| Overall Rating | Gold - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 70.79 |
| Liaison | Yumiko Jakobcic |
| Submission Date | March 1, 2019 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
Grand Valley State University
IN-24: Innovation A
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
1.00 / 1.00 |
Yumiko
Jakobcic Campus Sustainability Coordinator Office of Sustainability Practices |
Name or title of the innovative policy, practice, program, or outcome:
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:
GVSU's Sustainable Agriculture Project is unique in our interdisciplinary nature and aim to foster collaboration across university programs. Our innovative approach led to a national award by the American Association of State Colleges and Universities in 2018.
Our farm, similar to most universities, is located on the periphery of campus. Because we want to foster interdisciplinary work at the farm, we need to reach students who wouldn't typically make a special trip to a farm.
In pursuit of bringing this experience to the wider GVSU community, we founded a demonstration garden right in the center of campus. While our 5 acre farm demonstrates sustainable agriculture practices at a small commercial level, the scale can be intimidating for those who have not had growing experience. At first glance, it is hard to fathom implementing the multitude of techniques used on the farm, in a backyard setting. The 15’ x 15’ plot clearly shows the abundant harvest which can be reaped at an approachable scale. Hundreds, if not thousands, pass by this garden every day, planting seeds of possibility into the fertile minds of students. Mini-workshops hosted at the garden demonstrate homegrown abundance can be had for less than an hour per week of work.
Our demonstration garden will help raise awareness of our less visible farm, and will continue to serve as a testament improvements do not need to be massive in scale, to have a massive impact in the community.
Which of the following impact areas does the innovation most closely relate to? (select up to three):
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 :
Additional documentation to support the submission:
Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
The information presented here is self-reported. While AASHE staff review portions of all STARS reports and institutions are welcome to seek additional forms of review, the data in STARS reports are not verified by AASHE. If you believe any of this information is erroneous or inconsistent with credit criteria, please review the process for inquiring about the information reported by an institution or simply email your inquiry to stars@aashe.org.