BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 PRODID:-//ChamberMaster//Event Calendar 2.0//EN METHOD:PUBLISH X-PUBLISHED-TTL:P3D REFRESH-INTERVAL:P3D CALSCALE:GREGORIAN BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20250718 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20250721 TRANSP:TRANSPARENT X-MICROSOFT-CDO-ALLDAYEVENT:TRUE SUMMARY:Michigan Ecovillages and Intentional Communities Tour DESCRIPTION:Michigan Ecovillages and Intentional Communities Tour: July 17-24\, 2025 Discover sustainable living practices on Michigan's first "Ecovillages and Intentional Communities Tour\," running July 17-24\, 2025. This free\, eight-day event offers a unique opportunity to explore existing and developing ecovillages and intentional communities across Michigan\, highlighting successful community-building and ecological innovations. Organized by Tom Stanton of Community Energy Solutions\, LLC\, the tour aims to showcase "well-proven solutions that are poised for implementation in all communities." While there's no set definition for an ecovillage\, most incorporate local agriculture (including permaculture)\, land-use protection\, and energy-efficient building practices. Tour Highlights: July 18: Benzonia\, Cedar\, and Traverse City - Focus on local community energy futures\, food systems\, and economic development\, with visits to GrowBenzie and Telford Farm. Includes a presentation from the Leelanau Energy Project. July 19: Boyne Falls and Traverse City - Tour GasTechno Corporation's "energy center" for bio-energy production\, local agriculture\, and biofuel development. Features a presentation on community investing options by Chris Miller of the National Coalition for Community Capital (NC3). July 20: Crystal Mountain and Grand Rapids - Learn about sustainable practices at Crystal Mountain\, and hear a presentation from Jim MacInnes\, PE\, on ways to transition to a clean energy future through electrification. Later\, visit a new Tiny Home Neighborhood in Grand Rapids aimed at addressing homelessness. Daily agendas and RSVP forms are available on the July Events Calendar: https://www.communityenergysolutions.info/events. X-ALT-DESC;FMTTYPE=text/html:Michigan Ecovillages and Intentional Communities Tour: July 17-24\, 2025 Discover sustainable living practices on Michigan'\;s first "\;Ecovillages and Intentional Communities Tour\,"\; running July 17-24\, 2025. This free\, eight-day event offers a unique opportunity to explore existing and developing ecovillages and intentional communities across Michigan\, highlighting successful community-building and ecological innovations. Organized by Tom Stanton of Community Energy Solutions\, LLC\, the tour aims to showcase "\;well-proven solutions that are poised for implementation in all communities."\; While there'\;s no set definition for an ecovillage\, most incorporate local agriculture (including permaculture)\, land-use protection\, and energy-efficient building practices. Tour Highlights: &bull\; July 18: Benzonia\, Cedar\, and Traverse City - Focus on local community energy futures\, food systems\, and economic development\, with visits to GrowBenzie and Telford Farm. Includes a presentation from the Leelanau Energy Project. &bull\; July 19: Boyne Falls and Traverse City - Tour GasTechno Corporation'\;s "\;energy center"\; for bio-energy production\, local agriculture\, and biofuel development. Features a presentation on community investing options by Chris Miller of the National Coalition for Community Capital (NC3). &bull\; July 20: Crystal Mountain and Grand Rapids - Learn about sustainable practices at Crystal Mountain\, and hear a presentation from Jim MacInnes\, PE\, on ways to transition to a clean energy future through electrification. Later\, visit a new Tiny Home Neighborhood in Grand Rapids aimed at addressing homelessness. Daily agendas and RSVP forms are available on the July Events Calendar: https://www.communityenergysolutions.info/events. LOCATION:July 18: Benzonia\, Cedar\, and Traverse City July 19: Boyne Falls and Traverse City July 20: Crystal Mountain and Grand Rapids UID:e.1737.18624 SEQUENCE:3 DTSTAMP:20260417T045135Z URL:https://business.benzie.org/events/details/michigan-ecovillages-and-intentional-communities-tour-18624 END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR