MRV + UVM Partnership | Fall 2010 | 9/16 Kick-Off Event
For the second year in a row the MRV is partnering with UVM in a service learning course in the Community Development Applied Economics Department entitled Local Community Initiatives. The description is as follows:
Students will take an active role in local projects addressing a variety of essential community issues in the Mad River Valley region of Vermont with our course partners, the Mad River Valley Planning District and the Valley Futures Network. Through local project work, case studies, course texts, student research and class discussions, we will learn about the different ways that community members work together to identify challenges, resources and solutions and how they envision their future.
As stated above, the intent of the course in relation to VFN is two-fold, participate in specific projects and analyze VFN as an effective community group. The students will visit the Valley on at least three occasions: once to familiarize themselves with VFN and kick-off group projects (9/15), participation in various specific projects, and a final time to present final projects (12/2 or 12/9).
The students will break into groups to focus on the following three projects throughout the semester:
- Mad River Path Interpretive Materials (Autumn Foushee)
- Mad Bikes Research (Laura Brines)
- MRV Local Food Market Study (Jill Arace).
The kick-off event is scheduled for Wednesday, 9/15, 7- 9:00 PM at Knoll Farm. This is the first opportunity for the students to meet and understand VFN, along with initiating their student projects. All VFN folks, along with those interested in learning more about VFN, are encouraged to attend. This is also a dessert potluck, so please bring your tastiest treats to share with our neighbors and guests.
The success of this project is dependent on VFN member involvement! Let’s make a strong showing for our guests and our future at tomorrow night’s event.