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Luther applies for SWAP grant to support new recycling infrastructure
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 The Center for Sustainable Communities has applied for a $20,000 grant through the Iowa Department of Natural Resource's Solid Waste Alternatives Program (SWAP) to help decrease Luther's solid waste stream. The grant proposal was submitted on October 1st with the intent to purchase seven 3-compartment roll-off recycling bins. New infrastructure would allow student and staff custodians to prevent pile-ups in their buildings, and would allow the college to decrease the number and size of trash dumpsters.These roll-offs would be placed at Towers, Ylvisaker , Baker, Olson, Brandt, and Farwell Residence Halls, and picked up by the Winneshiek County Recycling Department as needed. The Center for Sustainable Communities expects to know within the month if funds have been granted for these recycling bins. To learn more, visit the SWAP website. |
| Student spends summer growing a garden for the food pantry |
 Hailing from Des Moines, IA, senior Jamison Ash has spent a significant amount of time volunteering at local food shelters at home. He quickly noticed that most of the food served wasn't very healthy and none of it was fresh. This struck a chord with him, and while on campus at Luther doing research this summer, he decided to do something about it. Armed with a grant from the Decorah Rotary Club, plants from Decorah Greenhouses, and seeds and advice from The Pepperfield Project's David Cavagnaro, Jamison obtained a 20x20 plot from the Luther Community Gardens and got to work. By the end of the summer, Jamison had grown and donated roughly 70 pounds of potatoes, 300 pounds of tomatoes, and eleven laundry baskets full of summer squash, cucumbers, and beans to the food pantries at Decorah Lutheran Church and First Lutheran Church.
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| 600 students to tour sustainability initiatives through Personal Fitness and Wellness classes in 2014-15 |
This year the Center for Sustainable Communities is coordinating two sustainability themed activity days for the 150 students who take Personal Fitness and Wellness during each seven week session. The goal of these activity days is to expose more Luther students to some of the many sustainability initiatives on campus so they can begin to see how their actions and ideas make a difference. One of the days is on central campus and the other takes students on a foray to some of Luther's outlying areas. On campus the students rotate through three stations to learn about energy, edible landscapes and waste. The off-campus adventure consists of a wind turbine tour, natural lands walk and a visit to the Luther Gardens. The Center is excited to have this opportunity to engage with 600 students through Personal Fitness and Wellness classes during the 2014-15 academic year.
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New Americorp, Foodcorp members join the Center for Sustainable Communities
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 The Center for Sustainable Communities is proud to welcome the new Americorps and Foodcorps members partnering with the Northeast Iowa Food and Fitness Initiative. Ashley Dress, Ashley Turk, Paige Wettach ('12), Megan Woodward, Katie Blocker ('14), Molly Schintler, Katrina Underwood, and Cassie Panther will link the Food and Fitness Initiative in 20 different schools, and assist the school wellness teams as they work together to deepen student, teacher and staff understanding about the benefits of growing and consuming local, healthy food and being physically active. To learn more, visit the NE Iowa Food and Fitness Initiative website, and read personal bios here.
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Results from Luther's lighting study presented at Iowa Energy Summit
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On Thursday, September 25th, Stratis Giannakouros from Luther College and Eric O'Neil from Michaels Energy presented the results of the Luther College Lighting Study at the Iowa Energy Summit in Des Moines, IA. From March-June of this year, Luther and Michaels partnered to conduct a campus-wide review of lighting and HVAC. 14 Luther College students were trained and sent out room-by-room looking for efficiency opportunities. Stratis and Eric shared the results of the study which Michael's analyzed and is currently using to generate a recommendation list for energy efficiency upgrades on Luther's campus. To read more about Luther's energy efficiency projects, visit the Energy and Climate website.
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Every year, Americans drink more than 100 billion cups of coffee; of those, 14.4 billion are served in disposable paper cups. As you head to Nordic Brew or Sunnyside to warm up with a Pumpkin Spice Latte (or preferred drink of choice), don't forget to bring your own mug! Some places even offer small discounts on your purchase when you bring a more environmentally-friendly cup!
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This newsletter is provided by the Center for Sustainable Communities, which coordinates all sustainability initiatives at Luther College. The mission of the Center is to promote sustainability and be a catalyst for change on campus and in the region. For more information on sustainability initiatives at Luther and the outreach work of the Center for Sustainable Communities, please visit: www.luther.edu/sustainability.
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Monday, October 13th- Cooking class: Brown Bag Lunches for the New Century
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Wednesday and Thursday, October 15th & 16th- Guest Lecturer: Charlene Smith
Valders 206Authorized biographer for Nelson Mandela, Charlene Smith will present a series of lectures on campus Wednesday-Thursday. For specific topics and times, visit the website.
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Thursday, November 6th- Cooking class: Homemade Stock, Your Kitchen's Best Kept Secret
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Rachel Brummel Assistant Professor of Environmental Studies
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This fall, Rachel Brummel joined the Environmental Studies Department as an Assistant Professor. Rachel will be teaching environmental studies courses related to the social and political aspects of environmental issues, and will be continuing to develop research projects related to the ways communities and institutions respond in the face of environmental change. She is currently writing up her research on political mobilization in response to the emergence of Asian carp species in the Upper Mississippi River Valley. Originally from nearby McGregor, Iowa, Rachel is a graduate of Grinnell College and of the University of Minnesota, where she obtained her doctorate in conservation biology with a focus on social science and policy.
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Sustainable Dining Coordinator- Colgate University
Colgate University in upstate New York is hiring a coordinator to work and advance local and sustainable food purchasing and overall sustainability in dining services at the university.
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Research and Program Assistant- Practical Farmers of Iowa
Practical Farmers of Iowa is seeking a Research and Program Assistance to help in all facets of the Practical Farmers' Cooperators' Program out of Ames. Read More
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Urban Farm Production Manager- Matthew 25
Matthew 25 Cultivate Hope farm is looking for an Urban Farm Production Manager to oversee the farm as a model of organic, local foods production which is aesthetically pleasing and adds value to the Cedar Rapids community. Read More
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Marketing and Sales Associate- Iowa Food Hub
The Iowa Food Hub is looking for a part-time Marketing and Sales Assistant to assist them with customer service and order fulfillment at their location in West Union, IA. Read More
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