AP Environmental Science and chemistry teacher Randy Shangraw will move to Veridian at County Farms, Ann Arbor, after the 2024-2025 school year. This move is more than a change of scenery, this new community will be one of the nation’s first solar powered, net zero energy, fossil fuel free communities.
After teaching at Potomac Falls for 13 years, AP Environmental Science and Chemistry teacher Randy Shangraw is starting a new chapter. He and his wife will move to Veridian at County Farms, Ann Arbor, after the 2024-2025 school year finishes.
Veridian at County Farms is different from typical neighborhoods for several reasons. The most apparent being its commitment to environmental sustainability and total lack of fossil fuel use. The community describes itself as “100% fossil fuel free.”
Instead of utilizing typical fossil fuels such as gas, oil, and natural gas, the community is completely reliant on renewable energy sources. Families will be using sonnen batteries to power their homes and the Michigan Public Service Commission has approved a microgrid which utilizes the community’s solar energy from solar panels.
Shangraw first heard about this community through his son who attended the University of Michigan. “When we were up there visiting, we actually heard about this community called Veridian at County Farms in Ann Arbor, Michigan. We started reading about it on the internet and visited and met the guys who had this vision,” said Shangraw.
The concept behind the community was created by environmentalist and founder of THRIVE Collaborative, Matthew Grocoff. THRIVE Collaborative is the real estate developer, designer, building, and consulting firm creating the farm.
The main concept behind the community is that people can live comfortably and reduce emissions. Most people in the world with a low carbon footprint are from third world countries without access to machines like dishwashers, washing machines, ovens, stoves, etc. The Veridian community wants to prove that sustainable living is possible for everyone.
“We have to reduce our carbon footprint, we have to stop using fossil fuels as our main source of energy. Not only in the United States but worldwide. The guy who is developing this community is trying to demonstrate that while living comfortably, we can electrify everything,” said Shangraw.
Many people agree that environmental concerns are important but think this style of living is too expensive. Some wish they could be more environmentally conscious, but the cost of items like electric cars and vegan products is too much.
Although it’s true that homes in the Veridian community are expensive, between $875k and $950k per house, maintaining the homes is cheaper and certain bills are nonexistent. Because the community doesn’t use certain fossil fuels this will “vertically eliminate energy bills” according to the Veridian at County Farm website.
“I think in general it’s gonna be simpler than maintaining a house like the one we have right now,” said Shangraw.
The people behind the community also recognize how important it is for everyone to be environmentally conscious. Everyone needs to play their part; it doesn’t need to be a privilege.
“There’s going to be a low income housing unit there. I think the fact that they’re trying to appeal to everybody in different economic ranges is something we like,” said Shangraw.
Shangraw has always enjoyed the outdoors and been interested in environmental conservation but a big turning point was a speech he heard while in school for his graduate degree.
“Two people came to talk at Harvard. It was Senator Timothy Wirth and Al Gore who later became vice president. They gave a speech that really triggered that I needed to do things in my own life and work to help advance this whole concept of sustainable living,” said Shangraw.
Shangraw is excited for the move for several reasons. Moving to this community in particular gives him the opportunity to be “around people who are interested in sustainability.”
Many faculty members of the Office of Sustainability at the University of Michigan will also be moving into the community. “It will be exciting to build off of those relationships and do what I can to make a difference,” said Shangraw.
Despite the changes, Shangraw still plans on doing something. He has transferred his teaching license to Michigan. “I still plan on doing something. If it’s not teaching, I’m going to find another way, probably in the environment field, to make a difference,” said Shangraw.