Eco-Fair Part Two:, Fairfield, IA, May 23 - 26, 2003. Workshops and Speakers.

Savvy Vegetarian News

Vol. 1, Issue 4, July, 2003

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Part two covers the most notable workshops on environmental issues that I didn't attend, one that I did, and the keynote speaker, Hunter S. Lovins, author of Natural Capitalism.

2-day workshop on how to make a living machine (a biological water filtration system, including a presentation on the concept behind this innovative machine and the revolutionary changes it's making in the field of treating waste while building ecosystems.

How to get and keep members, break down apathy, win effective campaigns, build student power and more.

Schools are institutions, which create major environmental and social impacts when they buy everything from energy to paper to clothing. This purchasing power can be redirected to supporting products and practices which are more socially and environmentally responsible. Learn about effective campaigns at other schools and how you can apply them to your campus.

Fundraising for activists. Mostly based on the works of Lynne Twist and Terry Axelrod. Very simple and powerful strategies for raising money. No need to ask money from foundations, government or corporations freeing activists from any sense of begging, struggling or suffering.

Rejuvenate hope, build skill and create connections while finding answers to those questions:

• How do we balance work and personal life when our work is a cause that burns in our hearts?
• How do we reach the people that just don't get it?
• How do we get enough money for our work?
• How do we fight the incredible injustices we see without becoming hardened, cynical and bitter?
• Does non-violence really work?
• Are we going to make it?
• Is it worth the pain, stress and defeats?
• How can I avoid burnout?

Planting an edible and medicinal plant landscape on Maharishi University of Management campus here in Fairfield, IA. (Did you know that Iowa has the highest number of native fruit and nut producing species of trees and shrubs in the world?) Preparing the ground for fall planting of a medicinal and edible prairie. The design is based on permaculture principles as well as the "forest gardening" style that was championed by Robert Hart.

Basic trail design, getting down and dirty cutting brush and digging rocks. This workshop is part of a continuing project to open to the public a scenic architectural ruin beside Crow Creek near campus. We will create a new system of trails that is long lasting and respectful of the natural environment.

The one workshop I attended: Friday, May 24th:

I went to a marketing workshop with Tad Hargrave, a tall skinny kilt-wearing Canuck who runs around the world making successful socially responsible entrepreneurs. Tad is brilliant, amusing, passionate, and energetic. He's been a change maker since he was 19, when he founded The School Revolution, which empowers students with resources to transform their schools.

Most recently, he started a consulting practice, called The Leverage Crew that helps social entrepreneurs, locally owned and small business to attract avalanches of perfect customers, with the same, or often, much less effort. Tad talked about the twelve most common business blunders. I had learned all this stuff, from hard personal experience over too many years to count. But hearing it all bundled in one great presentation focused it clearly in my mind, and cancelled all denial. Best $10 I ever spent!

Friday evening, I heard the keynote speaker, Hunter S. Lovins.

Ms. Lovins was the co-founder, and until recently, CEO of Strategy, of Rocky Mountain Institute, world famous think tank for energy and resource issues. She co-authored the book, Natural Capitalism. Her speech was inspiring, and the audience loved her - I think she was amazed by the standing ovation. When she took off her cowboy hat and bowed, we all clapped harder.

She talked about the first industrial revolution, characterized by abundant natural resources and scarcity of labor, contrasted with the next industrial revolution, already underway, in which natural resources are scarce and people are abundant. I believe most of what she covered is in the book, Natural Capitalism. I recommend you check out the website, www.natcap.org, where you can download chapters. Which I intend to do shortly, since I haven't read it.

"Natural Capitalism is a whole-systems approach to doing business that enables companies to increase profitability and competitive advantage by behaving responsibly towards both nature and people."

The approach consists of four primary principles:

1. Radically increase resource efficiency
2. Shift to biologically inspired production models
3. Invest in restorative practices
4. No net loss of natural or social capital

Newsletter Index:

Article: Eco-Fair, Fairfield, IA, May 23 - 26, 2003. Part One: Introduction

An extraordinary event took place in this ultra-creative small town in the heart of S.E. Iowa, home of Maharishi University of Management, and a major center for spirituality, alternative healing, environmental activists, sustainable agriculture, and the arts.

Article: Eco-Fair, Fairfield, IA, May 23 - 26, 2003. Part Two: Speakers and Events.

Part 2 of the Eco-Fair Report covers workshops I didn't attend, one that I did, by Tad Hargrave, Entrepreneurial Activist and Coach, and the keynote speaker, Hunter S. Lovins, author of Natural Capitalism.

Article: Eco-Fair, Fairfield, IA, May 23 - 26, 2003. Part Three: Sustainable Agriculture Speakers.

"I was as impressed as I've ever been by the high quality of the presenters - their depth of knowledge, their passion, and dedication. I felt privileged to have the opportunity, and I'd go to see any of them again in a heartbeat" - Judy Kingsbury, Savvy Vegetarian.com

Review: Article: State of the Eco-Union, by Joel Salatin:

To quote from acresusa.com home page:"Joel Salatin provides a spirited and thought-provoking overview of the eco-ag movement, from his speech at the 2002 Acres U.S.A. Conference."

Review: Website: Organic Consumers Association: organicconsumers.org.

"After only five minutes, I decided that organicconsumer.org is one of the best sites on the web if you're pro-planet earth. Why? Because it's packed to the rafters with wide-ranging, quality content--" Judy Kingsbury, Savvy Vegetarian.com

Summer Recipe: Tabouleh Middle Eastern Salad

This is a divine summer meal, combining tomato, cucumber and fresh herbs. It's great with corn on the cob too - of course, anything is! Try the farmer's market for the veg's and herbs, if there's one nearby.

Ask The Savvy Vegetarian:

What To Do When Visiting Non-Vegetarian Relatives? From a single, 30 year old Vegan guy.

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