Sustainability, Peace & Justice Series
The Sustainability Forum serves as the festival’s hub for community development and environmental education. Centrally located in the Sustainability Pavilion – built by festival volunteers as a live example of sustainable living techniques – this “nonagon” will host multiple technical forums and demonstrations dedicated to creating more sustainable and economically resilient communities. This season we have a full schedule of speakers with sessions involving open forum discussions and nature walks.
Saturday, April 21 Forum Series
Workshops & Expos with Sol Food Mobile Farm – 10am
The Sol Food Mobile Farm tour group will lead an interactive discussion on permaculture techniques, four season harvesting and sustainable garden design focused on the ways to reduce our impact on this planet. They will also have educational and promotional materials available and the Sol Food Mobile Farm bus will be onsite for tours. Sol Food Mobile Farm aims to serve communities in their own backyards! By recognizing that every community has a unique set of resources and skills, it hopes to work with groups to foster environmental stewardship in their local area. During their journey across the United States they’ll be stopping in major cities and small towns at schools, community centers, farmers markets, street fairs, and anywhere that can fit the bus.
Green Building Round Table with Michael Chandler, Chandler Design-Build, Inc.- 11am
Bring your green building thoughts and dreams for a reality check with Michael Chandler, local green builder, teacher and writer, two time finalist for NAHB Green Custom home of the year, DOE Energy Value Housing Award Winner and NAHB Green Building Professional of the Year. This is not a talk, it’s a question and answer session, so bring your questions and get informed answers.
Composting and Zero Waste with Bob and Camille Armantrout – 12noon
Bob and Camille are zero waste advocates who have been composting for more than a decade. They will present waste reduction strategies and basic composting techniques using low-tech, inexpensive methods that almost anyone can follow. This interactive discussion is intended to help those new to home composting as well as seasoned composters improve their personal organic waste management practices.
Making and Using Biodiesel Fuel with Lyle Estill, Piedmont Biofuels- 1pm
Lyle will lead a down and dirty detailed presentation on this clean and renewable alternative fuel. Learn from the experts how to make one’s car, tractor, or home heating an earth-friendly machine; a primer on what biodiesel is, how to use it, and even see a hands-on biodiesel production in action. Piedmont will also be on hand for fuel sales in the parking lot (by appointment). Lyle has been Vice-President at Piedmont since its inception and has been designing and building biodiesel reactors for more than a decade.
Deep Ecology with Leif Diamant: Nature as Teacher, Healer, and Beloved- 2:15pm
Nature is our home. Wildness is our roots. Nature nurtures us in the deepest parts of our being. Beautiful, mysterious, exuberantly abundant, nature is the source of much of what inspires, heals, feeds and comforts us. Leif, a psychotherapist, ordained inter-spiritual minister, lifetime naturalist, and organic CSA farmer will facilitate. Nature experience, inner exploration, and conversation will allow participants to expand their relationship with Nature as source for peace, well-being, creativity, wisdom, compassion, spirituality and love. The intention of this experience is to support a thriving wild planet and thriving humans.
Green Jobs with Laura Lauffer, Sustainable Technologies Program Leader, Central Carolina Community College – 3:30pm
Green Jobs are all the rage but what does that mean? What are local, state, and national trends in green jobs? What certifications are needed? How can you make any business or technology more sustainable? Laura will lead this informative interactive discussion. Come ready to share your experiences, ideas and hopes for your green job!
Nature Walk on the Farm with Pierre Lauffer- 4:30pm
Pierre will be leading a nature walk and an informative and philosophical group discussion on the historical natural heritage of the Shakori Hills farm. With more than 20 years experience in environmental management and planning, Pierre is seeking to change the way regions and communities understand resource usage within the communal context. Open dialogue will touch upon the idea that a community’s public welfare directly relates to the amount of open space maintained as a communal asset.
Common Ground for Peace and Justice with The Independent Progressive Politics Network – 5:30pm
Our 14th Common Ground for Peace and Justice Forum will gather in open community space to share, dialogue and discover how to bring the energy and inspiration of Shakori Hills to our daily lives. Come share your hopes, concerns and solutions.
Sunday, April 22 (Earth Day) Forum Series
Public Transportation and its Role in Sustainable Communities with Allison Springer, Chatham Transit Network – 11am
Transportation touches everyone’s life. It’s a subject intricately entwined with sustainability. Allison will lead us in an interactive brainstorming discussion about problems and solutions associated with sustainable public transportation that meets the community’s needs. Allison Springer possesses 12 years experience with Chatham Transit Network and has worn many hats from driver to transportation coordinator.
Grassroots Festival as a Social Enterprise: Modeled Structures for the Future of Capitalism with Jordan Puryear , GrassRoots Music Roadshow, Inc. – 12noon
Jordan will lead a discussion on creating socially-conscious business enterprises that contribute to community sustainability. Jordan is co-founder of both Shakori Hills and the Finger Lakes GrassRoots Festivals, which he has been involved in organizing and running since 1991. The festivals are self-supporting non-profit corporations whose missions are socially conscious.
Making and Using Biodiesel Fuel, Lyle Estill, Piedmont Biofuels – 2pm
See Saturday’s Description
Sol Food Mobile Farm – 3pm
See Saturday’s Description
Composting and Zero Waste with Bob and Camille Armantrout – 4pm
See Saturday’s Description