Our Town: Fairfield, Iowa

Fairfield is a tiny town of 10,000 nestled amongst fields of corn. But don’t let the size fool you. Thanks to Maharishi University and Maharishi School, the town’s capabilities are amplified and is on par with larger cities. Meditation is fuel for creativity and this has led to some truly amazing accomplishments.

Economy
We have a vibrant startup community that includes 400 small businesses that provide jobs to 3,000 people. Many business owners and leaders are homegrown alumni from our school and they have raised a combined $200 million in venture capital. Our residents are big believers in giving back to the community and Fairfield’s Jefferson County ranks fifth among all U.S. counties in per-capita charitable contributions.

Sustainability
The Fairfield Go-Green Sustainability Commission was born in 2009. It’s a community-wide plan to incorporate sustainable practices throughout the city that has resulted in many all-green buildings, and huge impacts in the areas of energy, transportation, and infrastructure. Fairfield has one of America’s largest concentrations of solar homes and our EcoVillage is a community of permaculture homes that run completely on solar and wind power.
Our town has a deep commitment to sustainability that has led to a boost in organic farming which allows us to offer fresh farm-to-table food on campus and has made Fairfield, Iowa the 5th largest market for organic foods in the country.

Culture
Fairfield has become Iowa’s foremost arts center, with over 10 galleries and art venues. The Stephen Sondheim Center for the Performing Arts is centrally located in downtown Fairfield and is a 500-seat theater which hosts a wide range of plays, musicals, and other events. We also have a robust monthly Art Walk during warmer months that attracts visitors from all over the state. It’s not uncommon to meet people who drove from nearby states just to come to the ever-popular Art Walk!

Recreation and Parks
Fairfield offers students and community members many opportunities for recreation, including a 33-mile trail system perfect for walking, jogging, biking, and cross-country skiing in the winter. The network connects lakes, prairies, woodlands, wetlands, and a state preserve. In addition, 10 beautiful parks offer facilities including a fresh-water swimming lake with a sandy beach, playgrounds, shelters, picnic areas, and more.

Recognition
Named one of America’s best small towns to visit by Smithsonian Magazine, Fairfield is big on culture and thriving on creativity. Fairfield lives like a metropolitan community, earning distinctions such as one of Iowa’s “Great Places” and being dubbed “America’s most unusual town” by Oprah. Buzzfeed calls Fairfield one of “11 Coolest Small Cities It’s Time To Road Trip To.”

Come for a road trip…and stay awhile!