My independent study most clearly relates to the topic of sustainability. I wanted to know how “sustainable” local can get. When we toss around the word Local, we could mean 80 miles away; we could mean the other side of the state. What would it mean to source locally on a micro-scale; what would it mean to cultivate products from the home, or just right outside? This idea is not so new. In 1977, Wendell Berry warned that Americans were loosing ownership over the process of  […]

Friday, June 7th Big questions: What is the definition of sustainability? What does a sustainable food system look like? How do we sustainably interact with our food? Sites visits: Bernheim Forest & Arboretum, University of Louisville Guest Speaker: Claude Stephens, Brian Barnes Reading: Chapters 1-4 of Rebuilding the FoodShed (RFS)- How to Create Local, Sustainable, and Secure Food Systems by Philip Ackerman-Leist

Key Terms and Topics: Sustainable Agriculture, closed-loop systems, composting Discussion themes: VT Food Systems: Circle Model; Soils, Seeds & Transplants; Transportation Processing & Storage; Distribution, Retail, Table; Composting (and back to soil…) Reading/Viewing: Rebuilding the Foodshed (RFS) by Philip Ackerman-Leist, Chapters 1-4 http://www.wcax.com/story/22251750/the-slow-living-summit http://smallplanet.org/about/frances/bio Fifth Day Event: Thursday, 6/6: Brattleboro: EDT 6am, Slow Living Summit, Frances Moore Lape’ Grafton Cheddar Tour; (Big Picture Farm Tour?) (Carbon Harvest?) FW Talk: Sunday 6/2 3pm Professor Elder Location: RAJ Conference Followed by 4:30-6 pm Garden party  

Monday, June 10th Big questions: What is the true ecological impact of modern agriculture? How do we feed 9 billion people in 2050 and still respect local ecosystems? What does an agricultural system that respects nature look like? How can we harness biomimicry to promote sustainable agriculture? Site visit: Canoeing on the Ohio River Guest speakers: David Wicks and Russ Barnett Reading: RFS Chapters – 5 & 8   FW Talk 7-8pm– with Justin Mog

Key Terms and Topics: Exploration of sustainable agriculture, biodiversity Discussion themes: Farming & garden models; community-based agriculture; climate change; importance of sustainability Reading/Viewing:  RFS Ch. 5 & 8 Fifth Day: Wednesday, 6/12, Addison County, 9:30 am Elmer Farm; Monument & Scholten Farm. ACORN talk FW Talk: 7:00-8:00 pm Monday, 6/10: Ecology with Justin Mog Location:   

Friday, June 21 FW Talk 10-11 am with Ivor Chodkowski and Monty Fischer Big questions: What are the obstacles in creating a local food economy? Where has there been success and why has it occurred there? How does a local food economy benefit and harm members of the community? Afternoon observations at various sites: Grasshoppers, The Root Cellar, Nord’s Bakery, Rainbow Blossom, Blue Dog Bakery Reading: RFS Chapters 9 & 10. Opt: Ben Hewitt, The Town that food saved: http://benhewitt.net/

Key Terms and Topics: Farm-to-plate; local to national to global, Market values, public food philosophy Discussion themes: Local food system, New Economy, Marketing; local dollars; labeling; economic development & innovation; expansion and efficiency Reading/Viewing: RFS Ch. 9 & 10. Optional: Ben Hewitt, The Town that food saved: http://benhewitt.net/ Fifth Day: Friday, 6/21, Hardwick Overnight? VT Soy, Jasper Hill biodigester, VT Food Venture Center, lunch @ Claire’s; Salvation Farms? FW Talk: 10-11 am Friday, 6/21: Local Economy. Ivor Chodhowski, Owner Field Day Family Farm, Harvest Restaurant; Grasshoppers Distribution in Louisville. Location: RAJ Conference Room

Thursday, June 27th * Note: Deadline for submission of Individual Directed Investigation Big questions: Should we trust our food? What happens when trust fails? Is our food safe for use to consume? If we are what we eat, what are we? Site visits: Louisville Metro Hall, hog processing plant, Clifton Community Garden Guest Speaker: Mayor Greg Fischer, Health Professional TBA Reading: Watch:  Marion Nestle piece: http://www.centerforfoodsafety.org/ Local Reading (optional): Consider the Lobster- David Foster Wallace Watch:  http://www.whas11.com/news/iteam/Invesitgation-reveals-food-safety-concerns-police-working-to-crack-down-175849511.html http://www.fw.ky.gov/fishadvisory.asp    

Key Terms and Topics: Food Safety, Regulations, GMOs, Plastics, Pesticides… Discussion themes: Local and sustainable meat production; processing, diets, and cultural biases Reading/Viewing: Marion Nestle piece, http://www.centerforfoodsafety.org/ Fifth Day: Thursday, 6/27: Burlington area: UVM-The Necessary (r)Evolution for Sustainable Food Systems Summit 6pm SummerVale at the Intervale FW Talk: Monday June 24th: Food Safety. Dinner/Discussion w/ Professor Kacy McKinney 7pm Weybridge  

Tuesday, July 2 Big questions: What does it mean to be “food secure”? In a world of global interdependence, how can our food security be threatened? How do we create a more resilient food system? How can we encourage the creation of food secure households? Site visits: Dare to Care Food Bank, New Roots Guest Speaker: Stan Siegwald, Karyn Moskowitz Reading: RFS Chapter 6 Local Reading (required): The State of Food: A Snapshot of Food Access in Louisville FW Talk – 2-4 pm with Chuck Ross  […]