Ohio Green Living

Our Story:

Ohio Green Living is the dream child of five Ohioans who have, each in their own way, worked as pioneers in the field of sustainable living within Ohio.

Tim and Margaret Chavez originated the solar stage at Comfest (Columbus, OH) as well as worked for a number of years as organizers for Susfest (Athens, OH).  Tim maintains the website www.anythingsolar.com.

Richard Jensen of the Flying J Farm is an organic farmer, pilot and board member of OEFFA (Ohio Ecological Food & Farm Association).

Jay and Annie Warmke own and run Blue Rock Station, a Green Living Center in Philo, OH.  It features Ohio’s first Earthship, straw bale buildings, rare breed chickens, llamas and more.  They also served as organizers of Susfest and have spoken on green living at numerous events across the nation.

After working independently on other projects, they decided to join together to “grow” the green living movement within Ohio by offering learning opportunities that are fun, interesting and sometimes even adventurous.

The organizing committee has since expanded to include active eco-preneurs from across the state.

The goal is to create or encourage events that focus on green living by providing workshops, demonstrations and music to teach sustainable living skills in a fun and entertaining atmosphere.

The first Green Living Fayre was held on Labor Day in 2007.  Ohio’s First Lady Francis Strickland attended the event at the Flying J Farm, along with about 750 other guests.  The Fayre was once again held at the Flying J Organic Farm in 2008, attracting more than 1,000 visitors.

After the 2008 event it was determined that the event had outgrown the capacity of the Flying J, so organizers moved the Fayre to Zane’s Landing park in downtown Zanesville, Ohio.

Also in 2008, the Board finalized an operational agreement to become affiliated with Simply Living, a not-for-profit based in Columbus that promotes sustainable lifestyle.