In hopes of better preserving the earth for future generations, husband and wife Environmental Chemists and Castleton faculty members Andy Vermilyea and Hilary Easter attempt to homestead and live in a sustainable manner. Between gardening fresh greens, raising and butchering their own protein, producing maple syrup and wine from local ingredients and chopping firewood from their property to heat 95 percent of their home through the winter, the two are dedicated to becoming more self-sufficient, while reducing their carbon footprint.
“We are not the most sustainable people, but we are conscious of our resources and consider sustainability in most everything we do,” said Vermilyea, an Assistant Professor of Environmental Chemistry. “Most resources we take for granted are to some degree limited and trying to live sustainably is our way of reducing our individual impact on these resources.”
Having been conscious of sustainable living since a young age, the two focus on different aspects of sustainability depending on their current location. Since moving to Vermont, they have honed in on living from the land and embraced renewable energy after recently joining a community solar array, which will offset nearly all of their homes electrical usage. Living only a few miles from campus, they bike to work when weather permits and often carpool in their Prius C for trips into town to save fuel.
The duo’s passion for sustainability also carries over into their work on campus. At Castleton Andy serves as the co-chairperson of the Green Campus Initiative Working Group, organizes the Castleton EcoReps, and is advisor to the Sustainability Club, while Hilary takes a green approach to teaching her Organic Chemistry labs by having students work on a micro scale, thus significantly reducing the solvent waste generated.
“Living sustainable is important to us because we have lived in some spectacular places like Vermont, Colorado, and Alaska, and future generations should be able to enjoy these beautiful places as well,” said Easter, Laboratory Manager and Instructor in the Natural Sciences Department. “We love the outdoors and enjoy our natural environment.”