Posts Tagged ‘School’

A Tale of Two Cities: Philadelphia’s Sustainability Workshop School and NYC’s John V. Lindsay Wildcat Charter School Go Head-to-Head in FreshDirect’s Green Angel Fund Challenge

Posted by admin on May 2nd, 2013

Mayor Michael A. Nutter and Mayor Michael Bloomberg Make Wager That Their City’s School Will Create Winning Hydroponic Garden

LONG ISLAND CITY, NY–(Marketwired – May 2, 2013) – Online grocer FreshDirect, announced today the inaugural launch of its Green Angel Fund Challenge, an urban agriculture focused competition between the Sustainability Workshop School in Philadelphia run by Simon Hauger, and the John V. Lindsay Wildcat Charter School in the Bronx run by Marc Donald with support provided by Stephen Ritz of the Green Bronx Machine.

The schools will each be guided by farmer mentors and compete to develop the nation’s most innovative hydroponic garden (based on yield and eco-friendly design), as part of a broader mission to solve inner-city food and farming issues — with the chance to win $ 10,000 along the way. The competition is being hosted and funded by FreshDirect, an online grocery retailer dedicated to changing the relationship people have with food, freshness and farmers. The Green Angel Fund was inspired by FreshDirect’s mission to continually drive environmental sustainability innovation. It is one of the first seed funds specifically focused on launching student-developed green ventures.

“We chose these schools based on their innovative curriculums and focus on solving “real world” problems in an urban setting, and both schools represent the two major cities in our operating area,” said David McInerney, FreshDirect’s Co-Founder. ”As a company committed to both urban dwellers and farmers, we feel it’s our responsibility to help ensure a sustainable and healthy supply chain of food — for all consumers. Since hydroponic gardens grow fresh, nutrient-dense food indoors and in cities with a minimal carbon footprint, we felt this was the perfect subject for this competition. We can’t wait to see the approach these students take to introduce sustainable farming methods that will ultimately lead to a healthier world.”

As a sign of support for this important venture, Philadelphia Mayor Michael A. Nutter and New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg have made a friendly wager saying they believe each of their respective city’s schools will win the challenge. Win or lose, both mayors will proclaim June 11 — the day the hydroponic gardens are revealed to the public for the first time — “Urban Farm Education Day” in Philadelphia and New York City. 

“In Philadelphia, we’ve set an ambitious goal to be the country’s greenest city. We are working to promote healthy eating and living,” said Mayor Michael Nutter. “We are thrilled to support a challenge that showcases how our youth can create greener practices and can get us thinking about how to eat and grow fresh, healthy foods.”

“This challenge is an opportunity for our students to learn about healthy foods, science and problem-solving,” said Mayor Bloomberg. “In New York City, we’ve launched agriculture programs in schools to teach students about where their food comes from, and have expanded urban agriculture programs through community and roof-top gardens. This program brings those lessons to our classrooms and I look forward to seeing our students’ proposals.”

Green Angel Fund Challenge Background
FreshDirect co-founder and food sourcing expert David McInerney travels the world forging relationships with hundreds of farmers, ranchers and fishermen, to source the best tasting, healthiest, freshest foods for consumers. During these journeys McInerney has become keenly aware that there is a fundamental flaw in our food system, which forces our farmers to grow food for transport rather than taste. Today fresh foods don’t taste like they should; people aren’t eating them, and processed foods are winning — and its crippling the future of our farmers.

What’s more, people in the United States eat 31 percent more unhealthy processed food than fresh food — that’s more per person than any country on earth. Nowhere are these issues more apparent than with our urban youth. Many urban youth live in “food deserts” where inexpensive, processed foods, linked to diseases such as diabetes and obesity, are the winning choices. For youth living in these “food deserts”, their brain development is at risk since processed foods, fats, sugars and other carbohydrates hinder their ability to stay healthy, energized and mentally sharp.

Recognizing the dual problem facing both farmers and urban youth, The Green Angel Fund Challenge asks students at the Sustainability Workshop and John V. Lindsay Wildcat Charter School to put their real-world problem-solving skills to the test in a competition to build the best hydroponic garden that not only produces the highest yield, but is also the most eco-friendly. Hydroponics is a method of organically growing plants using mineral nutrient solutions and water without soil or pesticides.

This challenge allows farmers and urban students to team up to develop solutions to these problems: developing models for sustainable urban agriculture. The teamwork is mutually beneficial: farmers help the students by imparting knowledge and expertise to them about best farming practices before they develop their models. Students benefit farmers by creating new models that will produce a yield and help to increase the demand for fresh foods in the inner city. 

“Each year, our students do incredible project work where they tackle sustainability issues with hands-on solutions. Now they are expanding their abilities, by addressing issues like food sustainability and creating access in food deserts,” said Simon Hauger, co-founder and teacher at the Sustainability workshop. ”We look forward to helping tackle the issues of farming and food access that will lead to a brighter and healthier future.”

Green Angel Fund Challenge Implementation
Phase I: Field Trips: Each school will team up with their local greenhouses in FreshDirect’s supply chain by first visiting the greenhouse and seeing their best farming practices first hand. A member of each greenhouse will serve as a mentor to the students throughout the duration of their project.

Phase II: Proposals: May 6 and May 7: FreshDirect executives will travel to both schools as they present their ideas and designs for the most innovative hydroponic gardens. The students will present their plans based on insights gleaned from their visits to the local greenhouse and on their own new research. After hearing both ideas, FreshDirect will present each school with $ 10,000 to help fund the cost of making their hydroponic gardens a reality. Both schools will be winners.

Phase III: Hydroponic Garden Reveal and Judging: June 11: Having spent weeks building the hydroponic gardens and documenting the journey with video and photographs, the schools will present their final products together on June 11. An expert panel of judges will announce the inaugural Green Angel Fund winner. The scoring will be based on yield/square foot, cost and sustainable design.

“When students come to Wildcat, they are requesting a ‘second chance’ to achieve academic success and through this project, we believe we are giving our farmers and our Bronx community a second chance to eat healthy fresh foods in a greener way,” said Marc Donald, Principal of Wildcat Academy. ”We can’t wait to show the world what our youth can really do!”

About FreshDirect
FreshDirect is a leading online grocer in the U.S., delivering premium quality fresh-from-the-farm foods and brand-name groceries to customers in the greater New York, New Jersey, Connecticut metro area and greater Philadelphia, Pennsylvania area. With a more than 2,500-member workforce that is still growing, FreshDirect places an emphasis on nutritious, delicious meals and convenient services that allow customers more time to live healthy lives. FreshDirect aspires to be a valued corporate partner in all communities in which it serves.
For more information, visit www.freshdirect.com. Follow FreshDirect on Twitter: @freshdirect and on Facebook: facebook.com/FreshDirect

Marketwire – Environment

Read More »

Bloomfield, New Jersey Elementary School Wins ‘Battle of the Buildings (NJ)

Posted by admin on April 24th, 2013

(New York, N.Y.) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency today announced that Demarest Elementary School in Bloomfield, New Jersey has won the 2012 EPA Energy Star National Building Competition, “Battle of the Buildings,” after reducing its energy use by a whopping 52%. Energy use in commercial buildings accounts for nearly 20 percent of total U.S. greenhouse gas emissions at a cost of more than $ 100 billion per year. At a ceremony at the school today, EPA Regional Administrator Judith A. Enck recognized the school’s principal, Mary Todaro, other school district officials, teachers and students for their achievement. The Battle of the Buildings competition features teams from across the country working to improve energy efficiency, lower utility costs and protect health and the environment. More than 3,000 buildings participated in the 2012 competition.

“The Demarest Elementary School and the Bloomfield School District found a way to improve the environment and save money at the same time,” said Regional Administrator Enck. “The school took simple steps to significantly reduce energy use. School districts and, in fact, facilities of any kind should look to Bloomfield as a model of what they can achieve. Our children have been well served by this wonderful achievement.”

Demarest Elementary School reduced its energy use through a combination of simple and inexpensive energy efficiency strategies:

    · The school identified and addressed a number of mechanical issues that had been overlooked for many years, including replacing a timer associated with the heating system, which allowed it to run on a more energy efficient schedule.

    · The head custodian aggressively adjusted boiler operation based on outside temperatures and changes in weather, and adjusted the hall lighting schedule so that lights were dimmed in the early morning and after students were dismissed.

    · The staff also took control of energy management in their immediate areas by turning off and unplugging electronic devices, such as vending machines, when they were not needed.


Demarest Elementary School won the competition by demonstrating the largest percent-reduction in energy use, adjusted for weather and the size of the building. Overall, the school saved nearly 4.6 million kBTUs (a thousand British thermal units) of energy last year and saved nearly $ 76,000.

In addition to the Demarest Elementary School, other buildings within the Bloomfield School District made impressive strides in cutting energy use during the 2012 competition. Bloomfield Middle School reduced its energy use by more than 34%, finishing in 10th place over all. Five other buildings— Fairview Elementary School, Watsessing Elementary School, Brookdale Elementary School, Oak View Elementary School and Forest Glens Alternative School— also finished within the top 50 energy-reducing buildings across the nation.

The 2012 Energy Star National Building Competition measured energy performance over the entire 2012 calendar year. Competitors tracked their building’s monthly energy consumption using the EPA’s online energy tracking tool, Energy Star Portfolio Manager. The energy reductions for each top finisher were verified by an independently licensed professional engineer or registered architect at the conclusion of the competition. Participants in this year’s competition saved a combined total of more than three billion kBTUs of energy and $ 50 million in utility costs. Competitors reduced annual greenhouse gas emissions equal to the electricity used by more than 43,000 homes.

Thousands of businesses and organizations work with EPA’s Energy Star program and are saving billions of dollars and preventing millions of tons of greenhouse gas emissions from entering the atmosphere each year.

More information on the 2012 Energy Star National Building Competition, including top overall finishers and top finishers by building category, an interactive map of competitors, and a wrap-up report: http://www.energystar.gov/BattleOfTheBuildings

Follow EPA Region 2 on Twitter at http://twitter.com/eparegion2 and visit our Facebook page, http://www.facebook.com/eparegion2

U.S. EPA News

Read More »

Craigmont High School in Memphis, Tenn. Named a Top Finisher in Energy Star National Building Competition (TN)

Posted by admin on April 24th, 2013

 

Release Date: 04/24/2013
Contact Information: Dawn Harris-Young, (404) 562-8421 (Direct), (404) 562-8400 (Main), [email protected]

ATLANTA – Craigmont High School in Memphis, Tenn. was recognized by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as a top finisher in the third-annual Energy Star National Building Competition. The school was recognized for reducing their energy use by over a 34 percent.

In its third year, the Energy Star National Building Competition featured teams from across the country to improve energy efficiency, lower utility costs, and protect public health and the environment. More than 3,000 schools, businesses, and government buildings across the country competed to see which could reduce its energy use the most in one year.

The 2012 national winner was the Demarest Elementary School in Bloomfield, N.J., which reduced its energy use by more than 52 percent and cut their utility bills by more than $ 75,800.

Together, competitors of this year’s National Building Competition cut their energy costs by more than $ 50 million, saved more than three billion kBtus of energy, and reduced annual greenhouse gas emissions equal to the amount of electricity used by more than 43,000 homes.

The 2012 Energy Star National Building Competition measured energy performance for the entire 2012 calendar year. Competitors tracked their building’s monthly energy consumption using EPA’s online energy tracking tool, Energy Star Portfolio Manager. The energy use reductions for each top finisher were verified by an independently licensed professional engineer or registered architect at the conclusion of the competition.

Energy use in commercial buildings accounts for nearly 20 percent of total U.S. greenhouse gas emissions at a cost of more than $ 100 billion per year. Thousands of businesses and organizations work with EPA’s Energy Star program and are saving billions of dollars, preventing millions of tons of greenhouse gas emissions from entering the atmosphere each year.

Products, homes, and buildings that earn the Energy Star label prevent greenhouse gas emissions by meeting strict energy efficiency requirements set by the U.S. EPA. In 2012 alone, Americans, with the help of Energy Star, saved $ 24 billion on their energy bills and prevented greenhouse gas emissions equal to those of 41 million vehicles. To date, more than 1.4 million new homes and 20,000 office buildings, schools and hospitals have earned the Energy Star label. Learn more: www.energystar.gov

More information on the 2012 Energy Star National Building Competition, including top overall finishers and top finishers by building category, an interactive map of competitors, and a wrap-up report: http://www.energystar.gov/BattleOfTheBuildings

Connect with EPA Region 4 on Facebook: www.facebook.com/eparegion4

And on Twitter: @USEPASoutheast

U.S. EPA News

Read More »

West Basin Funds Seventh Year of Surfrider “Teach and Test” High School Program

Posted by admin on April 2nd, 2013

REDONDO BEACH, Calif.–()–West Basin Municipal Water District (West Basin) President Carol W. Kwan
recently presented a $ 7,200 check to the Surfrider Foundation in support
of their “Teach and Test” program. West Basin has supported the program,
which allows high school students to volunteer to monitor water quality
in the Santa Monica Bay by collecting and processing water samples, for
seven years. This year’s student volunteers hail from El Segundo, Mira
Costa, Redondo Union, and South Torrance high schools.

“Without West Basin’s support, we would not be able to involve the
numerous high school students in these two important real world, local
science programs that address the quality of local ocean waters and the
characterization of trash flowing from local storm drain outlets onto
our beaches”

“Without West Basin’s support, we would not be able to involve the
numerous high school students in these two important real world, local
science programs that address the quality of local ocean waters and the
characterization of trash flowing from local storm drain outlets onto
our beaches,” said Alan Walti, Environmental Officer for the Surfrider
Foundation, South Bay Chapter.

During the program, students collect water samples bi-weekly from
October through May, and prepare and analyze water samples at the
Algalita Marine Research Institute and Loyola Marymount University
laboratories. At the end of the year, school teams are required to
conduct a final presentation that connects the project findings to other
environmentally sustainable efforts around the Santa Monica Bay. West
Basin’s water recycling efforts and the reduction of biosolids released
into the Santa Monica Bay through the recycled water treatment process
have been highlighted as a positive case study in previous years.

“Getting young people excited about water and science and how important
they are to our community is what this program is all about,” said West
Basin President Kwan. “Giving students a hands-on opportunity in the
field and at university laboratories teaches them how to protect their
local beaches and introduces them to future career opportunities,” she
noted.

After the check presentation, students, parents and program coordinators
toured West Basin’s Ocean-Water Desalination Demonstration Facility and
Water Education Center in Redondo Beach where they learned about
environmentally sustainable desalination and its potential as a future
water supply resource.

West Basin Municipal Water District is a wholesale water district
that serves nearly a million people in 17 cities and unincorporated
areas throughout its 185-square mile service area. West Basin is
reducing its dependence on imported water through its Water Reliability
2020 program that will double conservation, double recycled water
production and add desalted ocean water to its portfolio by the year
2020.

The Surfrider Foundation is a non-profit grassroots organization
dedicated to the protection and enjoyment of our world’s oceans, waves
and beaches. Founded in 1984 by a handful of visionary surfers in
Malibu, California, the Surfrider Foundation now maintains over 50,000
members and 90 chapters worldwide.

Business Wire Environment News

Read More »

Boulder Outdoor Survival School (BOSS) Celebrates 45 Years of…

Posted by admin on March 25th, 2013

Boulder, Utah (PRWEB) March 25, 2013

BOSS, the Boulder Outdoor Survival School, is celebrating its 45th Anniversary this year.

“All of us at BOSS are thrilled to celebrate this milestone,” says Josh Bernstein, BOSS president and CEO. “We are grateful to the thousands of alumni who have spent time with us on the trail, learning how to do more with less, and we look forward to many more years teaching adventurous souls how to travel lightly on the land.”

Founded in 1968 in the small town of Boulder, Utah, BOSS has built a reputation around the world for its immersive, hands-on courses that teach people how to do more with less. Courses are 4, 7, 10, 14, 21, and 28 days long and are divided into five categories: Skills, Field, Training, Explorer and Custom courses. BOSS is best known for its Field courses, where students spend up to one month hiking through Southern Utah’s wilderness with expert instructors and little more than a blanket, a poncho, a knife and the clothes on their backs.

“Given the challenges offered on some of our trips, we recognize that BOSS courses are not for everyone,” says Bernstein. “But for the right person, with the right perspective and attitude, the wilderness challenge and expert instruction BOSS offers can be a life-changing experience.”

Over the past four decades, new courses have been added based on interest, including Skills courses where students hike less but learn more. This May 12-18, for example, BOSS will host the 9th Annual Slickrock Gathering, where students learn from expert instructors the art of primitive pottery, blacksmithing, hidetanning, flintknapping or bowmaking.

Full information about courses, including dates and prices, can be found on the school’s website.



Environment

Read More »

EPA fines six Arizona school districts for asbestos violations / More than 15,000 students to be protected by additional inspections, asbestos plans (AZ)

Posted by admin on February 19th, 2013

 

Release Date: 02/19/2013
Contact Information: Rusty Harris-Bishop, [email protected], 415-972-3140

(2/19/2013) SAN FRANCISCO — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has fined six Arizona school districts a combined total of $ 94,575 for Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (AHERA) violations. More than 15,000 children attend the 25 schools not in compliance with the federal AHERA in these districts.

During inspections conducted in 2011, EPA inspectors discovered numerous violations, from failing to inspect facilities for asbestos containing materials, failing to re-inspect campuses with known asbestos containing materials, and failing to have an Asbestos Management Plan. All of the school districts have since taken necessary actions to comply with the law, with the cost of compliance reducing the penalties in most cases to zero.

“Asbestos in schools has the potential to harm the health of students, teachers, and maintenance workers,” said Jared Blumenfeld, EPA’s Regional Administrator for the Pacific Southwest. “EPA takes these violations seriously, and we are satisfied the schools have now conducted inspections and put their asbestos plans in place.”

Each school district is allowed to subtract properly documented costs of complying with the regulations from the penalty amount. The six school districts are:

    · Apache Junction Unified School District (Pinal County): fined $ 21,675, but this was reduced to $ 7,933 because of the school district’s cost of achieving compliance.
    · St. John’s Unified School District (Apache County): fined $ 14,195, reduced to $ 824 by the school district’s cost of achieving compliance.
    · Florence Unified School District (Pinal County): fined $ 31,705, but no cash payment was due because the documented costs of compliance exceeded the penalty.
    · Vernon Elementary School District (Apache County): fined $ 2,700, but no cash payment was due because the documented costs of compliance exceeded the penalty.
    · McNary Elementary School District (Fort Apache Indian Reservation): fined $ 14,200, but no cash payment was due because the documented costs of compliance exceeded the penalty.
    · Round Valley Unified School District (Apache County): fined $ 10,100, but no cash payment was due because the documented costs of compliance exceeded the penalty.


Federal law requires schools to conduct an initial inspection using accredited inspectors to determine if asbestos-containing building material is present and develop a management plan to address the asbestos materials found in the school buildings. Schools are also required to appoint a designated person who is trained to oversee asbestos activities and ensure compliance with federal regulations. Finally, schools must conduct periodic surveillance and re-inspections of asbestos-containing building material, properly train the maintenance and custodial staff, and maintain records in the management plan.

Local education agencies must keep an updated copy of the management plan in its administrative office and at the school which must be made available for inspection by parents, teachers, and the general public.

For more information about federal asbestos regulations visit: http://www.epa.gov/asbestos/lawsregs.html

###


U.S. EPA News

Read More »

Texans Taking the LEED in Intelligent School Construction Diversified…

Posted by admin on February 11th, 2013

El Paso, TX (PRWEB) February 11, 2013

Green school construction innovations are earning high marks in one of Texas fastest growing school districts. The Socorro Independent School District or SISD is a school district located in El Paso, Texas. SISD’s East Lake High School features beautiful and energy efficient exterior wall panels engineered and installed by Diversified Interiors and manufactured by Steelform Building Products from recycled, LEED certified steel profiles. The school is being touted for its safety and efficiency. These unique panels are part of the reason.

What is LEED? “LEED stands for (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design),” says Mel Mingle, PE. “It is an ecology-oriented building certification program run under the auspices of the U.S. Green Building Association. “The LEED Green Building Rating System is an independent certification program that provides voluntary guidelines for developing high-performance, sustainable buildings. Our panels being stronger, quieter, and more energy efficient than traditional construction materials provides significant LEED benefits. Plus, being esthetically pleasing is a big bonus for architects and building owners, too.”

Smarter, greener school construction is trending up in Texas. “During the past two years, energy, safety, and durability focused school systems in Texas have liked the end product and benefits they saw on the our Ft. Bliss construction and wanted their new construction and expansions to meet that same stringent criteria,” states Ed Anderson, DI of El Paso. Innovative architects for regional school districts have embraced the LEED challenge and the concept to meet their client’s requirements.

“It’s an honor to have been recognized and selected for best meeting client’s stringent requirements by visionary firms like Mijares-Mora Architects and Banes General Contractors,” states, Blake Anderson of Diversified Interiors El Paso.

How did they make the grade? “Excellence is why the Steelform light-gauge steel composite products and Diversified Interiors were selected for 150-thousand square foot Ninth Grade School and the 180-thousand square foot East Lake High School, with 100-thousand more square feet coming this year. The Socorro School District is known for innovative instruction in state-of-the art facilities,” adds Anderson.

“The Diversified Interiors (DI) team has proven themselves to be up to today’s major construction challenge of combining erection speed, LEED and durability. DI is a regional leader in LEED construction. On the East Lake High School project, they installed over 100-thousand square feet in a three month period and that is an accomplishment unheard of in conventional construction. Their client commended them on speed, low-waste, durability, and sustainability of the walls,” notes Rick Godwin, principal, Seelform USA.

About Steelform

Steelform USA, Steel Building Products is one of America’s leading steel manufacturing, steel building material distribution and steel construction solutions companies.

For more than 50 years, Steelform USA and its Building Products have been trusted partners in the steel construction industry delivering on-time, on-budget, as promised, to companies around-the-corner and around the globe. Steelform USA corporate offices are co-located in Austin, Texas and Atlanta, Georgia. Company principals are Mel Mingle and Rick Godwin.



Environment

Read More »

H&H Environmental Construction and Consulting Announces School…

Posted by admin on January 29th, 2013

Saugerties, NY (PRWEB) January 29, 2013

President and CEO of H & H Environmental Construction and Consulting Inc., Kevin Hinchey, has announced a multi-state school mold removal program. The company is working to raise awareness on the continuous issue of mold presence and unsafe air quality throughout educational settings. H&H Environmental is the leading service provider of mold remediation throughout the East Coast.

There has been an increase in the public’s awareness that mold and other indoor air contaminants cause illness. On the forefront is the issue of environmental contaminants in schools. Moisture problems caused by water leaks and poor maintenance, as well as the misuse of pesticides and cleaning products, are the most common causes for mold growth.

Inadequate building design, construction and materials can also cause undetected mold growth. Schools that have had roof leaks or any other type of water intrusion can put faculty and students at risk of mold-related illness. Due to limited budgets, structural problems are often ignored or patched over.

In certain circumstances, if the mold is unobtrusive and not remediated, it can produce mycotoxins. Inhalation of these mycotoxins can cause a variety of adverse side effects, including mucous membrane irritation, skin rashes, nausea, immune system suppression, acute or chronic liver damage, acute or chronic central nervous damage, endocrine effects and cancer. Aside from the health hazards that are linked to school mold exposure, inadequate air quality can reduce a student’s ability to learn and decrease scholastic performance.

Due to this serious matter, Hinchey believes that air quality testing should be made mandatory in educational environments. Independent consultants, that do not have a direct connection with the district, should be used as a third-party consultant to complete the school mold testing.

“Keeping the faculty members and the kids safe is our priority and we will stop at nothing to fulfill that goal,” says Hinchey.

Environmentally safe products, including Anabec Advanced Cleaning Solution and Anabec X-70 Plus Antimicrobial, have been approved by the State Education Department as well as the General Services Environmental Unit for use in a school setting.

Hinchey adds, “As a contractor, and someone who has school-aged children, I know the importance more than ever of safeguarding our kids from mold threats. I remain committed to working with school districts on this important issue.”

About H&H Environmental Construction and Consulting

H&H Environmental Construction and Consulting provides indoor air testing and school mold removal services in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, and Massachusetts. For more information, visit http://www.hhenvironmental.com



Environment

Read More »

Going to College or Career School? Submit the FAFSA to Get Financial Aid

Posted by admin on January 24th, 2013


©2010 fafsa.gov. All rights reserved.


Federal Student Aid Logo, FAFSA, and FAFSA4caster


are trademarks of the U.S. Department of Education.

USA.gov Updates: News and Features

Read More »

Natural Food Industry Thought-Leaders Go Back to School to Study Sustainable Agriculture

Posted by admin on January 23rd, 2013

ALAMEDA, Calif.–()–The world’s human population is growing while its resource base
declines. This sobering statement drew food industry leaders to gather
last week for the Niman
Ranch Sustainable Agriculture Short Course education program at
Colorado State University in Fort Collins, Colo. This is the fourth in a
series of educational programs hosted by the thought-leader to explore
sustainable agriculture and solutions.

“Sustainability, especially in relationship to farming and agriculture,
is a complicated issue that needs to be looked at in a holistic way
which encompasses every aspect of our food system, quite literally, from
the ground up”

The goal of this intensive two day program was to engage industry
trailblazers to think about sustainable agriculture and to gain a better
understanding of the practices which impact the land, water, air, animal
welfare and farmer economics. Attendees left with a deeper knowledge of
sustainability and began formulating how their businesses can take steps
to improve the land, animal welfare and producer profitability for the
future.

“Sustainability is about more than just the environment,” stated Jeff
Tripician, Niman Ranch chief marketing officer and EVP. “It must
encompass not only how we treat the environment but also the treatment
of livestock and the farmers who raise the livestock and manage the
land. Our goal is to understand how each of these issues interact and
impact our business so we can balance the needs we have today with the
needs of future generations.”

The Niman Ranch Sustainable Agriculture Short Course was originally
designed as a continuing education for Niman Ranch employees. But after
interest from its customers and industry partners, the program expanded
to include industry leaders from Chipotle Mexican Grill, Whole Foods
Market, Sprouts, Shake Shack, Burgermeister, Edible Communities
Publications, Chefs Collaborative and numerous other retailers and chefs.

“Sustainability, especially in relationship to farming and agriculture,
is a complicated issue that needs to be looked at in a holistic way
which encompasses every aspect of our food system, quite literally, from
the ground up,” stated Tracey Ryder, CEO Edible
Communities Publications. “Niman Ranch is one of those rare
companies which goes beyond talking the talk. They are courageous in its
efforts to dig deeply into issues and to examine them from all angles.
This short course was a perfect example of showing the lengths it is
willing to go to ensure a more stable and resilient future for each
stakeholder along the food chain.”

The masters level curriculum was developed by Dr. Kraig Peel, director
of the CSU
Western Center for Integrated Resource Management, in an effort to
introduce the impacts of agriculture on sustainability by addressing
topics ranging from ecosystem function, soil health, water cycle and
livestock raising practices to economic impacts and strategies.

“Our goal was to develop a comprehensive program to look at agricultural
sustainability beginning with the land and concluding with the
production of a high quality protein product,” stated Dr. Peel. “We
studied the soil, ecosystems and animal production systems, all of which
impact sustainability. We concluded the program by looking closely at
economic sustainability.”

The intensive two day course included lectures by Dr. Robert Woodmansee,
Dr. Jason Bruemmer, Dr. Kraig Peel and Dr. Jay Parsons; and hands on
instruction in the soil labs and CSU Agricultural Research, Development
and Educational Center. In preparation for the event, each attendee read Resilience
Thinking: Sustaining Ecosystems and People in a Changing World;
Brian Walker and David Salt, and numerous handouts. The conclusion of
the program included the use of the Risk Navigator simulator. The
program allows the user to make simulated production decisions and to
see the impacts of those decisions very quickly on the ecosystem,
animals and ultimately the bottom line.

The short course is part of Niman Ranch’s ongoing effort to understand
the complexity of sustainable
agriculture, its current practices and the practices it should
implement for the future. Over the past 18 months, the company has
hosted three other programs:

  • August 2011: Sustainability Panel of nine industry experts moderated
    by Dr. Fred Kirshenmann, Distinguished Fellow at the Leopold
    Center for Sustainable Agriculture    .
  • April 2012: Environmental Impact of Grain-Fed versus Grass-Fed Beef
    presentation at Boise State University by Dr. Judith L. Capper.
  • September 2012: Presentations by Dr. Kraig Peel, Director of the CSU
    Western Center for Integrated Resource Management    , on traditional
    livestock production and Jon Scholl, Executive Director American
    Farmland Trust, on the disappearing farmland.

Niman Ranch will host its fifth program in conjunction with the 15th
Annual Hog Farmer Appreciation Dinner in Des Moines, Iowa, August 2013.

About Niman Ranch

Niman Ranch is a network of more than 720 sustainable U.S. family
farmers and ranchers who raise livestock traditionally, humanely and
sustainably to deliver the finest-tasting proteins. Niman Ranch’s
independent family farmers practice the highest standards of animal
husbandry and environmental stewardship. Niman Ranch’s fresh, smoked and
prepared meats are available at fine restaurants and select grocery
stores nationwide.

Business Wire Environment News

Read More »
« Older Entries