October 18, 2016 was a beautiful day for two Truman classes to tour and provide service to the Possibility Alliance eco project near LaPlata, Missouri. Students from Dr. Alicia Wodika’s JINS 336, Environmental Justice course, and Dr. Janice Clark’s HLTH 362, Environmental Health course learned about the mission and principles of the 10 year “experiment” at the Possibility Alliance (PA) from founders, Ethan and Sarah Hughes. While there, students were reminded to use their “gifts,” and combine their passion with what breaks their heart to find their life’s purpose. They toured parts of the original 80-acre farm and learned about native species of herbs, vegetables, flowers, and fruit and nut trees in the yard and five gardens, where “everything is edible and/or medicinal.” Students were reminded about the importance of spending time outdoors to reduce help them reduce stress, obtain exercise, and live more holistically.
Students learned about the Possibility Alliance’s gift economy where the founders and PA residents don’t charge for any of the services, housing, or food they provide to the 1,500 guests who visit each year. After the tour, the 29 HLTH 362 and JINS 336 students contributed their sweat equity on several fall projects at the Possibility Alliance. Groups of students cut wood for winter fuel, gathered berries to make jam, and prepared apples for canning applesauce. Pictures of the work groups are posted below.
Above from left are a group of wood cutters who include Taylor Steinhart, Mackenzie Maher, Ty Gould, Melanie King, Marita Moore, Andy Summers, Alyssa Marin, a PA intern, and Dan ( PA resident).
The individuals pictured above developing their upper arm strength on the cross-cut saw are from left: Emmy Fry, Benjamin Lasser (holding wood to be cut), Ethan Hughes (PA co-founder), and Rachel Hanson.
The berry picking crew is pictured above. They are: (kneeling, front row): Katie Schott, Marissa McBurnett, Abby Mansley, Briana Niedling, and Madison Thornburg. Standing from left are: Clarice Schmid, ??, Madeline Thomas, ??, 2 PA interns, Creighton University student, Brendan Cronley, Emily Hahn, and Madison Cockrum.
Some students worked near the outdoor kitchen preparing apples to be pureed into applesauce and canned are pictured above from left: Momi Sagoe, Ikeolu Oladipo, Sarah Hughes (PA co-founder), Ayla Hughes (Sarah & Ethan’s daughter), and Sidney Shields.