Michael Lauher is the creative force behind SS but isn't alone and couldn't work his magic without massive support from his wife Brandi and two daughters Skyler and Sundari. Michael grew up in a military family living around the world. He graduating at Ram Stein American High School in central Germany. Upon returning to the states in 1995 Michael set out to see the U.S. behind the wheel of a 78 Volkswagen van with his best friend from Childhood. After many miles and good stories to tell, he settled in Taos New Mexico. Michael & Brandi purchased one acre of land, off the grid and built a passive solar straw bale house. It was here that they started their family and raised their first child. They learned all they could about natural parenting and living sustainably off the land. Michael dove into the world of sustainable building techniques that included straw bale, light clay, cob, rammed earth, and adobe. He built his first home, a 600 hundred square foot super insulated cozy home in the beautiful high desert of Taos. Next came energy and food, so figuring out 12 volt power, a greenhouse, and water catchment was the first priority. Once completed and well lived in Michael was feeling eager to share his passion of living more sustainably with the rest of the world! In 2002 he rented his home and moved to the Bay Area with plans of reaching the masses. They found what they were looking for and settled in Napa, California as caretakers on a 12 acre farm. The farm and garden based environmental education center served all ages of school children through hands on science based field trips and projects incorparating the concepts of sustainable farming. Michael was first hired on by the City of Napa to develop youth programs,including summer camps and after school classes. He later was brought on full time by The Napa Land Trust of Napa Valley as an Education Director. Over the course of the next 12 years Michael managed the property's organic gardens, oversaw the livestock operations, coordinated restoration projects on 10 acres of oak woodlands, and inspired over 30,000 school aged children to connect with nature and lead them in learning a more sustainable way of living. As a community member in Napa, Michael also served as a committee member and chair with the Environmental Education Coalition of Napa County and the Napa County Farm Bureaus, Ag in the Classroom. He is also a proud partner and co creator of a dynamic kids farming and cooking program Dirt to Dine. If there's enough time left in the day or at the end of the week you can find Michael on his bike around town, cooking, fishing, working bees, camping with his family in their Volkswagen Westfalia or traveling the world in search of good people and warm beaches.
