Sustainable Community
Local Green Initiatives
The Fairfield Community
Sustainable Initiatives
- Maharishi School is an active participant in the Fairfield Go-Green Sustainability Commission that began developing a community-wide plan to incorporate sustainable practices throughout the city in 2009. This plan impacts areas of energy, transportation, infrastructure, agriculture, and municipal services.
- Fairfield is the fifth largest market for organic food in America and is home to dozens of organic farms, ranging from market gardens to 100-acre farms.
- The surrounding county has more acreage devoted to sustainable organic agriculture than any other county in Iowa. Fairfield also has an organic dairy farm and one of the Midwest’s few permaculture sites.
- Fairfield has one of America’s largest concentrations of solar homes, including many in Maharishi Vedic City, two miles north of Fairfield. Abundance EcoVillage — a community north of campus — integrates the best in permaculture and modern environmental design. EcoVillage is completely solar and wind-powered and has homes using only 1/3 to 1/4 the energy of conventional homes.
- Maharishi International University was the first U.S. university to offer a Sustainable Living degree. They have also built a Sustainable Living classroom building that uses a combination of wind, solar, and geothermal energy. The Schwartz-Guich Sustainable Living Center goes beyond net zero and actually creates more energy than it uses. That’s part of the reason why it was called “the ultimate green building” by the Associated Press.
- Fairfield and MIU co-host the annual EcoFair, featuring the nation’s leading experts in ecological design, renewable energy, sustainable agriculture and related areas.
- The largest natural food store in southeast Iowa — Everybody’s Whole Foods — is located a few blocks from the Maharishi International University campus.
- Fairfield also hosts the popular weekly Farmers Market from May through October. Vendors offer locally grown produce, as well as baked goods and a large selection of handmade arts and crafts.
- Our Mayor, Connie Boyer, grew up in Fairfield and is a sixth-generation Jefferson County resident. She and husband, Bob, own Seven Roses Inn Bed and Breakfast in Fairfield.
Blue Zone
Blue Zone Project
Our Campus
Our campus is a Blue Zone community. The Blue Zones Project is a community well-being initiative that aims to improve the health and happiness of people by making healthy choices easier:
- Focus on the Life Radius
The Blue Zones Project focuses on the area within 20 miles of home, where people spend 90% of their time.
- Use people, places, and policy
The Blue Zones Project uses these levers to transform the environment and make healthy choices easier.
- Develop relationships with organizations
The Blue Zones Project works with schools, restaurants, grocery stores, and other organizations to make healthy choices the easy choice.
- Create interest-based groups
The Blue Zones Project promotes the formation of groups called Moais, where members motivate each other to eat well, move naturally, and cultivate purpose.
- Foster interaction between students and older adults
The Blue Zones Project’s Legacy projects connect students with older adults to alleviate loneliness and expand perspectives.
The Blue Zones Project uses evidence-based lessons of longevity known as the Blue Zones Power 9. The goal is to create vibrant communities where residents are happier, healthier, and more engaged with each other.
