Lafayette Organic Gardening

Here is a rough timeline of the events and progress of the project.

July-August 2008: Dave Brandes and Jenn worked on and submitted a grant proposal called the Clinton Global Initiative Outstanding Commitment Award.  This grant proposal was written as to start a large garden at Metzgar Fields.

August- early September 2008: Derek Smith and Jenn worked created a proposal to start a community garden on 3rd Street in downtown Easton.

September 17, 2008: Jenn and Dave learned they had received the Clinton Foundation grant!!   With hearing this news, the focus of the garden project shifted from the 3rd Street location to Metzgar Fields for now.

September 2008-April 2009: Dave Brandes, Andy Smith, Derek Smith, John Wilson, and Jenn worked closely with administrators and staff of the College in order to make the garden a reality with lots of meetings and planning.

February 13-15, 2009: Jenn and Christina Chen attended the Clinton Global Initiative University conference in Austin, TX.  They shared their ideas and learned about other student projects from all over the world.

February 20th, 2009: Jenn attended the Lehigh Valley Association of Independent Colleges first annual Sustainability Conference at DeSalles University.  She presented her poster on the garden project entitled “Creating a Sustainable Food Loop at Academic Institutions through Food Waste Composting and Organic Vegetable Production” and won second place.

February 27-March 1, 2009: Art Kney and Jenn attend the Fourth Annual University Hunger Summit at Auburn University.  They were invited to present the “Locally Sustainable Food Loop” and sit on a panel discussion.

March 2, 2009: Jenn Halpin from Dickinson College visits Lafayette for a day giving a brownbag presentation, meeting with the garden project advisors, dining services, and interested students.  It was an honor to have her here since the original Lafayette garden project was modeled after the Dickinson program.

***Still workin’ on this!!