| Overall Rating | Gold - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 66.58 |
| Liaison | Brad Spanbauer |
| Submission Date | Sept. 12, 2016 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh
IN-2: Innovation 2
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
1.00 / 1.00 |
Brian
Kermath Sustainability Director Sustainability Office |
Title or keywords related to the innovative policy, practice, program, or outcome:
A brief description of the innovative policy, practice, program, or outcome:
A vertical gardening system has been installed inside of the banquet style dining hall on campus. The gardens are an easy way to grow fruits and vegetables right in the same building that it will be consumed in. Liquid plant nutrients are pumped through the tower and over the plant roots for rapid growth. This allows for fresh, local greens all year round. A student internship has been created just for the purpose of maintaining, and harvesting these tower gardens.
The initial outlay for the complete system was $3,015
A brief description of any positive measurable outcomes associated with the innovation (if not reported above):
The program goals were to provide a means of growing produce that could be used in the All You Care To Eat dining operation on the UW Oshkosh campus.
•Our incoming Freshmen are not on board with sustainability and this would put something sustainable right in front of them where they could not miss it
•Fresh greens being grown right next to the salad bar where they would be offered fit both locally grown as well as being better than organic, as no soil is used in growing the plants.
•It was to provide opportunity for student involvement up to and including an internship for the student in charge of the Tower Gardens, from planting, cleaning, maintaining chemical balances in the water, and harvesting the lettuces routinely.
•The Tower Gardens would provide growing plants and bright lights during a time of year when daylight on campus is minimal. My hope is that they will help students feel a bit more cheerful during the dark months.
•The program is capable of expansion based on student input, participation, and funding.
•Provide a program with minimal environmental impact
• No shipping,
• minimal water use versus conventionally grown product
A letter of affirmation from an individual with relevant expertise:
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 | No |
| Research | No |
| Campus Engagement | No |
| Public Engagement | No |
| Air & Climate | Yes |
| Buildings | No |
| Dining Services | Yes |
| Energy | No |
| Grounds | No |
| Purchasing | Yes |
| Transportation | No |
| Waste | No |
| Water | No |
| Coordination, Planning & Governance | No |
| Diversity & Affordability | No |
| Health, Wellbeing & Work | Yes |
| Investment | No |
Other topic(s) that the innovation relates to that are not listed above:
The website URL where information about the innovation is available:
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.