Groups of students from the service learning course, entitled Local
Community Initiatives, worked with representatives from the Mad River
Path Association, Mad Bikes of Waitsfield as well as local food
producers and the localvores to determine "different ways that community
members work together to identify challenges, resources and solutions
and how they envision their future," according to Mad River Valley
Planning District director Joshua Schwartz.
Schwartz worked closely with course lecturer Will "Chip" Sawyer and
other members of the Valley Futures Network to coordinate the class
projects. Another round of planning is already underway for the 2011
school year.
The first group of UVM students worked with the Mad River Path
Association to develop recommendations for interpretive installations
along the Mad River Path; the second group worked with Mad Bikes of
Waitsfield to provide feedback and recommendations for the mission and
organization of the green bike program.
The MRPA group recommended integrating historical materials into interpretative signage and kiosks along the Mad River Path.
Students Nicole Fenton, David Link, David Loehr, Jacob Scudder and
Michael Verla included information about the flood of 1927 and the
history of the Mad River Dam in their recommendations. The MRPA group
also suggested including art installations to be commissioned by local
artists along the Mad River Path.
The second group focused on the organization and mission of Mad Bikes of
Waitsfield; students Richard Nam, Ky Brown, Evan Loschiavo, Becky Roche
and Kyle O'Neill researched community bike share programs to come up
with recommendations for an effective organizational model and mission
statement.
The group presented their final mission statement last week: "Mad River
Bikes aims to provide a fun alternative source of transportation through
a free bike-sharing program. This program provides bike education,
along with promoting the health of individuals, the community and the
environment."
The goal of the Mad River Valley local food market study was "to gather
information that would enhance the Mad River Valley Agricultural
economy" according to the presentation made by students Jimmy Debiasi,
Sara Geoghegan, Emily Demikat, Aaron Brown and Margaret Stone who
interviewed producers from six different Valley farms.
Their study addressed product distribution, expansion, the market,
demand, and infrastructure. Group members recommended implementing
advertising strategies, cooperating with other farmers and producers as
well as utilizing unfilled niches.
Schwartz and class instructor Sawyer are planning a third installment of
the course to take place in fall 2011. Solicitation of projects will
take place in the spring.
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