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UDC goes green with farmer's market
BY MINDY JO HILL
A special learning opportunity occurs every Saturday morning outside UDC. While inside students are attending the classes, which will help them achieve their life goals, area residents are making new connections with the school and enjoying the benefits of healthy eating.
Part of a partnership with the District’s Department of the 
Environment (DDOE) to jumpstart the the 1st annual “Green Your Home Expo,” 39 vendors began selling their produce at a farmer’s market on Sept. 12. Among them was Jose’, whose $2 a bushel greens are grown locally in Virginia. “My brother is the farmer, and we are glad to be apart of the market”.
UDC Associate Vice President Barbara Jumper along with Ward 3 neighborhood planner Andrea Lim, are responsible for the “Neighborhood Sustainability Indicator Pilot Project(NSIPP) which sponsored the market. “ NSIPP gives students as well as the community an opportunity to define sustainability in a way that is meaningful to them and their community while setting goals and objectives to reach that vision.”
The program’s pilot status, which lasts eight months, allows students to participate in activities. Among the suggestions so far is having bike access on campus.
Tommaso Boggia, a local bike repair manager stated, “not only does our company Bike House Co-op repair bikes we also provide excellent recommendations on inexpensive bikes, that are also accessible to students”.
Students are also welcome to make suggestions and do research at the university’s farm, which is part of school’s Agricultural Experiment Station Community Outreach and Extension Services.
“I would be delighted to educate the students as to what the farm has to offer as well as the Agricultural Experiment Station Community Outreach and Extension Services,” farm manager Lonnie Finley said.
For information contact NSIPP at www.green.dc.gov and the Agricultural Experiment Station Community Outreach and Extension Services at 202.274.7115
You can also take advantage of what DDOE has to offer such as:
- Weatherization training
- Green Collar Jobs Advisory Council
- Direct financial assistance and utility discounts for low-income residents
- Free home energy audits
- Weatherization and new appliances for low-income residents
- Hands-on environmental education
Make sure you take advantage of the offerings to jumpstart your healthier and greener living.
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