Welcome to the Environmental Studies Capstone Course blog. Over the past decade, community interest in reclaiming control over food production and consumption has fueled a wave of food activism, what Sandor Katz calls"America's Underground Food Movements."

Participants in this course are taking part in the urban agriculture food movement. In addition to reading , discussing, researching and writing on urban agriculture, we are participating. We are planning and planting a garden on campus, forming allegiances with campus and community groups, and contributing to a more sustainable community.

Thursday, May 6, 2010

Local Policy Intiatives and Recommendations

Here are a few policy initiatives in South Carolina that promote our local farms, healthy eating, and sustainable agriculture.

Farm to School Act: To provide healthier food for our schoolchildren while supporting local farms. For more information on Farm to School acts, please visit Farmtoschool.org.

Charleston Green Plan This plan, with the goal to reduce the city's carbon emissions by 83 percent in 40 years, has a section on agriculture and recommends that the City should “Map urban, suburban, and rural areas, permitting local food production at all scales wherever possible, including apiaries” (p.74).

Conservation Bank: This is the state agency that leverages local and federal funds to protect woodlands/wetlands, farmland, urban parks, and historical sites. Ask your legislators to support H.4269 or S.903 which would eliminate the “death clause” language and put the Bank’s budget cuts in line with other agency cuts in tough economic times.

The American Farmland Trust has more information on efforts to strengthen local food systems. To find out about South Carolina, click here.
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