UVM Class Focusing on the Future on the Valley
This fall marks the beginning of a new relationship between the Mad River Valley and the University of Vermont’s Department of Community Development Applied Economics. An undergraduate service learning course, titled “Local Community Initiatives,” will analyze and participate in a handful of the Valley’s community organizations.
The 14 UVM students in the course will partner with the Valley Futures Network and Mad River Valley Planning District to take an active role in local projects in the Mad River Valley. Through local project work, case studies, course texts, student research and class discussions, the students will learn about the different ways that community-members work together to identify challenges, resources and solutions and how they envision their future.
The students will break into groups to focus on three projects throughout the semester: a research-based analysis of the organizational structure of the Valley Futures Network, a similar analysis of the Mad River Path Association focusing on membership, and an inventory of renewable energy projects in the Valley.
A dessert potluck kick-off event is schedule for Wednesday, 9/16, 6:45-9 PM at the Center for Whole Communities’ Knoll Farm. This is designed as an opportunity for the students to familiarize themselves with the Valley, meet members of the community, and initiate their student projects. All residents and visitors are encouraged to come and learn more about the work of the Valley Futures Network and the student projects.
The timing of the kick-off event is such to accommodate those that will be participating in the MRV Chamber’s Annual Meeting (5:30-7 PM on 9/16 at the Warren Town Hall). For more information contact the Mad River Valley Planning District’s Joshua Schwartz at 496-7173.
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