2008

Perspectives on Culture, Life and Learning through Agriculture

Thursday, March 20th, 12:30

food is our most important energy source.  Food is the way we take solar energy into our bodies to power them.  In the last century, our food changed from a largely solar product to one extremely dependent upon fossil fuels and nuclear energy, as well as on non-sustainable agriculture.  This has had disastrous consequences for the health of the Earth, of our society and ourselves.  Pesticides, conventional fertilizers, food miles, fancy retailing and packaging all worsen climate change.  Organic methods and local food can counter this damage.

Bill Duesing has been farming using organic methods for over 35 years on the Old Solar Farm in Oxford, and has been promoting a vigorous Connecticut food system for that time.  He is currently the Executive Director of CT NOFA, the Northeast Organic Farming Association in Connecticut, president of the NOFA Interstate Council and past president of the Connecticut Farmland Trust.

Friday, April 11th, 12:30

The term “invasive plants” refers to weeds of natural areas and minimally managed habitats.  By definition, an invasive plant must not be native to the region it is invading.  Invasive plants are a concern because they displace native vegetation and thereby disrupt ecosystem processes.  The landscapes of New England have been and continue to be invaded by numerous plant species native to Europe and Asia.  Non-native plants such as kudzu, invasive in states to our south, are gradually creeping northward because of warming conditions, especially milder winters.  Todd Mervosh’s presentation will cover the identification and negative characteristics of the most troublesome invasive plants in Connecticut.

Dr. Mervosh has expertise in the areas of weedy plant identification, weed biology, and weed management strategies for ornamental landscapes, field- and container-grown nursery stock, Christmas trees, pumpkins and small fruit crops.  Dr. Mervosh currently works at The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station Valley Laboratory in Windsor, CT.

 

Friday, May 9th, 12:30

Learn how the State of Connecticut has become a national leader in the fight to reduce harmful green house gas emissions. See what Bloomfield  is doing to support green practices and how it has become a leading town in the state. This talk will cover the politics of clean energy and the power that individual citizens have to shape government and corporate policy.  Learn how politicians have pushed to keep our economy tied to coal and oil and what you can do to put our nation on a path towards a clean energy future.

Kat West works for the renewable energy provider Sterling Planet, leading outreach program in the Connecticut and Massachusetts markets. A 2007 graduate of Trinity College, Kat was a successful environmental activist for the campus, raising thousands of dollars for the purchase of wind renewable energy and outdoor recycling bins.  Kat grew up in Avon Connecticut and now lives in Hartford.

JUNE 6TH, 2008

Harris Agriscience Center, Front of Building

This year, Bloomfield schools bike to work day will coincide with the National Bike to work day. Come join area commuters who ride their bikes to work daily and the many others who will be participating in the annual National Bike to Work Day on TDB. May is bike to work month and Bloomfield schools has teamed up with many local businesses to promote an active lifestyle and reduce traffic congestion.

On June 6th, 2008, starting at 7:30 am., anyone interested in reducing traffic congestion, improving the environment and saving money on gas is invited to stop by the Harris Agriscience center on their way to work to greet bike-riding commuters and Bloomfield High School’s Farm-To-School program will be providing pastries, water and coffee.

If you are thinking of commuting by bike, check out http://www.wecyclect.org/ for more information on how to get started. 

May 30th 11am-2pm

On May 30th, from 11am to 2pm, the students at the Harris Agriscience Center at Bloomfield High School will be hosting a CT Grown Farmer’s Market at the Agriscience Center. We are inviting everyone to visit the Farm Market as well as to learn more about the Bloomfield school nutrition program and the district’s initiative to feature more locally grown produce as part of school meals.

The collaboration between the three departments of Agriscience, Culinary Arts and Foodservice is cutting edge education. The Agriscience Students start the vegetable seedlings in their on-site greenhouses, when ready to be moved outside the students plant the seedlings in one of the twenty raised beds at the Harris Agriscience Center. When school starts in September the Chefs from the Food Service Department (School Lunch) harvest the vegetables to be used as part of the school lunch program. In addition the Culinary Arts Students also harvest the vegetables to be used in their classes. Teaming the Agriscience students and the Culinary Arts students teaches each other the real cycle of life.

Bloomfield Public Schools Foodservice Department also participates in the Connecticut Farm to School Program. This program educates students on the benefits of eating locally procured products including fresh fruits and vegetables. To learn more about the Bloomfield Schools Farm-to-School Program visit www.blmfld.org/farmtoschool.

May 30th - June 1st

Fair has been cancelled.