History /

History

"He who receives ideas from me, receives instruction himself without lessening mine; as he who lights his taper at mine receives light without darkening me"

- Thomas Jefferson

Big Green Summer grew out of an informal internship program started in 1998 at Surya Nagar Farm and in 2000 at Abundance Ecovillage (Iowa - http://www.abundance-ecovillage.com) that has served hundreds of students. This program was developed and directed by Big Green Summer founders Lonnie and Valerie Gamble.

Big Green Summer was developed with major support from Grinnell College, the Iowa Natural Heritage foundation and dozens of smaller contributors.

Permaculture Design is a complex, interdisciplinary field. We have over 30 faculty members with specialties that include architecture, biology, natural building, metalworking, water systems, organic agriculture, renewable energy, tree crops, urban planning, and much more. Our faculty has grown to include former students like Grover Stock, Marie Silva, and Brian Robbins.

Our current board includes Martha Norbeck, Diana Krystofiak, Brian Robbins, Lonnie Gamble, and Ben Stallings, Rick Ryerse, Roger Gipple, and Grover Stock.