Sustainable Living Experience

JOIN THE COURSE:

Read this course information and then email jmlandin@ncsu.edu
Write “Join Sustainable Living” in the subject line and you will be enrolled. Easy!

COURSE DESCRIPTION

This course offers an on-site, experiential learning opportunity. Students will live at below-sustainable levels, minimizing use of energy, water, natural resources and industrial products. We will address ecological components (e.g. soils, plants) and concepts (e.g. carrying capacity, species interactions), reflect on the environmental and interdisciplinary impacts of lifestyle choices, and learn to identify local plants and animals (to develop sense-of-place). Students will create a garden, test water/soil quality, calculate energy expenses, maintain and repair property, and consider the challenges and long-term and far-reaching impacts of environmental sustainability.
Here’s the syllabus

PREREQUISITES: NONE!

DEADLINE TO ENROLL: We will secure our reservation for TerraStay Farm by April 15.

WHAT WILL WE LEARN?

How ecological principles apply to our life choices
How we already have simple solutions to environmental issues
How housing, nutrition, society, economics, and technology impact our ecological footprint
How to take action and face the future with positivity

WHAT WILL WE DO?

Develop a sense-of-place in our environment by learning to identify plants, birds, & insects
Connect with people! Play in the outdoors!
Grow food, prepare and share meals together, build and repair and create
Practice life skills and behaviors that lower our ecological footprints
Explore and reflect on our choices to maximize happiness, helpfulness, and hopefulness
Develop individual goals for a just, fulfilling, and purpose-driven life

WHERE?

We will start the semester as a typical course, offered in-person (at NCSU) and online.

The Farm Stay portion occurs for ~2 weeks in Saxapahaw (West of Chapel Hill). TerraStay Farm a working farm (and sheep-rescue), with a lake/river, (very) small town, and forest/greenway all within walking distance. Accommodations include cabins with climate control, bathroom, and kitchen. Tent camping options also available. Arrive June 5. Depart June 15.

We then return to campus to individually incorporate sustainable behaviors into everyday life.

HOW MUCH?

The farm stay component requires an additional fee of $595, payable in two installments.
The first installment secures your enrollment in the course. The second installment secures our reservation at TerraStay, and is due by April 15.
This fee pays for accommodations, food, and activities.
CHECK WITH YOUR ADVISOR! Some programs include support funds for experiences like this.
NOTE: We will learn skills that will allow you to save thousands of dollars each year. Sustainable living is economic living!