Learning to Live Lightly on the Land

Started in 1989 with just a few plant beds, the Sustainable Living Center is now comprised of a large plant and herb garden, numerous fruit trees, and a green house for growing seedlings and young plants. Elements added through the years include solar panels, a solar hot water heater, a wind generator, a cob oven, a composting station, a walk-in chicken coop, a pond, and a naturalist-constructed straw bale classroom. Our garden coordinator oversees the garden and coordinates learning activities.

Each week, students visit the Sustainable Living Center to learn about organic gardening, renewable energy, and the power of the sun. Students have the opportunity to explore the garden and answer questions independently or in small groups. Each student cares for the garden by planting seeds, making compost, or weeding.

Through our composting program we recycle all of the food waste generated by the meals in the dining hall in order to make new soil for our plants. Students track the entire process of decomposition and reuse, from meal to compost bin, from new soil to fresh garden plants. They learn how solar panels work by making solar powered popcorn and eat an organic salad made with vegetables grown in the garden.