After a class project that had me thinking about my food waste--in terms of compost and cash--I became a little obsessed with what my diet choices meant for my household's footprint, health, and budget. I ended the blog at the end of the semester, but I've kept tracking a lot of that information. I keep asking myself what it really costs to eat the way we want to eat, and how we can even the playing field so the heavy price tags of things like our splurge on maple syrup and bacon in one week are possible for more families.
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This summer, I'll be heading to Portland, Ore. and Berea, Ky. for fieldwork--quick trips to get my bearings on how community orchard projects in these three places (the two sites + here in Bloomington, Ind.) compare. I was fortunate to receive support for the logistical travel expenses, to have a free place to stay in Portland, and to have recently purchased a far more fuel-efficient vehicle. That meant I could use a bit of discretionary income to get the "equipment" I'll need for fieldwork. It looks something like this. I'm really impressed by all of the "equipment," and I highly recommend these simple work-arounds when you don't want to spend money on lots of things you then need to carry around.
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The twelve students worked through Ostrom's eight principles for successful common pool resource (CPR) management & created the rules for their chocolate chip cookie orchard, a renewable resource with significant yields. They created a democratic process that would result in punishments for over-consumers and leave enough cookie left over for a second harvest. The result? Five cookies shared; one used for future plantings. And strict sanctions on their community membership. Weren't in class today? Well, no share in next week's harvest. Took more than your share? You're putting in extensive work to earn back your right to participate. Took more than your share again? You're suspended. Strike three, you're out. For good.
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