Ecology is Everywhere: Episode 6, Joel Alex (Blue Ox Malthouse)
“If I had to go beyond just the impact of the professionalism and quality of the staff that I worked with at The Ecology School, I would say that the biggest influences on my personal direction after The Ecology School in terms of the philosophies was this idea of sustainability as applied human ecology. This idea that really ecology isn’t separate from humans and if we just take ecology and apply it to human societies, we arrive at sustainability principles. ”
Joel Alex, founder of Blue Ox Malthouse, (Fall ‘08 and ‘09 Educator) tells the story of his transformation from environmental educator to food industry entrepreneur, and highlights the impact that his experience teaching human ecology had on that journey.
Joel and his siblings, Jessica and Juli, approached The Ecology School about honoring their parents’ commitment to environmental education by naming an outdoor study space at River Bend Farm after them. Read more about the gift honoring Joanne and Joe here.
Links from this Episode:
Ecology is Everywhere is a podcast about environmental education and the places it takes us. Host Philip Mathieu speaks with guests who share a common experience: teaching one or more seasons of outdoor, experiential environmental science at The Ecology School, an non-profit based in Saco, ME. Hear how an experience teaching can impact lives and careers in interesting and sometimes unexpected ways.
Joel Alex at River Bend Farm.
Joel, along with his sister Jess (far left), and Drew at the Groundbreaking Ceremony at River Bend Farm in July 2019.