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Why Participate?

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Grassroots Sustainability Education

The WASÉ Center is located in the heartland of Fairfield, IA. It was created for Wholistic Sustainability Education to offer our local community and worldwide network a space to empower individuals to learn and experience sustainability through:

  • Education
  • Spirituality
  • Experiential learning
  • Permaculture
  • Organic agriculture
  • Holistic food systems like ayurveda
  • Indigenous Plant Medicine
  • Health and wellness
  • Natural building
  • Renewable energy
  • Micro-enterprises
  • Homestead/off-grid activities

Our property is a typical 3 bedroom homestead and urban farm with multiple gardens as a chemical free site just south of the Maharishi International University campus.

We are working on becoming off-grid, utilizing electricity from solar PV, water collection from rain catchment systems for household use, grey water system for gardens, dry composting toilet, and clay/cob rocket stove and wood-stove heat. Our amenities include wireless high speed internet, fully functioning modern kitchen, gas stove, shower, bicycle sharing, tool library, and an interesting book library.

The WASÉ Difference

Joining the Wisdom, Agriculture, Sustainability and Education (WASÉ) Center provides a host of benefits and opportunities to its members. These include:

  • Being a part of a supportive wellness-oriented community located in Fairfield, IA
  • Access to many local high-quality organic restaurants
  • Town recreational facilities, multiple parks, and 17 mile loop trail
  • Monthly Fairfield Art Walk showcasing local art galleries
  • Vibrant international university culture

Be a positive force for change

You can participate or lead in any of the following projects:

  • Volunteer welcome and orientation
  • Assist with permaculture design layout and development
  • Create and maintain thermal, aerobic, and static compost piles
  • Designate and maintain lawn/garden sites including edible landscaping
  • Create and maintain worm bin/vermi compost
  • Create more rainwater catchment systems
  • Design, develop, build, and maintain aquaponics system
  • Build beehive boxes, maintain pollinator hives and gardens
  • Design and build solar oven/outdoor cobb pizza oven
  • Establish tree nursery site, prepare 100-300 baby trees, and support Adopt-A-Tree fundraising program (Fruit/Nut Trees for EEV, Seed Center, WASE Center, other sites)
  • Attend educational, permaculture, farming and business workshops, lectures, fairs, tours, musical events, and networking groups
  • Create major/minor repair list (sink, water pump, out house toilet, shower, clean storage, organize patios, build solar panels power system
  • Restore soil with micro-biology, composting, and soil amendments
  • Design and implement regenerative and companion planting growing methods
  • Install garden fencing and tree protectors
  • Build, construct, and establish greenhouse
  • Plant seeds, transplants, weed, water, and harvest and maintain food crops
  • Organize receipts and maintain monthly operating budget and expense reports
  • Create tool library, update equipment list, organize tools & materials, and update wish list
  • Organize, support, maintain, and document current projects
  • Assist with administrative duties
  • Prepare raw, vegan, and vegetarian meals and desserts
  • Support website, blog, and marketing for WASÉ Center website and newsletter
  • Provide photography and video for WASÉ Center website and newsletter
  • If there is a project you would like to pursue that is not listed, please submit a project that suits your passions or interests

Featured Videos

Fairfield, Iowa: A Community of 3000 Meditators

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By Radim Schreiber

Rush Hour in Fairfield, Iowa | Oprah’s Next Chapter

Ready to Join WASÉ?

We’d love to have you become a part of our team of volunteer changemakers. To learn about your next steps, please click the link below.

Join WASÉ