A School for Off-the-Gridders

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The Solar Living Institute, in Hopland, California (about 95 miles north of San Francisco), offers a full schedule of workshops in the techniques and technologies of sustainable living, alternative construction, and renewable energy. The Institute's Solar Living Center is situated on 12 acres, and demonstrates renewable energy systems, sustainable and green building design, and permaculture landscaping principles in action.

We at the Spirit of Ma'at wanted to tell you about this school, because whatever we are talking about in this issue of our webzine, they are doing it, from alternative gardening to straw-bale construction, and even more important, teaching others.

The Solar Living Institute also offers an intern program that enables people to take workshops free, and a yearly two-day SolFest celebration.

This year's SolFest occurs August 24-25, with "inspiring speakers and a diverse selection of over fifty educational workshops on the natural home, green building, renewable energy systems, permaculture gardening, and alternative fuels."

Also on hand will be "outrageous live music, children's activities, fabulous food and drink — and over one hundred renewable energy and Earth-friendly product exhibitors."

Workshops
Here, listed by category, are the workshops currently scheduled for 2002:

Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency: Retrofitting Your Home for Energy Efficiency, Commercial Applications for PV on Public and Private Facilities, Beginning Photovoltaics, Photovoltaic Design and Installation, The Green Householder, Grid-Tied Solar Electric Systems and Money Saving Rebates, All About Electric Vehicles, Insider Tips for Less Expensive and More Efficient Solar Systems, Biosdiesel — Fuel from Vegetables, Solar Cooking and Hands-on Solar Wall Oven Installation, Building a Successful Solar Business, Women in Solar, Hydrogen Energy — The Emerging Fuel Source in America, and Wind Generation.

Alternative Building: Straw Bale Construction, Hybrid Adobe Workshop, Introduction to Alternative Building Materials, Building with Bamboo, Natural Building Workshop — An Overview of Options, Building with Stone — Walls and Garden Landscaping, and Healthy Interiors.

Sustainable Living, Healthy Lifestyles, and Gardening: Sustainable Living Workshops, A Guide to Home-Scale Permaculture, Design and Build Your Own Water Gardens and Fish Ponds, Biointensive Gardening, Herbs for Sustainable Living, Breema Bodywork, and Healing the Body Environment.

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The Solar Living Institute signs off their catalog with a testimonial from one of their admirers:

Thank you for being a light and an example to so many of us moving toward living in tune with the planet.
To find out more, visit their website at SolarLiving.org, or call 707-744-2017.