Improving Student Access to Duke Campus Farm
Timeline
Spring 2024
Description
Affiliated course: ENV245/SUSTAIN245, Sustainability in Theory and Practice
Summary: A team of five students worked with Duke Campus Farm through a course-based project to explore possibilities and illustrate the value of implementing a cost-effective, low-carbon transportation system between the farm and campus. Because the farm is about 7 miles from campus and does not have a direct alternative transportation option, most people arrive to the farm in personal vehicles for volunteer work, student crew work, course visits, community workdays and events.
Goals: 1) Document the value and importance of the Duke Campus Farm to a Duke student's personal and academic experience as a student. 2) Recommend potential transportation options to reduce the carbon footprint of farm visitors and increase student access to the farm.
Experience & Learning Outcomes: Students were matched with a client to support the client's research project needs for the duration of the full semester. At the end of the course, students presented their findings to their client. As part of their methods, the team conducted interviews of farm volunteers, crew members and staff; they also distributed and analyzed a survey to first-year undergraduate students who attended the Fall 2023 Farm-to-Table pre-orientation program. Additionally, the students conducted a comparative analysis of communal transportation solutions, compiling findings in a brief and a video. The video offers a narrative of why students would benefit from more accessible transportation to the Duke Campus Farm.
Recommendations: To maximize logistical flexibility, the student team recommends that Duke Campus Farm acquire an electric multi-passenger van for student transportation to and from the farm. The students recommended that the van could be managed and operated by farm staff to allow for maximum flexibility for increased student engagement whenever farm visits are needed.
Students: Julia Bernarde, Genevieve Durham, Jojo Hong, Harrison Kendall, Maddie Plansky
Instructors: Charlotte Clark, course instructor (Nicholas School of the Environment); Lindsay Batchelor and Emily Bilcik, co-instructors (Sustainable Duke); Dima Zlenko, teaching assistant
Client: Amy Curran, Duke Campus Farm Assistant Director
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Academic project