Overall Rating Silver - expired
Overall Score 54.89
Liaison Wendy Harness
Submission Date July 6, 2017
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.1

Delta College
IN-24: Innovation A

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 1.00 / 1.00 Linda Petee
Sustainability & Risk Management Coordinator
Facilities Management
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Name or title of the innovative policy, practice, program, or outcome:
Urban Farming

A brief description of the innovative policy, practice, program, or outcome that outlines how credit criteria are met and any positive measurable outcomes associated with the innovation:

As we sought a source for campus food waste, we realized the impetus for a new and unique learning series. Delta College was a natural fit for a start-up food hub whose mission was to build a local food system. Our shared vision was one that promotes healthy lifestyles through the education of growing locally, supports area small farmers, and nourishes our community, environment and economy. The Urban Farmer, a non-credit learning series, created an invitation to become part of the community-building movement to encourage a strong local food system. Developed on the premise of ‘If we build it, they will come’, we found success in only six months despite not having our own campus garden and our location among acres of traditional large agricultural operations. The program realized full-circle engagement as one local eatery transitioned to farm-to-table and as our students dedicated their spring break to learn new skills in an urban agriculture workshop to share among our communities.

Fall 2014 was dedicated to developing introductory course content that grew to include more advanced learning.
The program launched in Winter 2015 with five sessions. A Farm-to-Table field trip that integrated local eateries was added in Fall 2015. In Winter 2016, eight new classes and two additional instructors were added. A spin-off internship/volunteer project invited students to work on one of three local farms to earn Academic Career Experience, Independent Study, or Experiential Learning. From one year to the next, class size more than doubled. Surveys showed 100% overall satisfaction of the students.

Student EcoReps were largely involved in conducting outreach both on campus and in the community and organizing course materials.

News article:
http://www.mlive.com/news/bay-city/index.ssf/2015/03/bay_city_organic_food_co-op_be.html#incart_river

Program promotionals:



Which of the following impact areas does the innovation most closely relate to? (select up to three):
Curriculum
Public Engagement
Food & Dining

A letter of affirmation from an individual with relevant expertise or a press release or publication featuring the innovation :
The website URL where information about the innovation is available :
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Additional documentation to support the submission:
Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
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