Who We Are!
Nev and Tammy Slade are keen to “pass forward” the many blessings we have received.
Nev is a farm boy who grew up in the stunningly beautiful hills of Kwa-Zulu Natal, South Africa, during apartheid. A peaceful, exciting, youth where the injustices of apartheid (no vote, poor schooling, and unequal opportunities) were muted by the farm’s remoteness, and parents who prohibited discrimination with his Zulu playmates. This experience did however inspire a passion for social equity and a deep respect for the freedoms under the US Constitution.
Nev and Tammy met while “rescuing” friends from the “Moonie Cult” in San Francisco. The free spirited, kind, hospitable California Girl was helping others from the start- gorgeous to boot, poor old Nev didn’t have a chance.
After following Nev’s dream working with Thoroughbred horses in Lexington, Kentucky and studying Equine Reproductive Physiology at Colorado State, they moved back to California to pioneer embryo transfer and ultrasound in the horse industry.
Ultimately settling in the Mojave Desert where two “strapping lads” were born-Colin and Jono and then the best years of raising a family with an ever expanding family of friends and fellow “Desert Rats”. The boys both caught the local spirit of independence and perseverance and work as technology entrepreneurs.
Twenty years later the subtle beauty, character and openness of this diverse semi-desert has taken deep root.
Nev does have a real job as a Community College professor, teaching diverse classes from natural resource management to sustainable agriculture and equine science.
Seven years ago we decided to put our words into action and actually live green. We purchased 7.5 acres of land in the Mojave and began to build what we thought would be our dream “off the grid” home and lifestyle. Very soon we realized that we had bitten off “a big Chunk” and began to document the joys, challenges and heart ache we experienced and now offer sustainable living workshops and internships-basically sharing the pain!!
The Sustainable Learning Center Website is intended to tell our story; thank and encourage the many friends and family who have helped with our journey. We also envision it to be a hub for learning on the thinking and practices that we believe can help change society’s current self-destructive path.