Ferber's workshop ended with a Misou soup cooking lesson for interested participants. One local communitarian, who goes by the name Nexus, took conference organizers up on their invitation. Nexus is a member of Louisa's Twin Oaks Community, a local environmental commune. His presentation included a slide show explaining Twin Oaks's part in the Federation of Egalitarian Communities. Like other egalitarian communities, Twin Oaks is a self-sustaining group priding itself on independence from society and an environmentally harmonious way of life.
Members grow their own food and produce hammocks and tofu for an income.
Nexus said egalitarian communities offer a world solution for unemployment. University environmentalists, meanwhile, spoke about their success in changing the University's paper policy. S.A.V.E. members gave a workshop illustrating how the program became a model for schools across the country. I hope the conference will create more awareness about environmental issues. Despite the presence of recycled products and a recycling program at the University, second-year College student Becca Rockwood said few students are as aware as they should be.