Luther College
EN-5: Outreach Campaign

Luther has been holding a month-long campus energy competition since February of 2007 to raise energy awareness and conservation. The Sustainability Office and student Sustainability Educators/Reps collaborate to design and implement the program. Luther is part of the national CCN competition and uses Lucid's Building Dashboard to track and share energy information. In 2014 the energy competition consisted of two parts - 1) competition between all residence halls to reduce electricity and 2) competition between first year halls to see which hall could energy audit the highest percentage of student rooms. A $250 cash prize is available to the residence hall that wins each part of the competition.

Individual residence halls all significantly reduce their energy usage during the competition. For example, one year Farwell Hall had a reduction of 123.63 watt-hours per person per day, and Baker village had a water reduction of 1.1 gallons per person per day. Also, the concept of a phantom load is consistently driven home during the competition. Students who learn about it remain very conscious of unplugging their chargers when not in use.

Recognizing the importance of vegetable consumption as part of a healthy diet, Wellness, Sustainability and the Health Care Council are offering up to 150 Luther College faculty and staff households a 50% reimbursement (up to $100) on vegetable CSA shares in 2014. This program was piloted in 2012, at which point 37 households participated. In 2013 participated sky-rocketed to 97 total households. Faculty and staff can choose from a variety of CSA options offered in the local area, including winter CSA shares and "garden memberships" in which subscribers receive garden services and plants to support vegetable gardening. All participants are required to participate in two food education events in order to qualify for reimbursement. Food education events include cooking classes, farm tours, work days, book discussions and more.

By virtue of this program, 74% of participants claimed to have eaten more fruits and vegetables. Just under 50% of participants were first-time subscribers in 2013. From 2012 to 2013 the program saw a 97.5% retention rate. This program not only has an impact on faculty and staff, but also on local farmers who have been able to develop or expand CSA offerings to meet increased demand coming from Luther employees.