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John Farber
Old Trail School

The Nominator: Kristin Spindel & Beth Watson, Old Trail School

How has the nominee implemented sustainable business practices in his or her business or organization?
Nestled in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park, Old Trail School provides a comprehensive curriculum with a commitment to academic excellence, service learning and global sustainability. These are the words John Farber, Head of Old Trail School, has used in the School’s current mission statement. John has lead the way for our faculty, staff, students, and families to be aware of our impact on the planet and change. John has kicked off our commitment to global sustainability in two major endeavors. First, John has started a Sustainability Committee, which has created and implemented a Sustainability Plan. We have five areas of focus; curriculum, facilities, operations, food and recycling. Second, in October 2008, he replaced Old Trail’s septic system, which was originally built in the 1960s to accommodate 200 people, with an environmentally friendly and educational system called The Living Machine. It was decided that the Living Machine and adjacent Greenhouse classroom was best for the School, the students, our community and the environment. A Living Machine is an eco-friendly system that uses a natural approach to treating wastewater and comprises horticultural systems, bacteria and other environmentally friendly components. The Greenhouse will serve as both a learning center and headquarters for all Old Trail sustainability initiatives. The building will be used to teach hands-on lessons in ecology, architecture, agriculture, aquaculture, engineering and environmental sustainability to Old Trail students and students from schools throughout the region. Students will conduct various experiments and monitor the machine’s efficiency and may also work on projects to reintroduce extinct species of plants and fish into the Cuyahoga Valley National Park; first cultivating them in the Greenhouse and eventually transplanting them into the Park. These experiences will significantly enhance students’ understanding of their natural world.
What are the triple bottom line benefits (people, planet, prosperity) of the nominee`s work?
The staff, students and families of Old Trail School have benefited greatly from John`s leadership. His addition to the mission statement has allowed teachers and students the freedom to hold class outside as well as explore issues that are important to them. Our first graders have asked for and received reusable water bottles to use for their next eight years at Old Trail School. They wanted to reduce their waste after seeing how many plastic bottles were thrown out in one week. I wonder how many of them will take the same bottles to high school and college? Our third graders researched and tested biodegradable spoons. They passed on their research to our state representatives as well as our own cafeteria. Our cafeteria has stopped using plastic spoons and bowls. Our staff has worked hard to pass on many tips like explaining the low flush toilets, the strange recycled carpet squares in the hallway, and the loud hand dryer in the restrooms. The students also enjoy helping with the composting, recycling the paper from every room in the school and turn off the lights in the classroom. Our planet is benefiting from our reducing our own impact on Earth as well as passing on knowledge and respect to the next generation. Prosperity comes in two ways. Our students prosper by learning that they can do something to help out planet. Our alumni, our board, and our families are proud of our work toward our global sustainability.

How has the nominee inspired you to implement sustainable business practices?
John has given me permission to stress the importance of global sustainability by adding it to our mission statement. I often hold classes outside for no other reason than it is a beautiful day. I, like many other teachers at Old Trail School, have added many more sustainability pieces to my curriculum. My sixth grade class identified the plants at our school so we could make a field guide. We then filled a dumpster with the invasive Garlic Mustard that is destroying our diverse ecosystem. This year I am working with the seventh graders to create a video to explain the details of our Living Machine (waste water treatment system).

How can someone else translate the success of the nominee? Is the work of the nominee an example or model that others can follow?
John Farber wants to share what Old Trail teaches and what we learn. As a School we will welcome many visitors to the Greenhouse. We are dedicated to building a program that fosters a deep understanding of the natural world, something that is often lost among today’s schoolchildren. We will be grounded in hands-on experiences that will lead to sustainable patterns of living and our outreach program will engage students and visitors from a diverse background of ages and interests. John’s respect for the environment has translated into a school-wide respect, which is evident in our student`s daily actions. The students are aware of our dedication to the environment and often confront parents and teachers about using less, recycling more and respecting our environment. "Shouldn`t you recycle that?" has been heard by many teachers as a student notices them forgetfully throwing something in the trash. Last spring our middle school students raised over $1800 for the Cuyahoga Valley National Park Association. Last month our 50 seventh grade students had a picnic after spending all morning studying a pond. After lunch they hopped on a bus without leaving any trash for their teachers to pick up. Students at Old Trail School want to debate about the status of polar bears or research the different biomes of the world because the adults in their life allow it and let them know how connected we are to our environment.

How does the nominee actively participate in the sustainability community? How do they collaborate and share their knowledge with others?
John has worked with many individuals in our community to become aware of and help others become aware of the sustainable options that are out there. He is working hard to reduce our carbon footprint in our current facilities. As he plans on expanding our facilities he communicates with others the sustainable options that will work for our facility (solar panels) and the options that will not work for our facility ( wind turbine in the Cuyahoga Valley). John shares our sustainability plan with others. This has been a tool to motivate us, a great piece to show possible donors, and we pass it on to inspire others. Many cutting edge technologies will be integrated into this project, which will bring prominence to our region and likely national attention. Although we have not yet begin to publicize this project, we are already receiving several calls daily from schools, corporations and non-profit organizations about tours of the facility. The Living Machine will be the second and largest in the state of Ohio and one of roughly 20 in the entire nation.