Tracy Farmer Institute for Sustainability and the Environment

05/13/2021

🚨 New Post!! 🚨 Check out this post by Robert Eversole, Director of Sustainability at UK Dining, about food waste and food insecurity!

https://wholesumky.org/?p=3411

UK Recycling
University of Kentucky Center for Applied Energy Research

05/03/2021

Reminder that applications for the University of Kentucky Sustainability Challenge Grant Program are being accepted until May 28, 2021!

The Sustainability Challenge Grant Program is designed to engage faculty or staff-led, multidisciplinary teams from the university community in the creation and implementation of ideas and projects that address sustainability-related challenges. Sustainability, in this context, is intended to convey the need to pursue activities that are ecologically sound, socially just and economically viable.

This year, program leaders are encouraging proposals that address intersections with challenges that have emerged during the pandemic and/or those related to the diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts of the University.

Find application materials and more information at https://www.uky.edu/susta.../sustainability-challenge-grants

04/23/2021

Check out the post and linked article below to learn more about the benefits of green space on campus!

04/22/2021

Today is the day. . Let’s engage sustainability differently. Let’s face the evolving challenges of the future—together. Students, faculty, staff, and community friends – join the conversation today at www.wholesumky.org

04/21/2021

Applications for the Sustainability Challenge Grants are now open!

Applications for the University of Kentucky Sustainability Challenge Grant Program are being accepted now through May 28, 2021!

The Sustainability Challenge Grant Program is designed to engage faculty or staff-led, multidisciplinary teams from the university community in the creation and implementation of ideas and projects that address sustainability-related challenges. Sustainability, in this context, is intended to convey the need to pursue activities that are ecologically sound, socially just and economically viable.

This year, program leaders are encouraging proposals that address intersections with challenges that have emerged during the pandemic and/or those related to the diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts of the University.

Find application materials and more information at https://www.uky.edu/sustainability/sustainability-challenge-grants

04/15/2021

04/08/2021

Together, we’re building a new set of the three R’s. Resilience. Rapport. Renewal.

03/26/2021

'Aerated manure compost facility for the smaller horse-farm operation' was funded through our Sustainability Challenge Grant program this year!

An average sized horse can produce as much as 9,400 kg or 20,000 lbs. of f***s and stall bedding waste (manure) per year. While many farms opt to land-apply manure, smaller horse farms housing less than 6 horses typically have fewer acres, and continuous, environmentally responsible land-application of manure is not an option. While manure removal services are available, these services can be expensive for small horse farm owners. One alternative option is manure composting.

This project is constructing a cost efficient, aerated, manure composting facility that can be replicated or adapted by small horse farm owners. It will also enable faculty to use the facility as a hands-on learning experience for undergraduate classes related to horse facility design and management! Year-round use of the facility for research and general farm use will provide a constant supply of compost to local community gardens.

03/25/2021

It’s not just about the environment. It’s about the future. Our future. WholeSum. .

03/15/2021

Place Setting: Enhancing Sustainable Approaches to Food Security and Community Engagement is another one of our funded Sustainability Challenge Grant projects this year!

This project aims to revitalize a student-led service organization, the Campus Kitchen at the University of Kentucky, and its community enrichment programs that addresses food waste and food insecurity (such as Farm-to-Fork)!

Steadily growing in reputation and awareness, the program serves nutritionally balanced lunchtime meals and provides educational resources to 120-150 individuals weekly; however, the space in which the food is processed, cooked, served, and eaten is not conducive to such efforts. In response, a third-year Interiors studio engaged stakeholders and conducted evidence-based research as a foundation for creating conceptual proposals that would enhance existing events, expand potential programming, and more deeply impact beneficiaries. Using these concepts as a foundation, this project intends to redesign, renovate, and rebrand the space to promote sustainability through enhanced understanding of food security and food waste along with increased awareness of programs associated with feeding campus and Lexington communities.

03/05/2021

Coordinating and Assisting the Reuse of Assistive Technology in Rural Appalachian Communities is another one of our funded Sustainability Challenge Grant projects this year!

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 29.8% of Kentuckians have a disability, and many of these individuals are unable to afford durable medical equipment.

This project is expanding the existing Coordinating and Assisting the Reuse of Assistive Technology (CARAT) program based at the UK Center of Excellence in Rural Health! The goal of CARAT is to increase mobility, decrease isolation, and improve community participation of individuals with disabilities in Kentucky through the refurbishing and redistribution of used DME to individuals who could not otherwise afford it.

02/26/2021

Evaluating 20 Years of Urban Reforestation in Lexington is one of our funded Sustainability Challenge Grant projects this year!

Reforest the Bluegrass' successful community engagement is well-known and applauded, but Reforest's ecological successes are less well-understood.

This project is aiming to assemble a comprehensive database collating data over the twenty year history of Reforest the Bluegrass, to establish permanent monitoring plots on each Reforest site, AND to collect a suite of environmental data from each site, including soil chemistry, plant community structure, migratory soundbird abundance and species diversity, and water quality.

Because of the significance of this data resource, the proposed project presents an opportunity for UK and the city of Lexington to emerge as a leader in the field of urban reforestation ecology!