Sustainability Fair

Abundance through Harmony & Creativity

Centuries ago in the Middle East olive trees were planted for future generations. Today some of those 400-500 year olive groves are being destroyed due to politics, cultural misunderstanding and war. Shortsighted land use planning and corporate-based quarterly business outlooks have left our country with wasteful suburban living lifestyle and major waste in valuable resources. Sustainable small family farms have given way to huge industrial farms – reducing life forms to a production line and requiring huge amounts of non-renewable resources to sustain. Have we forgotten our roots?

The ancient pre-Columbian Haudenosaunee have a tradition of planning for seven generations ahead. Following this philosophy and our continuing goal to integrate our community with a more creative sustainable lifestyle, Shakori Hills has organized a “Sustainability Fair” to take place at this Spring’s Grassroots Festival. Look for the nonagon (nine sided Americas indigenous peoples inspired) pavilion to learn how you can live a more sustainable lifestyle. Exhibits in 2007 listed below, stay tuned for Spring 2008 info:

Agriculture:
• Chatham Marketplace (480 Hillsboro Street, Pittsboro, 919-542-2643) is dedicated to strengthening the health and well-being of our owners and our community.
• Carolina Farm Stewardship Association (CFSA) (P.O. Box 448, Pittsboro, NC, 919-542-2402) has a mission to support and expand local and organic agriculture in the Carolinas by inspiring, educating, and organizing farmers and consumers.

Education:
• The Haw River Assembly (info@hawriver.org) - is a non-profit citizens’ group founded in 1982 to restore and protect the Haw River and Jordan Lake.
• Central Carolina Community College, Pittsboro Campus (CCCC) is home of the biofuels program, sustainable agriculture curriculum and a new green building program.

Energy:
• Honey Electric Solar specializes in sales & installations of solar systems – thermal & electric – in North Carolina.
• Southern Energy Management whose goal is to assist homeowners and builders in creating the safest, most energy efficient and comfortable homes possible.
• Piedmont Biofuels Coop 2:00 pm on Saturday and Sunday will do a “cooking show” (mason jar bio-diesel demo and question and answer session).

Sustainable LifeStyle:
• The Green Building Council of the Home Builders Association is made up of member builders who are incorporating green features and techniques into traditional subdivision homes that represent a wide range of styles and prices.
• The Abundance Foundation (501c3) turns renewable energy and sustainable concepts such as waste reduction and lowering emissions into reality.