Overall Rating Silver - expired
Overall Score 60.83
Liaison C Jane Hagen
Submission Date March 2, 2018
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.1

Virginia Commonwealth University
IN-25: Innovation B

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 1.00 / 1.00 Joseph Costa
Sustainability Projects and Program Coordinator
Sustainability
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Name or title of the innovative policy, practice, program, or outcome:
Academic collaboration between the VCU History Department and VCU Learning Garden for the course "Food will Win the War: Food Policy during World War II"

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:
In the summer of 2017, Professor Emilie Raymond from the VCU History Department and Sara Barton, Learning Garden Coordinator for the VCU Office of Sustainability worked together to integrate educational, hands-on garden activities into the curriculum for the course "Food will Win the War: Food Policy during World War II". During the 6-week course, the students planned and planted a victory garden bed in the VCU Learning Garden, and shared harvesting, weeding, watering, and other maintenance duties. Students indicated that they learned practical gardening knowledge and were inspired to try growing plants at home. The VCU Public Affairs department authored a story on the collaborative course, which appeared on the university's website landing page: https://vcu.exposure.co/seeds-of-war-and-peace. Following this positive press and positive student feedback, the History Department authorized the course to be offered in Spring 2018. The course enrollment threshold has been met, and a new cohort of VCU students is learning about the importance of Victory Gardens in the WWII era, while creating their own.

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

Optional Fields

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 programs or initiatives is available:
Additional documentation to support the submission:
Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
https://vcu.exposure.co/seeds-of-war-and-peace

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