Mission:

The mission of the center is to help the community and region address environmental and energy concerns through training, workshops, classes and conferences. 

The focal points are:
(a) Green building and energy efficiency,
(b) Local food production
(c) Recycling, and
(d) Alternative energy systems. 

Important Information:

High Tunnel going up:
We have gotten to work building the high tunnel greenhouse for the students in the Culinary Arts Program. With their help and also help from some of the students from the Construction Technology Program we should have the high tunnel ready for planting in a couple of weeks. That's exciting! 



The Sustainable Living Center at Flint Hills Technical College is working to help our community and communities throughout our region move toward building a more sustainable future. The center is addressing on going environmental and economic issues in the area through workshops, classes, and conferences designed to help each individual attain their goals of environmental and economic stability.

Lead Safe Work Practices in Kansas Training:
    Due to changes in guidelines that are currently being updated by the state of Kansas,  this class has been postponed. Please check back or call 620-341-1335, we will post the new date as soon as possible. 
   The Sustainable Living Center will be offering the "Lead Safe Work Practices in Kansas" training. This is a certification class for the Lead-Based Paint Renovation, Repair and Painting Program, a federal regulatory program affecting contractors, property managers, and others who disturb painted surfaces. It will become necessary for any individuals performing this type of work to be certified before being allowed to do the work. It is also important to safe guard our young children and others from the devastating effects of lead poisoning. To enroll please call Amy at 620-341-1392 or http//flinthils.augusoft.net. If you need additional information, call me at 620-341-1335.

I will also be giving additional presentations away from the campus, that may be of interest.  

Rain Barrel Workshop	March 20, 2:00 - 4:00 PM
Being Green in Emporia	April 14, 6:00 - 7:30 PM
Tire Recycling for Home & Garden	April 24, 2:00 - 4:00 PM
Building Technology for Energy Efficient Homes	April 24, 8:30 - 4:00 PM
Eco-friendly Remodeling	April 27 - 29, 6:30 - 9:00 PM
Natural Cooling Techniques	May 4, 6:30 - 9:00 PM
Cheap and Easy Worm Composting	May 27, 7:00 - 8:00 PM

To enroll contact front office at 343-4600, Amy Becker at 341-1392 or abecker@fhtc.edu, or Rachel Leclear at 341-1372 or rleclear@fhtc.edu.

Fill out the on-line application to begin enrolling for one of these classes.

Other Sustainable Living websites:

Pioneer Bluffs Foundation

Janzen Family Farms

Kansas Rural Center

Metropolitan Energy Center

Upcoming Presentations off of campus:

Kansas Green Energy Summit - Independence Community College, April 9
Green Day - Wyandotte High School, May 1

Net Zero Building

We have the great opportunity to work with the students at Kansas State University, School of Architecture, to build the first net-zero (will produce more energy than we use) public building in the state of Kansas. The building will be a house for the Transitions program for USD 253, with a conference room and extra classrooms and offices included. We met in Manhattan last Friday for mid-project review and it was exciting to see the excellent work done by these students. We are hoping to break ground in early April and I'll keep you posted as this project moves along.

Career Paths:

Through workshops, classes, and conferences, the center will provide training and information for the people of the state of Kansas and the Flint Hills region.  The center has been developed to address the needs of the community, and it is our intention to offer programs that will help people get their ideas and projects implemented in their own homes or the community at large.

The Industry:

• food production
• renewable energy
• building industry
• recycling industry

The Program: