Stacey Anderson and Lauren Cardella
Two New College Students kicking off their contributions:
From Stacey Anderson -
Working on an organic farm really opened my eyes to all the different aspects of life that are greatly affected by agriculture. It is so easy to forget that so much life is involved in the process of growing our food, because we never see it in the grocery store. From the tiniest microorganisms living in the soil to the farmers who plant the seed and harvest the fruit, to the people who depend on healthy soils and healthy farmers for healthy food, it is impossible to quantify how much of the life on this planet is affected by agriculture.
It was this epiphany that led me to the beginnings of my crusade for healthy farms and healthy food. Our health depends so much on the nutrients from our food, but the soil from which our food is grown is so depleted that it is imperative that we find a better way!
So, to begin our journey toward a better way, Lauren and I worked together on an idea to assess the feasibility of purchasing produce from local growers through our campus dining services. After talking with Laura Morton from RC&D and learning about existing programs at other schools, we wrote a research paper that addressed the problems with the current global food system and suggested what we think to be viable alternatives. We want to support what family farmers we have left in our community, and let them know about the advantages of sustainable agriculture. Although still in its infancy, this project ahs generated a lot of support from the New College community as well as the greater Sarasota community!
We have a small local foods group forming on campus, and plans are being made for community local foods events on campus.
From Lauren Cardella -
I suppose my interest in sustainability started last year when I took Sustainable Development with Professor Frank Alcock, who actually ended up sponsoring our ISP. The main textbook for the class, State of the World 2004, published by the Worldwatch Institute, is actually one of my favorite books. My interest in agriculture started earlier this school year when I discovered Jessica's Farm out in Lockwood Ridge. I've always been a huge fan of food, so when I sampled the fresh and organic (and reasonably priced) produce I was immediately converted. Since then I have rarely purchased produce at the grocery store. Last semester I also participated in the organic gardening tutorial, helping to restore the vegetable garden on campus.
When ISP started to creep up, I noticed and immediately responded to an email Stacey sent out about sustainable food systems in Sarasota. We liked the idea of starting at home, our very own food service, and pitched an idea to our sponsor. Over the month of January I also started volunteering on the Worden Farm in Punta Gorda twice a week and enjoyed every minute of it. Eva and Chris have a beautiful, environmentally-friendly farm that produces some of the tastiest vegetables I have ever eaten. After a lot of research, work, and collaboration, Stacey and I turned in a 22-page report that, to our relief, has been well received by our advisor and even some of our peers. I, for one, am really excited to be working on this project. I hope that before my time at New College is up I will have the opportunity to extend our efforts into the greater Sarasota community, especially local elementary schools and underpriveleged neighborhoods.
Editor's Note:Â Photo is of Stacey (left) and Lauren (right) at Sarasota's market - they are poised to build on our efforts!
