Research has found that the specific social choices much of the world is making, primarily led by the U.S., is leading to an unhealthy planet. Overconsumption has lead to environmental degradation.
Mistreatment of the environment appears to have given way to climate change. Things are serious. Issues are apparent.
The answer to these problems for the owners of Cougar Mountain Farm is simple: reggae. From the July 23 to 25, the Tayberry Jam: Reggae on the Mountain festival features prominent local, national and international reggae artists, while providing a platform to educate anyone willing to listen to the ideals of sustainable living.
The festival works hard to go beyond the simple idea of reduce, reuse and recycle by challenging everyone to use without waste.
“It’s a three-day farm benefit,” said Noah Wemple, co-owner of the farm with his wife, Anna. “It’s to help our farm develop off-the-grid farm forest research — an educational resort for sustainable living.”
The idea of sustainability permeates the festival. All energy needs are met with solar panels, while environmentally friendly camping is strongly encouraged. From the stage to the food, Eugene’s historic counterculture is noticeable.
The festival isn’t a place to lecture attendees, but rather an opportunity to celebrate the earth and encourage people to respect it.
“We’re actively trying to teach the permaculture movement,” Wemple said. “It’s essentially the sustainable we’d like to provide as a model to everyone else.”
The three-day event features speakers, workshops and other educational ventures to help festival attendees understand sustainable living — featuring everything from growing vegetables and fruit at home to conserving energy.
The main draw to the festival, though, is the variety of reggae artists.
“We try to mix in this idea of sustainability with celebration,” Wemple said. “We’re hosting a great array of artists this year.”
After putting a call out to many notable reggae musicians, the Wemples received almost instant interest in performing in the festival and helping out the cause.
“A lot of musicians, especially the local ones, have gotten behind the cause,” Wemple said as he discussed some of the acts. “We’ve got a tremendous amount of interest within the community.”
The festival is packed with 35 bands playing over the three days.
Cougar Mountain Farm Friday’s acts headline with Medium Troy and Marv Ellis with the Platform. Saturday features Pablo Moses and Queen Omega, while Sunday focuses more on sustainable teaching, featuring Thomas Mapfumo with Black Unlimited and Loveness, and Kudana.
Much like the central tenets of last weekend’s Oregon Country Fair, the festival believes in the harmony of love of music for the love of the earth.
If people attending the festival take one thing away, it’s to celebrate the earth with respect.
“We need more people who are constantly active with sustainability,” Wemple said.
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