SCI-Chesapeake Bay to host Sustainable Food Production Workshop September 24th

The SENCER Chesapeake Center for Innovation is sponsoring a one-day workshop at the Airlie Conference Center in Warrenton Virginia, for faculty interested in sustainable food production.  Airlie Conference Center, now owned by American University, is dedicated to responsible land stewardship through conservation and sustainable practices. Their organic garden has been expanded, and they support new opportunities for production of, and education in, farm-to-table food.

Faculty interested in creating or modifying courses, or using innovative methods for farm-to-table production, or increasing student involvement in sustainability, are invited to attend free of charge.  We encourage faculty teams (2-4) from any regional two or four year colleges.  Attendees will have an opportunity to tour the garden, and discuss potential collaborations with this exciting, new expanded food production program.   Applicants are not required to include food production or education on-site at Airlie in their proposal.  In addition, implementation awards of $500 – $1000 will be made to several teams.

Application details:

  • Twenty faculty from the region will be sponsored and attend the workshop free of charge.
  • Up to ten additional faculty may attend with a $105 all day inclusive registration fee.
  • Teams (2-4 person) from regional institutions are invited to apply to attend the meeting. Individual attendees will be considered if they have committed team members at their home institution, or cross-institution collaboration.  Administrative staff and faculty are encouraged.
  • Faculty from any two or four year institution of higher education are eligible.
  • Submission deadline is September 15, 2017.
  • Invited individuals or teams will be quickly informed if they may attend free or charge.

Application process:

  • Attendees will be selected from a brief two-paragraph submission
  • 1) A brief description or link to your existing institutional / departmental sustainability plan or program, and
  • 2) A brief description of your goals concerning course or curriculum development or modifications.
  • 3) Please indicate if you are interested in being considered for a development award. These limited implementation grants will be awarded at the end of the conference and are designed to provide compensation to faculty.
  • 4) Faculty interested in attending may apply directly via email to Dr. Thomas Wood (twood@gmu.edu) and Dr. Julia Nord  (jnord@gmu.edu)

Faculty will have the opportunity to present their work at future regional SENCER meetings, or at the annual SENCER Summer Institute.

Schedule:  Sunday Sept 24

  • 9:00 – 10:00 AM Arrival and refreshments
  • 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM Discussion of existing sustainability initiatives at attending institutions
  • 12:00 – 1:00 PM Lunch
  • 1:00 – 2:15 PM Tour of the food garden
  • 2:30 – 4:00 Team discussion and reporting out on ideas for their institution
  • 4:00 PM Identification of award recipients, happy hour

For further information, please contact Dr. Thomas Wood (twood@gmu.edu)

Posted in Food, Meeting News, Sustainability.