Eco-friendly community is no longer a dream in Berea

[ridgerunner]

COLLEGE DEDICATES CONSERVATION-MINDED HOUSING VILLAGE

By Peter Mathews

CENTRAL KENTUCKY BUREAU

BEREA - If it takes a village to raise the nation's consciousness that the days of cheap oil and abundant water won't last forever, Berea College has one ready.

Yesterday, the college dedicated its Ecovillage, a combination housing complex, child-care center and teaching tool.

Its clotheslines, solar heating units and wastewater recycling operation are pretty far removed from the American dream for many: a house in a sprawling suburb with a big gas-guzzling vehicle (or two) in the-driveway.

The Ecovillage kills about six birds with one stone. It helps Berea reach out to the Appalachian population it serves. It provides housing for student parents, most of them single, jobs for some of them, and even a governing structure.

more:http://www.kentucky.com/mld/kentucky/11645389.htm

[NewInNewJ.]

1. I love that college

My sister attended Berea several years ago and she got a great education. All students had jobs on campus or in the township. Beautiful campus.

[jpak]

3. My Mom and half my aunts and uncles are Berea grads

It's always been a great progressive school and a beacon of hope in Appalachia.

The experience these students take home with them after graduation will be invaluable.

:)

[MountainLaurel]

4. That's interesting

I had a high school classmate who attended Berea, and I just assumed it was your typical no-interracial-dating, no-women-wearing-pants sort of KKKristian college.

But that's good to hear, especially since the classmate showed up at the reunion with his boyfriend of several years.

And actually on the topic, I would love to live in an ecofriendly place like this. sigh.

[slor]

2. Glad to see some folks are...

thinking.