Greening Pennsylvania:

Endless blue skies, sharp clear sunlight, and a fairground filled with visitors learning about energy and lifestyle options for a healthier, cleaner future. Welcome to the 2007 Pennsylvania Renewable Energy and Sustainable Living Festival in Kempton, PA. What a weekend it was - with presentation of old and new “alternative” ways of living for fuels, homes, gardens, vehicles and businesses. Welcome to a snapshot of presenters, visitors and volunteers who made it happen.

Ask Bill Hennessey, president of MAREA and the Renewable Energy and Sustainable Living Festival, about some highlights of this year’s fest and his mind races to create some order for his thoughts. “We really did some nice stuff, and we learn new things every year,” says Bill. “The full tent dedicated to transportation, with Phil Jones, was very exciting.” Since getting from here to there is an integral part of our modern life, the transportation tent buzzed like a hive. And the opportunity to win a hybrid Toyota Prius just added to the excitement.

Between troubleshooting the functions of the festival, and manning his own booth, Berks Solar, Bill jokingly states “…someday, I should go to the Energy Fest!” Having a behind-the-scenes perspective about the solar industry he notes that some states and many European countries have taken the pursuit of alternative energy seriously, supporting the new and often expensive ventures. “A lot of solar and photovoltaic manufacturers in the US are sending things to Europe and states that have subsidies.” (p.s. phone your state legislator to tell them you are waiting’ for them to offer subsidies!)

Questioned about favorite programs, Bill can only comment on what he overheard passing visitors discuss: “We seemed to have a very good response to the keynote speaker, Jeffrey Smith, and his information about genetically modified foods (GMO’s)” and adding “The festival was well received.” Of special interest to Bill was the Friday Student Day, where over 750 students from area schools attended classes geared toward filling growing minds with the seeds of change and participating in their own future.

Add “Volunteer Coordinator for the Renewable Energy Fest” to the endless list of projects that Holly Cadwallader, from Monroe County, squeezes into her frantic schedule. “It always amazes me that people want to help,” says Holly. “It’s not for the free T-shirt, it’s because it’s the right thing to do. The servant’s heart is an amazing thing to witness.” Apathy? Just the opposite! Holly and her “excellent and extraordinary” assistants, Cindy Runyeon-Green and Carol Wentz, found that volunteers approached their chores - from trash collection to children’s activities to car parking - with a cheery attitude. Some even offered more than one shift of service. As a result, everything seemed to flow smoothly. Even the trash that was not recyclable or compostable, improved from last year of 45% in the dumpster to 10% in the dumpster. Holly notes that the time donated is what makes the festival function and her time organizing the pieces surely adds to that smooth function. Her favorite saying - Volunteers are not paid because they’re not worth it: they’re not paid because they’re priceless.

The Future City Team from Kutztown Middle School’s 7th grade Journey Class, not only created their Future City for the national competition, but also presented their project to all the other visiting schools who attended the Festival. Deni Tobin, age 12, presented her 7 minute speech with 7 minutes for Q & A, about the background of the project to passing students. When other Kutztown students took turns making the presentation, Deni wandered the fairgrounds to get ideas for next years Future City competition, enjoying the demonstration of how solar powered electric pumps transferred water and how biodiesel, a fuel made from soybeans, is being used to power cars and heat homes. She would have liked to talk with some of the exhibitors, to see what is being done now, but they were unavailable. “I liked presenting but I would have liked to learn more at the festival, too,” says Deni. “Unfortunately, only one grade from Kutztown gets to go to the festival. Every one would benefit from it. Some of the older grades should come because they forget what they did before or think it doesn’t matter.”

The challenge of creating a future community is exactly the goal of the Future City competition. Each year the theme changes, but the basic premise is how communities would to handle huge climate change, forcing an adjustment in their lives. Student essays accompany the display, but Deni feels an exciting model city is what interests the judges and other students. Last year, Kutztown’s Future City Team won first place in regional competitions and 4th place nationwide. “You need really good visuals and artwork,” says Deni. “The ideas are important, but it’s also important how you show your ideas in an exciting way. You need the eye candy.” Concept, presentation and delivery. Sharp minds applied for present and future.

The benefit for Steve Heine of representing Season’s Harvest Farm at the festival, was the opportunity to introduce the CSA concept to a larger audience. CSA, short for Community Supported Agriculture, is a farming concept where the community pre-purchases a share of local farm crops for a growing season. The community enjoys the farm landscapes and quality of place, financially supporting the farmer they care to keep in business. The Season’s Harvest booth overflowed with vegetables pick that morning from the Lenhartsville farm 3 miles away from the fairgrounds. The food doesn’t come any fresher and the connectedness of living near your food drastically cuts down on fuel and time wasted in transporting eatables for around the world. When it rains on my home, it is also raining at the farm that feeds my family. How retro! “We got our name out there to lots of new people,” says Steve, “But what was also really neat was meeting some of my CSA families who I pick and pack their food each week. It was great to actually see the folks.” The human, face-to-face networking was an integral part of the weekend. Steve’s talks with other local, family farmers who harvest organic eggs, honey and fruit created a potential future partnering that could benefit the entire community. Although he didn’t have time for any lectures or workshops, Steve did enjoy an occasional stroll through the exhibitor’s area where conversations with the representatives on everything from solar hook-up to biodiesel options to environmental approaches merely whet Steve’s appetite for personal and business application. “It was cool to see so many of the businesses are local. There’s a lot more going on here than I realized,” says Steve. “The festival was definitely worth it on all different levels!”

Betsy Eggerling, of Mertztown, found the family-friendly festival atmosphere so welcoming that it made strolling between demonstrations, programs and exhibitors easy. “I loved the Arm of the Sea’ puppet show,” says Betsy, always a kid at heart. The demonstrations showing some more historic approaches to “alternative” energy and sustainable living were an interesting juxtaposition to the modern, technical advances in fuel and power sources. And her family, visiting from Massachusetts, loved the local food made by volunteers from the Kempton Community Center. The challenge with many of the alternative energy products is the cost, but Betsy still found pleasure talking with the people who are doing the work to move energy options forward. “Right now, we’re just gathering information of what’s out there,” says Betsy. Really, that’s what life’s all about.

The timing of the Renewable Energy Fest was just perfect - fully in harmony with the timing of the old festivals that once revolved around celebrating harvest, according to Jesse Tobin of the Three Sisters Center for Healing Arts, based in Kutztown and Pottstown. “We don’t have the old glue that held communities together around harvest,” says Jesse. “They once had big festivals that pulled people out to celebrate. Crops were blessed and the community came together.” A festival based around renewable energy and sustainable lifestyles is the appropriate energy to surround a modern community celebration at Autumn solstice. Three Sisters Center for Healing Arts teaches the history and evolution of the practice of PA German Braucherei Healing, including home celebrations and traditions. Throughout the year, Three Sisters offers workshops and guild meetings that help heal and revive a historic, spiritual practice on the verge of being lost. “A lot of people are excited about the concepts and principals of Braucherei,” says Jesse. “They appreciate that we are preserving a tradition with a history. It’s not objective or scientific. People appreciate it because the strong sense of spirituality that’s lacking in our modern culture.” Jesse points out that virtually every PA Dutch community once had a Braucher to call on for healing, herbs and spiritual guidance. Holistic spirituality that incorporates all the aspects of our human needs goes a long way for a happy, healthy community. “Most people don’t associate the PA Dutch with spirituality,” says Jesse. “I love inspiring people but I also love breaking down the stigma of what people think they know.”

“Everybody wants to do the right thing,” says Abby Claypoole, of Kempton,” but it’s a matter of finding a way that makes financial sense.” Having an array of alternative energy options collected in one location gave Abby and her family some time to weigh and compare those options. The variety of exhibitors and speakers provided an overview that is the first step for most people trying to find a way to do something - anything - differently. “Everything was well run. We liked the kids section, too. Our youngest could take her nap under the shade tree while our older daughter could do art projects and my husband or I could visit the lectures or vendors,” says Abby. Her entire family enjoyed the idea that all the paper and “plastic” products used by the food vendors were completely compostable, created from paper, corn and sugar compounds. It all ties together.

The slow and subtle shift of the American psyche about consumption, fuel use and personal responsibility has sparked many new, innovative companies. Sometimes, it’s just a new approach applied to an old way of doing things. Steve Moyer is the 4th generation in the family owned Moyer’s Plumbing and Heating, of Kutztown. His interest in alternative fuel started as he and his wife searched for options for their personal heating needs. They found businesses in other states offered a home-fuel biodiesel that could be burned in traditional heating systems. Made from soybeans, biodiesel is non-toxic, bio-degradable and renewable. Understanding that the average American may not be willing or able to make sudden life-altering consumptions shifts, Moyer’s became the first biodiesel home heating fuel supplier in Pennsylvania. Switching from heating oil to biodiesel requires no change to your existing heating system. “Each year, with the economy changing, you have more people asking questions,” says Steve. “This year, there seemed to be more main stream people at the festival.” Steve beams as he introduces their exclusive Purofuel Biodiesel’, touting that switching to biodiesel can reduce heating system emissions by up to 80%. Given that maintaining “internal environment” in a home or business is the largest financial and energy demand, offering this heating option to the public is certainly something to be proud of. Of course, he is anxious to offer to his community a fuel that American farmers can grow, is better for the heating equipment and better for the environment. The highlight of the festival for Steve? “A 13 year old boy who asked me more questions that challenged me and let me know this younger generation gets it.”

Maybe we’re all slowly “getting it”. Remember the old “Stop, Look, Listen” signs to slow you down that once marked train crossings? It’s time to apply that to the rest of our lives. Subtle shifts or big leaps - they all add up. Want our kids to learn? Then lead. You know what to do - it’s in your heart.

Couldn’t make it this year? Mark your calendar for the same time next year and check these websites for more info:
www.paenergyfest.com
www.berkssolar.com
www.seasonsharvestfarm.com
www.threesisterscenter.com
www.moyerplumbingandheating.com

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