Cultivating Community in Oxford, Ohio

This last Sunday, Moon (Miami oxford organic network) held their third annual meeting at the Oxford Community Arts Center titled “Cultivating Community” in conjunction with the Uptown Oxford Farmers Market.

The meeting, in which the Talawanda Farmers Market also participated, was a food extravaganza held in the ballroom of the Oxford Community Arts Center with the brightly colored leaves of autumn adorning the ballroom. Tables were set up with gourd decorations and golden tablecloths and strewn with local organic foods such as Turkish coffee, deserts, lamb, salads and gluten-free items providing a little something for everyone and giving the public a taste of items that may be accessible in the long awaited MOON co-op grocery store.

But “Cultivating Community” isn’t only about the food; it’s about local economic ties too. Local businesses were represented in the form of raffle prizes. Restaurants such as Kona Bistro and Stella on Main contributed gift certificates while shops such as The Green Door and Wildberry contributed merchandise as well.

The event was also about bringing people together within the community.  Marge Glaser, an active community member, was in charge of putting together the decorations and local musicians for the event and although it was difficult, it is something she’s devoted to. “People are hungry for community. Having this at the art center was perfect because creating community is an art. It has to be cultivated,” Glaser said,  “It was a lot of work, but it was fun and it is something I love and believe in.”

Glaser also emphasized the need to reduce conflict between people as an important thought for establishing community, “We need to listen to each other,” said Glaser, “and stop being conflictive and collaborate instead.”

Attendees of the event were also invited to participate in what MOON and the Oxford Farmers Market called “Market Share” in which items are ‘freecycled’, a form of trading between people that requires one to bring in some quality items they no longer need and take something else home that they do need.

Shelley Collopy, an Oxford resident, brought a stuffed animal dog and a ‘Kinex’ set for the freecycle and picked up a box of ‘tinker toys’ in exchange. Collopy said she felt like the meeting promoted publicity for MOON COOP and the Oxford Farmers Market.” I think it’s fantastic!” Collopy said, “It helps to get everyone together.”

Bernadette Unger, president of MOON, was pleased with the turnout. “We had a huge turn out this year and it’s very positive,” Unger said, “This is the highest turnout for the annual meeting so far.”

When asked about the much-anticipated local organic grocery store by MOON COOP that is still in the works, Unger stated that there still is not an address but they are getting closer to a location.

Until then, events such as this and the Uptown and Talawanda farmers markets will have to fulfill Oxford’s growing hunger for local organic food and close community ties.

Miami of Ohio Rated 87 on “Coolest Schools” List

You may not be aware of all the changes going on at Miami but they are there, they are green, and they are being noticed. On September 9, Miami was named number 87 on a list of “coolest schools” by Sierra magazine for its efforts to promote sustainability and fight global warming.

Cody Powell, the Director of Maintenance, says changes have been made in order to save energy and money. Most academic and administration buildings are now controlled by building automation system programs that monitor what times are unoccupied in the buildings and adjust heat and air conditioning usage as needed.

The program is just one of the many changes to take place this year at Miami along with others. Another energy and resource saving feature on Miami’s campus is the fountain at Shriver Center that circulates its water and is turned off during the winter months. Powell said that it used to be kept on and would waste a tremendous amount of energy and water but by taking a suggestion from a student, the decision was made to turn it off at certain times of the year.

Miami has also created a new position for sustainability in efforts to go green. David Prytherch, professor of geography, is now also the sustainability coordinator for Miami. Prytherch’s main responsibilities include bringing students, staff, and faculty together over sustainable issues and is forming a committee devoted to sustainability. Pyrtherch says that sustainability is important to Miami for several reasons and cited Miami’s history and future, saving money and promoting efficiency, and competing for incoming students as top priority. Prytherch also said that environmental issue will not just go away so sustainability at Miami is important and that the appointment of a coordinator shows that Miami is serious about sustainability. Prytherch said that it is going to be a challenge to make Miami completely sustainable but confronting that problem is the first step to solving it.

Miami student Amy Hillow has noticed the changes on campus and approves. Hillow says that she sees recycling bins all over, there is never trash around, and the campus is always clean. On a recent visit to Ohio State, Hillow says that Miami is a lot cleaner. Hillow also said that Miami’s ban on smoking on campus has kept things neat and that there are signs all over that promote saving energy and recycling.

Miami’s academics have also undergone a green transformation with the addition of the global perspectives on sustainability minor and environmental principles and practices major, both of which are devoted to being green.

Hillow says that the minor and major are good because a lot of people are very adamant about protecting our environment so the minor and major give them something they can be a part of.

To be part of helping Miami to be more green, you can visit Miami’s sustainability website “That Makes Cents” and make some energy saving suggestions on how the campus can operate in a more earth friendly way.