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RESILIENT HOME / HIGH-END HOMESTEAD
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Community — Sustainability Characteristics of Berea
The property is about seven miles from the heart
of Berea—a major Kentucky cultural and sustainability center. The
distance to town is close enough, but not 'too close.'
Being resilient
is not the same as being a survivalist. Community plays an important role
in any sane approach to sustainability and future prosperity in chaotic
times. On this score, Berea is an excellent place to be.
- There is a year-round farmer's market in Berea,
with another in nearby Richmond. Lexington, the largest nearby city,
has a very large farmers' market, as well as a Whole Foods and a large,
well run food co-op.
- Berea College runs a sustainable agriculture program,
training a new generation of farmers and permaculturists.
- The Foothills Food Buying Club facilitates purchases
of bulk and discounted organic and natural foodstuffs.
- Small CSAs, local meats, and other weekly organic
food services complete the healthy
food web in Berea.
Beyond food,
there is an active community of Bereans working on sustainability and
resilience projects to make the economy greener and more local.
- Berea is one of a growing number of "transition
towns" in the United States, setting future energy, water, food, and
other resource usage goals that are consistent with a future based on
constrained energy supplies.
- Sustainable
Berea, a local NGO, works to develop stronger households, neighborhoods,
and community in the face of imminent threats to global sustainability
and resource flows. Recent projects include skills calendars, workshops,
and 100-mile potlucks.
- Berea College runs the SENS
House—an eco-village-style campus housing section that blends
eco-friendly and sustainable systems design.
- A number of green groups have a strong presence
in Berea, including the Kentucky
Environmental Foundation and Kentuckians
for the Commonwealth.
- Berea Utilities recently launched the Berea
Solar Farm, via which Bereans who cannot afford their own solar
PV system can still buy solar energy.
- Relative to many areas of the US that are considered
"green," Berea has better air quality and cleaner, more plentiful water
resources.
Berea's festivals
and other gatherings offer a great way to mix learning, commerce, music,
and fun. Here are a few examples:
For more events in Berea, see www.berea.com/events/.
Wrap-Up: For anyone who feels the need
to escape the chaos of the city but not completely give up the benefits
of society, Berea is a great place to land. There are plenty of good reasons
why so many out-of-staters are ending up in Berea these days.
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