Flint Hills Sustainability Fair   
The Sustainable Living Center and Energy Innovators would like to invite you and your family to the Flint Hills Sustainability Fair to be held on Saturday, April 28th from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. at the Flint Hills Technical College Campus, 3301 W. 18th Avenue.  The Flint Hills Sustainability Fair is a community event designed to educate people about what it means to live sustainably.    There will be information about local food systems, recycling, energy efficiency, alternative energy, sustainable arts and recreation activities and so much more.  This year we are introducing a run/walk fundraiser and a group gravel bike ride.  We are excited to announce that the Farmers Market will be at the event again this year, so mark your calendars.  The Flint Hills Sustainability Fair is FREE to the public.
To find out how your business or organization can participate, please contact Amy Becker with Flint Hills Technical College at 341-1335. 

Buiness Registration
Fundraiser Registration

Slow Food Symposium
Emporia State University and the Flint Hills Technical College are working together to host a workshop on strengthening food systems! Focuses will include food deserts, slow food, agritourism and the need for marketing communications and media relations. Speaker Dr. Jefferson Miller of University of Arkansas and Katherine Kelly from the Kansas City Center for Urban Agriculture will present, followed by breakout sessions. Join us for a day of discussion!  Saturday, April 14, 2012.  9:00 AM- 3:00 PM at Visser Hall, Emporia State University.  Cost:  $15.  To register please visit the Community Connections web site by March 30th.
 

Upcoming Community Ed Classes

To enroll in any of these classes please visit the Community Connections web site or call Rolanda at 620-341-1392

Rain Barrel Workshop
Instructors: Amy Becker & Rachael LeClear
Cost: $49
Schedule: Thursday, March 22, 6:00-7:00 PM
Take advantage of spring showers! During this class you will learn how to create a rain barrel that can be used at home to collect rain water. Join us and take one step toward “greening” your home. You’ll leave with the finished product.

Intro to Home Cheesemaking
Instructor: Charlene Osman
Cost: $35
Schedule: Select one of the following Saturdays:
March 24 and again April 21 (all are from 1:00-4:00 PM)
In this hands-on class we’ll learn how to make butter, yogurt, and several fresh cheeses. Be prepared to cook, taste, and take some of our creations home with you! (Raw milk will be used in this class.)

Do It Yourself (Mostly) Bike Repair
Instructor: Shawn Honea
Cost: $18
Schedule: Wednesday, March 28, 7:00-9:00 PM
Location: High Gear, 520 Commercial St.
This class will cover general bicycle repair: changing flats, cleaning drive train, knowing your bike, understanding tools, do’s and don’ts, and basic bike knowledge. The class is sponsored by Green Door
Recycling and High Gear. Students will get a High Gear water bottle, new tube, and tire levers. Ride
your bike to class!!

Green Cleaning
Instructor: Amy Becker
Cost: $9
Schedule: Thursday, March 29th, 6:00-7:30 PM
Today’s homes are stocked with toxic and polluting cleansers that promise to make life better. They cost us money, risk our health, and damage the environment. In this class, learn simple recipes for effective cleaning solutions that include ingredients from your pantry. Leave with samples to try out at home.

Lighting Technologies
Instructors: Jim and Nikki Gartner
Cost: $9
Schedule: Tuesday, April 10, 7:00-8:00 PM
Join Jim and Nikki Gartner from Energy Innovators to learn about lighting technologies, natural lighting, lighting economics, lighting industry changes as well as incentives, grants and rebates. Whether you are a homeowner, facility manager, or small business owner bring your lighting questions and get them answered!
 
My Green Baby: Cloth Diapers
Instructor: Jennifer Erickson
Cost: $9
Schedule: Thursday, April 12, 7:00-8:00 PM
An introductory class for parents and caregivers interested in learning the basics of modern cloth diapering. Children welcome!

Jams and Jellies for Beginners
Instructor: Tracey Graham
Cost: $25
Schedule: Saturday, April 14, 1:00-5:00 PM
Learn how to make your own jams and jellies from scratch. Use the skills you develop in this class to
preserve this spring’s fresh fruits at the peak of ripeness for year-round enjoyment.

Solar Cooking
Instructor: John Crisp
Cost: $29
Schedule: Mon. & Wed., April 23 & 25 5:30-7:30 PM
This course provides an overview of various solar cooker designs used worldwide, including panel,
box, and parabolic cookers. Students will explore simple, inexpensive, do-it-yourself creations to
commercial models, improvised and experimental designs, economics, and global applications. Participants will construct working solar box or panel cookers. Resources and recipes will be provided for advanced experimentation. John Crisp has been building and using solar cookers for over 30 years.

Building Technology for Energy Efficient Homes
Instructor: Bill Hanlon
Cost: $115 (1 credit hour); $16 for book (optional)
Schedule: Saturday, May 5, 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
In this course, you will discover what green building really means. Topics will include energy efficient
design for framed structures, alternative building systems and products, the Energy Star program, and a tour of the energy efficient home being constructed. Registration required by April 27th.

Harvest Preservation Introduction
Instructor: Tracey Graham
Cost: $15
Schedule: Thursday, May 10, 6:30-8:00 PM
This season’s abundance of fresh produce in our gardens, farmers’ markets, and roadside stands provides us with the best tasting and most nutritious fruits and vegetables we’ve had in months. Preserving these fruits and veggies now brings those spring fresh flavors and nutrients back to our tables in the depth of winter. This class will introduce you to the preferred methods of preservation of many different kinds of foods for year-round enjoyment

Harvest Preservation Party
Instructor: Tracey Graham
Cost: $39
Schedule: Saturday, May 12, 1:00-5:00 PM
The effort expended in one very busy day pays off on those cold winter days when spring seems so very far away. On this day, we will be preserving whatever looked fabulous at the Farmers Market that morning, or you may bring your own washed, locally-grown produce with you. All preservation supplies will be provided. Open to experienced canners and to students who took the beginning canning class.

Wild Edibles Trek
Instructor: John Crisp
Cost: $20 for families or $10 for adults, $5 for teenagers.
Children accompanied by a parent are free!
Schedule: Saturday, May 26, 1:30-4:30 PM
Stories, local history, plant identification, recipes, and more are all part of our fascinating adventures along the trail. We will cover 2+ miles of trail. You’ll learn more than you ever thought possible and get a new perspective on the practical uses of edible and medicinal plants. Fishing plants, fire-starting plants, Kansas bananas, Vitamin C drinks, sweet water from a grape vine, pine needle tea, medicines, poisons, life-saving information, and a visit to an Indian earth lodge are part of the May trek. So, put together a group of family and friends, and let’s take a hike! To enroll please visit Community Connections web site or call 341-1392.

High Tunnel