Sustainability Programing​​

Sustainability Retreat
Once in the Fall and once in the Spring a crew of ECM'ers and local community members head down to Independence Kansas, the home of the England Porter Homestead, to learn about sustainability. These weekends focus on sustainable practices and how sustainability ties into other issues such as social justice, inequality, and community-building. After the retreat, attendees receive funding to host their own sustainability project back in the Manhattan area. Learn more about the sustainability retreat here!

Real Food Lunch
Every Friday ECM hosts a vegan community meal. Not only is it more accessible to people with food limitations, the food served is often made from leftover produce from the willow lake student farm and avoids meat, dairy, and other animal products that can be more harmful on the environment to produce. We'd love to have you join us. Just swing by ECM this Friday from noon to 1:30 to check it out. You can also learn more about RFL here!

Seed Library
ECM hosts as a home for a seed library providing vegetable and flowers seeds to anyone wanting grow. If you are interested in using some seeds come check it out. It is located on the table directly to the right when entering through our south entrance. Take what you need, grow some beautiful plants, let some go to seed and return some of these seeds for the next person!
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Meeting goats at ECM's first sustainability retreat
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vegan apple pie served at RFL last spring

Sustainability around the ECM Building

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ECM's Vermiculture Bin
Solar Power
Our current building has 7 solar panels installed, each that produce around 225 watts worth of energy. These have been installed since 2016 and are under warranty for 25 years ensuring plenty more solar power is to come.

Composting
Just this year, ECM recently started a vermiculture bin to help keep food scraps out of the landfill. This system is a simple double decker worm bin made from two cat litter tubs and made by ECM students on the 2019 fall sustainability retreat. 

Edible Landscaping
Our lawn is decorated with many plants, most of which have been chosen primarily because they are also edible! Hibiscus and rose flowers paired with chives fill the flower beds and a large Elder berry bush is located on the south side of the property. Our trees are prune and cherry bearing.