.facebook.com/pages/EcoJam-Fairfield/402892896514178 https://www.facebook.com/EcoFairfield

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2014 ECOFAIRFIELD COMMUNITY GARDEN LAUNCH - Sunday April 27th

Dedicated to crating community enjoyment and individual health through local food, food security and indigenous practices.

The community garden offers volunteer opportunities, workshops, mentor-ship, farmers' markets, and freshly picked produce.

- Matthew Lindberg-Work

matthew@fairfieldgreen.org Like our facebooks! https://www.facebook.com/pages/EcoJam-Fairfield/402892896514178 https://www.facebook.com/EcoFairfield

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2014 ECOFESTIVAL CHAUTAUQUA - Sunday, April 27th

"Celebrate spring, culture, and community! Musicians, experts, and performers engage all ages. Free and open to the public." - Matthew Lindberg-Work

matthew@fairfieldgreen.org Like our facebooks! https://www.facebook.com/pages/EcoJam-Fairfield/402892896514178 https://www.facebook.com/EcoFairfield

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2014 ECOJAM FASHION SHOW: Saturday, May 3rd A Fairfield-born tradition fostering creativity of local and international designers, to transform the fashion industry into something ethical and fun!

Every designer has a unique twist on sustainability utilizing organic fabrics, upcycled or recycled materials. Like our facebooks! https://www.facebook.com/pages/EcoJam-Fairfield/402892896514178 https://www.facebook.com/EcoFairfield

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2014 ECOFESTIVAL MAIN EVENTS: APRIL 26TH, 2014 - MAY 3RD, 2014

"Community generosity is the fuel that makes Fairfield move. We are seeking sponsorship's so that we can market the EcoFestival to the widest possible audience, with free educational events included. All donations are greatly appreciated" -Matthew Lindberg-Work matthew@faifieldgreen.org Like our facebooks! https://www.facebook.com/pages/EcoJam-Fairfield/402892896514178 https://www.facebook.com/EcoFairfield

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Interested in volunteering to renovate the water facilities of Fairfield? Here is your chance to get great sustainable water experience with some of MUM's best sustainable living students and staff! Contact Jason Nelson for details on how you can join in! (516) 643-3811

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http://www.mum.edu/sustainable-living 

For their October Natural Building class, a group of 12 MUM Sustainable Living students traveled to the Texas desert, where they spent 11 days constructing a 14 x 14ft. adobe house made primarily from local materials. Working with their instructor, MUM Sustainable Living Workshop Director Mark Stimson, the students began their work on campus, creating a plan and estimating the amount of materials they would need. For the post-and-beam frame, they harvested and trimmed dead spruce trees on campus. They also prepared and canned all their food in advance.  Another major project before they left: learning metalwork so they could make machetes for harvesting the river cane they would need for thatching the roof. The desert site is just north of Big Bend National Park, 80 miles from the nearest town on a road too rugged for ordinary cars.  They traveled from the MUM campus in Fairfield, Iowa, via the Sustainable Living Department bus, which is powered by biodiesel fuel that was made by the students and staff member Steve Fugate. Once on site, the students learned to sift the soil used for the bricks, moisten it with water, and then use forms to create the bricks. Once skilled, they were able to make a brick in less than a minute. But then the 850 bricks — all 17,000 lbs. of them — had to be carried up a long hill. The students formed a chain, and accomplished the task with aplomb. Then they harvested local giant river cane (Arundo donax) with the machetes they’d made. Tied into bundles, the river cane served as a waterproof thatched roof. The finished adobe house will be used as a bunkhouse and field research station. MUM’s block system — one full-time course per month — makes it easy for students to undertake intense projects like this, along with internships and other classes that involve travel. In addition to learning practical construction skills, the students had the opportunity to experience an extraordinary landscape that includes deep vertical canyons, distant mountains, and rock-outcroppings dating back 500 million years, fossils, petrified wood, and a hot spring on the Rio Grande River.  "It was a transformative experience," Mr. Stimson said. "They’ve never seen anything like this desert, with its vast scale. The heights and distances reset your perspective on things." "The students were confronted with many challenges in this remote desert region," said Stimson, "but in the process they learned a lot about teamwork, leadership, self-sufficiency, and how to be flexible in the changing conditions they encountered." Sustainable Living Co-director Lonnie Gamble says: “We’re learning how to use local natural materials….More broadly, we’re also learning about how we can work with Nature, how we can connect with Nature….At MUM, we also have an inner connection with Nature through Transcendental Meditation.” For more videos about MUM’s unique system of Consciousness-Based education, visit our Video Café: http://www.mum.edu/video-cafe Maharishi University of Management (MUM) offers undergraduate and graduate degree programs in the arts, sciences, business, and humanities. The University is accredited through the doctoral level by the Higher Learning Commission. Founded in 1971 by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, the University features Consciousness-Based education to develop students’ inner potential. All students and faculty practice the Transcendental Meditation technique, which extensive published research has found boosts learning ability, improves brain functioning, and reduces stress. Maharishi University uses the block system in which each student takes one course at a time. Students report they learn more without the stress of taking 4-5 courses at once. The University has a strong focus on sustainability and natural health, and serves organic vegetarian meals. The B.S. in Sustainable Living is MUM’s most popular undergraduate major. Maharishi University of Management http://www.mum.edu Consciousness-Based education http://www.mum.edu/cbe/ Transcendental Meditation http://www.mum.edu/tm.html Research http://www.mum.edu/tm_resea…… Block system http://www.mum.edu/cbe/bloc… Sustainability http://www.mum.edu/sustaina… Natural health http://www.mum.edu/cbe/natu…… Organic veg meals http://www.mum.edu/campus/d… BS Sustainable Living http://www.mum.edu/sustaina…

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Maharishi University of Management’s blog for the Sustainable Living Department. Topics include renewable energy, agriculture, natural building, policy and social change, soil biology, and the fundamentals of sustainability.

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Living Soil Lab Offers First Time Ever Course to the Public - Cultivating the Soil Food Web and Enhancing Plant Productivity

Have you ever wanted to make compost and wound up with a stinky, fly infested mess?  Ever made successful compost but were unsure how to go about making compost tea and applying it?  Maybe you know a bit about soil biology but aren't sure of the specifics, or how to go about learning what biology is in your soil.  Now, at last, there is an opportunity to have all your questions answered and learn to work with your soil to improve the health of your garden or farm.  The Living Soil Lab at Maharishi University of Management is offering its first time ever course to the public: Cultivating the Soil Food Web and Enhancing Plant Productivity.   During the four day course Sustainable Living graduates Molly Haviland and Zach Write, as well as Soil Lab manager Jacob Isaacs will teach you about the soil food web, nutrient cycling, decomposition, and how to use a microscope.  You will build your own aerobic, thermal compost pile, use a microscope to assess soil and compost samples, and take part in a one hour question and answer session withRodale Institute Chief Scientist Dr. Elaine Ingham.  After this exciting course you'll be entitled to a three month membership to open lab times at the Living Soil Laboratory.  There you can continue to hone your new skills by analyzing soil samples with your peers, sharing your progress, and asking any questions that may come up during your work.  Mark your calendars, and contact Molly to sign up - you, your soil, and your plants will be so happy you did! This workshop is sponsored by The Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture and the Sustainable Living Program at Maharishi University of Management.

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The Sustainable Living Department is pleased to announce a drop spindle spinning workshop on Sunday, November 24th from 1:00 - 4:00 pm.  Local artist and musician Taylor Ross will teach the spinning session, and says, “Ever wanted to understand how threads and yarns are made? Even better, to make your own? Well, on the 24th we will be learning about fibers, and how to spin wool. We will also teach a little bit about cotton, silk, flax, and even milkweed! Each workshop member will get a drop-spindle and we will all practice this age-old, amazing and simple technique for spinning your own yarn or string from fibers that come from real places, like the backs of sheep and alpaca or the stems of plants right in our own little prairie town. MAGIC!!! This workshop will only be $5 dollars including a drop spindle. It’s so stinking cheap because we want you to know these things, and it’s sponsored by Doug and Jennifer Hamilton, who are awesome pillars of life. They have a flock of Icelandic sheep among being radical in many other ways.”

Here is the public Facebook event so you can sign up ahead of time - see you there!

By Leanne Hays