“Think Globally, Eat Locally” initiative begins on March 1, 2010

Cliff Bennett
Friday, February 19, 2010

“Think Globally, Eat Locally” initiative begins on March 1, 2010

University of Maine Cooperative Extension program will discuss the history and role of food in our society today. It will cover: how food is grown; the nutritional value, social element, and environmental issues that encompasses the nation’s food supply

University of Maine Cooperative Extension educators John Jemison and Kate Yerxa will cover topics including but not limited to the following: threats to food supply: climate change, energy and water; relics of the green revolution; genetically modified foods; how food influences health; and how to grow food yourself and community.

The goal of the outreach program is to inform people about the source of the food and promote support for local farmers. The program will discuss some of the harmful farm practices that are taking place worldwide. It will also discuss the health risk of genetically modified crops. The educators hope to inform the participants of the value that local farmers provide to our communities. “The best-case scenario, after this program, is that people would be spending more of their food dollars on locally grown food, supporting local farmers and creating the need for more farmers,” said Jemison.

They also plan to ask participants to donate 25 hours of community service to a food related issue. Jemison and Yerxa would like participants to donate their time to a food pantry or some sort of gardening project. The desire goal of the community service is to promote more locally grown food.

The 25 hour course will be held over a four-week period beginning Monday, March 1, 2010. The first two meetings will begin at 5:30 p.m. due to spring break. The remaining courses will meet on Mondays from 6:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. in the Coe Room in the Memorial Union. For more information, contact John Jemison at 581-3241 or jemison@maine.edu.

Resource:
http://www.umaine.edu/news/blog/2010/02/18/university-of-maine-cooperative-extension-launches