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Jack Albrittain , Cater Corley, Becca Garman, Mahlon Henderson, Christiane Repenning. The Duke Endowment . James B. Duke Duke, Davidson, Furman, Johnson C. Smith Sustainability projects totaling $ 3.85 million
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Jack Albrittain, Cater Corley, Becca Garman, Mahlon Henderson, Christiane Repenning
The Duke Endowment • James B. Duke • Duke, Davidson, Furman, Johnson C. Smith • Sustainability projects totaling $3.85 million • Watering system for row crops, walk-in cooler to keep produce fresh, passive solar greenhouse, tools and fencing
Theresa Allen Over 3400 pounds of produce in 2013 • 8% fruit • 21% leaf greens • 28% starch veggies • 32% tomatoes and cucumbers • 11% other
Where Does It Go? • 60% Vail Commons • 36% Much Ado • 4% Davis Café • 0% outside of Davidson College
Problems • Infertile soil • Deer, rabbits • Perennial weeds • Insects • US Foods prices
Solutions? • Composting • Electric fence • Peanut butter • Pesticides (just kidding!) • Crop rotation
The Basics of Composting Process that involves biological decomposition of organic matter under controlled, aerobic conditions Produces stable, humus-like product, which could be used as a sustainable fertilizer Five different types of composting
Vermicomposting • Assortment of worms, usually red wigglers, are placed in bin with organic material (Egg shells, paper scraps, leftover food) • Requires few materials and produces high-quality compost called “casting” • Worm tea, an excellent liquid fertilizer for houseplants and gardens, is also produced in the process
Composting as a Social Movement • Sustainable and empowering • Reasons to compost: • Produces sustainable fertilizer as an alternative to synthetic/chemical fertilizers • Products breakdown into nutrients for the soil • Reduces trash costs
Implications in Sustainability • Taking advantage of a natural process • “Worms are the guts of the earth” • Reducing waste • Best for soil health in the long term • Increases in farm productivity • The three E’s of sustainability
Modeled in Davidson Farm • Food waste and farm waste • Vermicomposting as a solution • Turning trash into treasure • Theresa’s farm is completely organic • To produce she needs healthy soil • Vermicomposting bridges the gap between our waste, the farms bi products and the food we eat Food production Food and Farm wastes Healthy Soil Worm castings Vermicomposter biodegradation
Environmental Education • Increase public awareness and knowledge on environmental issues • Encourage critical thinking • Shouldn’t advocate one particular opinion • Interdisciplinary approach