In a time when society is trying to repair technological damage to the earth, local environmental group members are exploring a back-to-nature lifestyle. Their inspiration -- an 85-year-old woman who has devoted most of her life resisting conformity.

During a speech earlier this week to the Regional Ecological Agriculture for Pennsylvania organization, Helen Nearing challenged members "to be different.

"In the country today, we wear short skirts if short skirts are in and long skirts if long skirts are in," Nearing said, describing American society's passive attitudes.

Nearing, co-author of books such as Living the Good Life and The Maple Sugar Book, was the guest speaker at the REAP's monthly meeting Monday in Schlow Memorial Library, 100 E. Beaver Ave.

Nearing was born and grew up in a small town in New Jersey. Her family lived a simple lifestyle, eating vegetables from the back garden, bread from the hearth in the kitchen, and drinking, milk from the cows grazing in the field beside the house.

She met her husband, Scott, who also lived what she called a "country fare" life, in her home town. They lived in several northeastern towns where Scott Nearing taught political science to university students. He was barred from several schools including the University of Pennsylvania for his radical ideas on child labor laws and his anti-capitalistic views, Helen Nearing said.

In 1932, the Nearings settled in Vermont, establishing a self-sufficient life of living off the land.

The couple then developed a philosophy of living in which one can care for one's self without dependence on others.

After 20 years in Vermont, the Nearings moved to Maine to escape the ski industry. While the couple used to produce most of their needs themselves, Helen Nearing today continues to support herself seven years after her husband died at around age 100.

Nearing attributes wise land use and hard work to the success of her organic, chemical free gardens where she grows her own food to support her vegetarian diet.

Following this philosophy, members of REAP are working together to try to promote a food system similar to the Nearing's -- free of chemical fertilizers and pesticides, said Len Seibert a member of the environmental group.

"We are a diverse group from professors to farmers ... all with an interest in healthy food," said Kim Knorr, a group member.

REAP, which formed in June 1989, is holding monthly meetings to talk about natural lifestyles.

REAP members believe that the public has the right to know how the food they eat was grown, handled and stored from "seed to supermarket," Seibert said.

Nearing said she is staying with the Seibert's to work on her latest book, adding that her Maine home is too crowded to work.

Nearing admits her type of lifestyle may not appeal to all.

"The good life is not for everyone, she said.

While everyone may not be able to live a natural self-sufficient life, Nearing still believes that is not an excuse for haphazard land use.

She said people should replenish the land through foresting and recycling to preserve the environment.