| The Corvallis Conservation Farm |
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Our MISSION is to:
Our PURPOSE is to empower people with the knowledge and skills that will enable them to live a healthy and sustainable lifestyle, and to be a catalyst for creative change in society. Our intention is to conserve the heritage of crops, seeds, farming methods, cultural values and a self-reliant lifestyle, which sustained native peoples before the westernization of the Americas. We embrace Christian values and try to live in accordance with these teachings. LIFESTYLE
VALUES
VOLUNTARY SIMPLICITY - is the relaxation, with dignity, of the drive for high income and high consumption. We view this as the intent to live with more awareness of the long-range ecological and cultural effects of our lifestyle choices. Living consciously, we can share more of our time, energy and resources, and help and encourage individuals and communities to overcome the effects of the consumer society. This will enhance each person’s ability to relate to self, society and nature in a more responsible manner. SELF-RELIANCE – We do not view this merely as a means to an end for ourselves, but the key to restoring a stable and responsible society. We must bring back the necessary food production and handicraft skills and encourage natural talents that can build a local food system and a local economy HOLISTIC HEALTH We believe that health can be maintained if our bodies are given fresh, organic, home-grown food and our minds are at peace. Peace is obtainable if we have useful, creative tasks to do which make distinct contributions toward sustainability for family, friends, and community. PROGRAM
AREAS
1. The Corvallis Conservation Farm - an educational permaculture
community
demonstrating an environmentally responsible approach to shelter,
energy, food
production and collective living. The Institute has
established a
wildlife friendly, bio-intensive, organic gardening system to provide a
sustainable food base for residents, interns, and
staff.
Despite vast increases in productivity, our planet’s agricultural and food systems are in crisis. Hundreds of millions of people are malnourished or starving, while others suffer ill health from eating too much. Small farmers can't make a living, and the environment is deteriorating as soil, water levels and biodiversity dwindle. Our agriculture program is geared to identify the principles that underlie sustainable food production 2. EDUCATION - The Conservation Farm offers hands-on training to those who hunger for knowledge. Additionally, we host interns for various periods of time. 3. SEEDS – We are involved in breeding, sharing and maintaining a seed bank of native food and medicinal plants, and working to protect the right of access and free use by all people of native crop seeds. Also, we have the largest collection of northern acclimated, open-pollinated, organic vegetable and grain seed in Montana. 4. SHELTER Farm facilities are designed and constructed to have the lowest ecological footprint on the earth as possible. We are exploring new frontiers in the design of earthships, straw bale, cordwood, adobe and papercrete construction methods, with energy systems that are simplified and off the grid. Our buildings also feature innovations in no-discharge sanitation systems and water recycling. Four structures that incorporate earthship (thermal mass) or straw bale technology are in place, consisting of a dwelling, an office, a barn and a greenhouse. Working with nature's cycles and processes as inspiration, humans can create shelters and systems that produce no waste, are beautiful, and make efficient use of natural resources. 5. LOCAL ECONOMY ENHANCEMENT towards sustainable forms of prosperity for all, we are focused on and encourage decentralized, local., land-based economies. To this end, we support local and regional organizations to help develop a local food system, independent home industries, affordable medical care, and collective living arrangements, (i.e. ecovillages). Our organization is supported entirely by gifts, grants, and the sale of what we may produce onsite. It operates with the intent that no financial profit shall accrue to any individual person. The Institute board reserves the right to accept or reject any and all applications for resident apprenticeships without explanation. There is no restriction on participation due to race, religion, or gender. Site visits are always welcome. Please call ahead. The WCHI Conservation Farm 1993 Knightmare Drive Greg (cell) (406) 360-4345 Mac (cell) (406) 360-3254 Heather (cell) (406) 363-8035 |
| The Staff | ||
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In the lifes' daily
challenge
Do you feel like
the frog
or the fly |
We
are a donation based organization. Please click Donations link below to help Thanks in advance! |
Contact
us ... Email montanamac@gmail.com or jsmith9k@gmail.com Greg (cell) (406) 360-4345 Mac (cell) (406) 360-3254 Heather (cell) (406) 363-8035 |
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