CHE (outside of Nashville)

The Center for Holistic Ecology (CHE) is exactly about what it sounds: a holistic approach through integrating self, social and ecological systems. Never environment over people or people over the environment...all together at once. To accomplish this approach, they capitalize on the power of networking--bringing people, resources, services and organizations together to get the conversations started.

Though it seems like they do take a really holistic approach to everything and they offer classes in my favorite thing (natural building, of course!), what I am more interested in is their Seven Sisters Program, though I don't know if it's through them, or if it is just another program...I was confused by their website. The first sentence on the "about" section of this particular program is: "...women please stand up—and take your place at the head of the green movement." Ummmmm YES, okay. The program seeks to provide support for women trying out inspiring ideas that help the planet. Support monetarily and emotionally. I really see this as a valuable component to their entire program since women have SO much to bring to the table, especially considering the independence and ambition of working women (not that it has changed, but that society has made it much easier over time...). Apparently though, no one is currently running this program, which is a bit sad to hear given that I wanted to interview them about their target group of women, their perspective on women in the green movement, etc. I will definitely ask them about this, but may have to focus more on other things given that the program isn't up and running...

Regarding the organization as a whole, I am curious in asking about location. Personally, I think it makes a lot of sense to be close to or in a city and teaching much of this holistic approach. In cities are where most people live, not to mention that there are enormous social problems (racial divides, one school district favored over another, poor/rich neighborhoods, vacancy...at least in Buffalo, etc) which seem to happen everywhere, but on a much larger scale in urban settings). To be sure, there are definite advantages in teaching permaculture in more rural settings, but I want to see what pros/cons were weighed in the decision process of CHE's place selection.

Lastly, I am curious to ask about what else but natural building. Natural building using what materials? Do they offer classes on it? Are their structures built using natural methods? From what it seems, CHE connects with the Farm who offers classes...

...The Farm? As in THE farm? If you've never read about it and about intentional communities, you should. I wonder if CHE is an intentional community like The Farm, or if it more mainstream, more of a classroom rather than a place for people to live, founded during the hippie era, etc. My friend Gwen just wrote a story on intentional communities like the Farm and Arcosanti (in AZ), so I am sorta curious to check it out. Maybe I'll stop by at The Farm on the way...