Our Roots

The Sustainable Living Coalition was founded in 2004 by Lonnie and Valerie Gamble, Diana Krystofiak, and Grover Stock.   

The SLC is working to provide a focal point allowing organizations in Iowa to carry out innovative projects, and provide hands on education and training. The founding SLC vision was -- To enrich our local and regional communities by building coalitions and creating educational models for the purpose of developing sustainable practices and policies in the areas of: agriculture, building, community design, transportation, energy and waste treatment. 

Our past projects include:
Southeast Iowa Buy Fresh Buy Local
Beaming Bioneers: Bringing Bioneers to Fairfield
The Peaceful Diet Conference
The Angoon Conservation Initiative
Big Green Summer at Surya Nagar
Renew Fairfield

In 2006, thanks to a grant from Iowa Great Places, major support from Grinnell College, Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation, and dozens of other contributors,  the SLC purchased and began developing a 12 acre permaculture education campus north of Fairfield.  This previously unused agricultural plot is now home to a large straw bale building, renewable energy systems, rain water catchment systems, and the beginnings of a beautiful permaculture inspired garden.

Our course offerings draw on over 30 guest instructors with specialties that include architecture, biology, beekeeping, bio-intensive gardening, gardening, natural building, metalworking, water systems, organic agriculture, renewable energy, tree crops, urban planning, and much more.