Yesterday, the Academy of Self-Reliance sponsored a tour of David Allan’s 2,000 square foot passive solar home that was built in the early '90s. See the link below. This experience was life-changing for the 15 attendees, seeing firsthand, a passive solar home that has proven successful for decades. David’s tour was filled with a wealth of hands-on experience in passive solar design, all the way through the construction phase and almost 30 years of living in this wonderful home. We toured not only the home with a clear and concise description of the ten passive solar home elements built into his home, but we also toured a geodesic dome and a Walipini greenhouse. 

In addition, June has been an exciting and busy month. First, the property closed for the Utah OSR Land Cooperative. Second, their surveying is close to being done and parcel selection for the first 35 shareholders is taking place now. Third, nine families have started moving their belongings out to the Ranch and storing them in their storage containers that are on site. Fourth, OSR Green received their first 2 pallets of solar panels for the first two homes being started within the next couple of weeks and another 6 homes are scheduled to start within the 60-90 days. 

An overnight celebration and ground-breaking events are being scheduled for July. This is being coordinated with two meteor showers, the Southern Delta Aquarids (SDA) and Perseids (PER). There will be a dance and fun for all. There will be more information in the coming days.

This is indeed a time for celebration.

Many said that this project would never get off the ground. That has proven false. Others say that there is not enough time. Again, they will be proven wrong. It is a tribute to the human will and the help of a loving Heavenly Father, that OSR is moving forward helping families transition from the city lifestyle of dependency to a country culture of self-reliance with like-minded neighbors.

God speed,
Philip J. Gleason
Director

David Allen's Solar Home Link: http://www.allanstime.com/SolarHome/index.html

David Allen and Steve Marks during the solar home tour.

WILD EDIBLE PLANTS

How can I know which wild plants are edible?

Which plants should I stay away from?

Can I harvest these plants?

You've got questions, and we've got answers! Join us this Thursday!

*Please note that after you register, you will receive an email invitation with a website link and info with instructions on how to view the live webinar.

Do you have a gift, talent or experience with being self-reliant that you could share among us?

If so, we invite you to submit an article to be published in the Academy Newsletter. To help you submit your article, Coleen Gleason, one of our editors, will be happy to assist you. You can contact her or send your articles to her at coleen@academyosr.com. Upon review and acceptance, you will be notified when your article will be published.

Thank you for sharing!

Here's what we've got going on!

Want to learn how to achieve greater self-reliance in our 250-family modern homesteading community? Then check out our Intro Meetings where we discuss what you can do, and where to start!

Would you like a personal tour of the site of a 250-family homestead community being built on the Utah OSR Land Co-op's 1,245-acre Riverbed Ranch in Juab County, Utah? Then join us for our Munch & Mingle Tour! We'll show you what we're doing now, and what we have planned for the future!

For more details and information about each of our events, click the button to visit our Events Page.

Join us this June for our very first tree planting event!
 
There are several projects happening at the Riverbed Ranch involving planting trees and shrubs to begin regenerating the soil and providing forage for bees in areas around the Welcome Center, the 40 acre Special Projects Center (The Academy Campus, Rescue Home, Therapy Barn, etc.), and eventually the future Green Belt/Waterway. Initial planting projects will begin where water is already available to keep plants alive, and many plants and cuttings are already being gathered to get this started!
 
In mid-June, 2020, we will be inviting OSR shareholders AND the interested public to come to the Riverbed Ranch for a 1-day mass tree planting event. The primary goal of this 1-day event is to plant 2,020 trees and shrubs in one day, and of course, the secondary goals include socializing and gathering public interest in regenerative agriculture and the mission of the Academy of Self-Reliance and Utah Land Co-Op!
 
Crowdfunding and Advertising campaigns are launching soon to gather funds and participants. There is additional help needed, of course! Below is one specific role we are looking to fill, but of course this 1-day event will only be accomplished with many helping hands.

Please contact Sarah Vezzani at loftium4@gmail.com if you are interested in filling the below role or would like to help in other ways.
 
POINT PERSON NEEDED FOR DAY-OF FESTIVITIES:

Responsibilities include planning and coordinating the people-related logistics of the day: checking participants in, distributing water bottles and T-shirts, directing families to different stations (rest areas with snacks, bathrooms, baby changing/feeding area), ensuring everyone has necessary equipment (and training if needed!) to help out, organizing activities for younger children, and entertainment (can simply be music playing - we have a volunteer for supplying the sound system)

HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE!

Have you heard? We're building a ropes course!

The Academy OSR Ropes Course will offer a unique series of team-building exercises that will have a variety of activities and programs that will challenge you, your friends, family, coworkers, and teammates to master challenges and conquer fears.

This state-of-the-art facility incorporates a continuous belay system that provides for maximum safety as participants learn and internalize concepts such as:

• problem-solving   • leadership skills   • communication   • self-confidence

. . . and so much more! We truly believe this will bless the lives of the young, and the not-so-young. 

GRANT UPDATE: We have completed the preliminary two steps necessary to qualify for committee consideration for a grant from the State of Utah for the Ropes Course. We finished the application and the final committee will meet May 6-7 to determine who will be awarded for this year.

Are you on social media? Then let's connect!

We'd love to have you join our Facebook Group, where we post about upcoming events and meetings where you and your friends can learn more about what we're doing! It's a great and easy way to help spread the word!

We are in the process of providing a discount for solar-energy equipment.  We have selected Sol-Ark as a supplier.

To increase our discounts, we are needing to combine our purchases.  We can get improved discounts if we place an order for 10 or more units.  And at 20 or more units, we receive an even larger discount.

If you are thinking of purchasing solar-energy equipment, whether for your new home, existing home, friend’s home, camping, etc…, please fill out our online questionnaire so that we can combine our orders and get big savings.

This is not a commitment to purchase at this time.  We are only getting a list of potential buyers.