Developing Off-Grid Infrastructure

Personal sustainability in a land-based context.

TBD 2025

Earthaven Ecovillage
Near Asheville, NC

Join Brandon Greenstein for a discussion of Earthaven’s off-grid infrastructure systems, including water, waste, power, access, and buildings. Gain ideas and learn what questions to ask when you assess the land and explore systems appropriate for your project.

Because this class is based on a self-inquiry process, aimed at exposing what motivates YOU, you can learn a lot even if your project or orientation is different than Earthaven.

If you haven’t taken an Earthaven tour, consider attending the tour in the morning.

Registration

Village Terraces building at Earthaven Ecovillage

Engines in an off-grid micro-hydro power system

Program

10 am – noon: Optional Earthaven Ecovillage tour
Noon – 1 pm: Lunch – bring your own
1 – 4 pm: Presentation and discussion

Meet the Instructor

Brandon and Juan Pablo present the new Campground Cabin that they built from wood harvested and milled at Earthaven. To experience the cabin, register to camp when you register for the program.

Sliding Scale Tuition

Because some people have more financial means than others, we have created a sliding scale fee system to accommodate a range of economic realities. The high-end of the scale reflects the value we believe the program holds, and the low-end offers a more accessible entry point.

By choosing a higher price point, you are helping make the program more accessible to others for whom the low-end may be cost-prohibitive. Please consider your needs and resources to determine what might be a stretch, but not a strain.

Cost

Earthaven tour and program: TBD sliding scale

Program only: TBD sliding scale

Optional camping is extra. No food is provided or available at Earthaven.

Logistics

Food

No food is provided for the program. Please bring food that you will need.

Cancellation & Refunds

If you cancel your registration, you may:

Donate your tuition to support our continued work
Request a refund per our policy:
- 90% refund for cancellations prior to 30 days before the start of the program
- 50% refund for cancellations prior to 10 days before the start of the program
All refund requests received within one week of the start of the program will be considered within two weeks of the end of the program.

If SOIL cancels this program for any reason whatsoever, you would receive a 100% refund.

Lodging

Several accommodation options are available at Earthaven Ecovillage and in the surrounding area.

Camping (per adult)

2 nights $55
3 nights $65

Campground Cabin Shared Lodging (per bed)

2 nights $70
3 nights $85

Off-Site Options
Various options in Bat Cave, Black Mountain, and Asheville.

Sleeping bags and pads are available for rental for $15/set. Cleaning supplies to clean mats are available before and/or after use. SOIL launders the sleeping bags once a year.

Location

This program takes place at Earthaven Ecovillage. This permaculture-based community offers a unique living classroom where participants will engage with the natural world, eco-infrastructure, and the intimate experience of rural community living.

What to Expect at Earthaven

Instructor

Brandon Greenstein

Brandon (he/him) works with chainsaws, hand tools, heavy equipment, construction projects, water systems, and most everything having to do with the practicalities of ecological design. Meanwhile he also is pursuing trauma and body based therapy to support his work with people, community and earth. Brandon lives at Earthaven in an off-grid duplex, practicing community, partnering, parenting and philosophizing about existence and how to optimize it. He also is the Online Growers School Consulting Director and Sustainability Coach.

Full Profile Page

Registration

Complete the registration form for one or two adult participants. It takes 5-10 minutes, and you will complete your enrollment with a credit card authorization.

After your enrollment is processed, you will receive several confirmations…