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Atalanta Thrives
(
1711
Reads
)
Posted by
Anonymous
Wednesday, May 29, 2002
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By Safiya
The essence of Atalanta is the principle of sustainability, in the environment, the economy, spiritual inclusiveness, diverse cultural enrichment, celebration of life, and social well being.
We call Atalanta a Hearthfire Community. This is because we hold a vision of keeping the fires burning for our local, as well as our world society, to grow and thrive harmoniously. Atalanta is a place where people can come and experience a new way of thinking and behaving, a way that will ensure a peaceful collective future. Atalanta honors our ancestors as well as those who will inherit the blessings of our earthly home. The concept of sustainability provides the fuel with which we keep the fires alive. Together we can nurture the spark that motivates us to steward our planet without compromising our inherent connection to all life.
We invite you to "learn to live with personal responsibility in peace and harmony with all creation..." at Atalanta. Warm yourselves at this hearthfire, from which you may come and light your own torch, carry it back out into the world, and pass it onÖ
What's New at Atalanta?
The Garden is thriving beautifully with caretakers living on site and a new garden manager, Alycia, who comes to us with expertise, enthusiasm, and a commitment to the Atalanta concept. (Alycia receives a small stipend for her position). The Garden crew produced a successful Earth Day event, providing entertainment, booths, and a tour of the garden. 13 new members were generated.
The Dairy Goat and Sheep Cooperative has completed plans for the milk house and cheese making facility. $5000 is the estimated cost to begin the infrastructure development of the cheese plant, which will include extending the water system to the site and pouring a slab for the foundation.
The Baca Grande Stables are now completely integrated into the project, with Atalanta holding the lease. Trinidad High School students, through the Epycs Program (El Pomar), have granted $300 to Atalanta to supplement the Therapeutic Riding Program. The first group this year will be from San Luis Valley Comprehensive Mental Health (June 5th-6th)
Summer Horse Camp, a successful program for the past 5 years, starts on June 9th, as well as the overnight and day camps provided free for local youth.
New Project! Atalanta will begin working with faculty of Trinidad College in Alamosa. The college is developing research on integrated systems of cold water aquaculture. The primary emphasis in aquaculture has traditionally focused on warm water environments. The benefits of the cold water research are reduction of bacterial and fungal contamination and popular agreement that cold water fish taste better and are consequently more economically viable. In addition, location of such aquaculture systems is not limited to natural geothermal or artificially warmed water sources. The project involves using cold water cycling through cold water fish environment tanks ñ then cold water friendly plants, (with edibles like watercress) ñ then completing the cycle with irrigation. This is an exciting and evolutionary opportunity for Atalantaís mission of sustainability and as an experiential learning center.
Brainstorming for the needs of our first latihan/residential meeting facility was completed at a meeting in May with Joanna, Frederick, Mutahar, Lucien, and Joyce. Architectural plans have been drawn and an artistic rendering is forthcoming. This should help with our fundraising drive so that we can have the facility ready by summer 2003 and the Vitachi Youth Conference!
Measure by measure Atalanta is manifesting its vision. Planning, programming, and overall management of Atalanta is accomplished by a completely volunteer team. Membership is open to all who share our vision of sustainability and well being. We are continually working to create an environment that will ultimately sustain itself without the necessity of asking for handouts from our friends!
Spring Board Meeting
The Atalanta Board of Directors met over the weekend of April 12-14, as spring began to bud. The weather was cooperative with clear, blue, cool skies and bright sunshine.
Vitachi Youth Conference
The Atalanta board welcomed guests Reynold Feldman and Illene Pevec from the Vitachi Youth Project when they met for a board meeting for three days in April. Our guests made the proposal that the next youth conference, in summer 2003, be held at Atalanta. The theme of this conference will be "Sustainability for a Human Future." After discussion and exploration of issues, the board voted to approve the proposal. The boardís consensus was that the conference would be a true representation of what Atalanta is about. This is an opportunity for youth to experience what it means to "learn to live with personal responsibility in peace and harmony with all creation."
Participants of the conference will attend a wide variety of activities. For example, workshops in sustainable enterprise and natural building methods are possible through hands-on experience with the High Valley Dairy Goat and Sheep Cooperative (Atalanta is a founding member and will provide the location of the cheese-making facility). The Atalanta Cooperative Orchard Garden, (an example of sustainability through permaculture design and community supported agriculture), will also provide a venue for some of the many workshops.
The rest of the agenda was full, with items of discussion including communication issues, accountability, our fundraising drive, and the building of the first latihan/dorm/classroom facility on the Atalanta land in time for the Vitachi Youth Conference. Money is always a challenge and new ways of generating funds were proposed. The experience and expertise contributed by Reynold Feldman expanded our vision of what is possible in fundraising for this incredible project.
Over all, we had a productive weekend and the board came away with a renewed sense of purpose and commitment.
For more information, contact us at P.O. Box 105, Crestone, CO 81131, 719-256-4446 or atalanta@amigo.net
Current Wish List: I need a little technical advice with getting atalanta.org online If you feel moved to volunteer, please call Safiya (888)294-9724 or mzsafiya@yahoo.com
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