| Overall Rating | Gold - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 66.59 |
| Liaison | Chris Bond |
| Submission Date | Oct. 30, 2014 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
Unity Environmental University
IN-4: Innovation 4
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
1.00 / 1.00 |
Steve
Kahl Director of Sustainability Sustainability |
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indicates that no data was submitted for this field
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Title or keywords related to the innovative policy, practice, program, or outcome:
Commercial greenhouse and Agricultural Research Station
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A brief description of the innovative policy, practice, program, or outcome:
Unity College was gifted the Half Moon Gardens greenhouse and farm complex in nearby Thorndike in 2013. The new College-wide resource is serving as a regional year-around agricultural research and outreach incubator in collaboration with partners, serving as a source of local foods for the college and current regional customers, providing produce or other products for retail sale, and as a resource for classes in sustainable agriculture business management.
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A brief description of any positive measurable outcomes associated with the innovation (if not reported above):
The greenhouse and research station complex is already resulted in a doubling of the number of majors in Sustainable Agriculture and will support both research and an increase in local food acquisition for campus dining that has a target of increasing to 80% in the college strategic plan. A pellet furnace installed in one greenhouse is the first of many non-fossil fuel retrofits that will make the complex more energy efficiency and more climate friendly.
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A letter of affirmation from an individual with relevant expertise:
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Which of the following STARS subcategories does the innovation most closely relate to? (Select all that apply up to a maximum of five):
| Yes or No | |
| Curriculum | Yes |
| Research | Yes |
| Campus Engagement | Yes |
| Public Engagement | --- |
| Air & Climate | --- |
| Buildings | --- |
| Dining Services | Yes |
| Energy | Yes |
| Grounds | --- |
| Purchasing | --- |
| Transportation | --- |
| Waste | --- |
| Water | --- |
| Coordination, Planning & Governance | --- |
| Diversity & Affordability | --- |
| Health, Wellbeing & Work | --- |
| Investment | --- |
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Other topic(s) that the innovation relates to that are not listed above:
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The website URL where information about the innovation is available:
Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
Unity College is located in the center of the local foods movement in Maine. The Half Moon Gardens and Agricultural Research Station initiative will serve the regional local foods economy, support research, and engage students in sustainable agriculture. The number of majors in sustainable agriculture doubled in one year in response to the acquisition of the complex. A pellet furnace installed in one greenhouse is the first of many non-fossil fuel retrofits that will make the complex more energy efficiency and more climate friendly.
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.