President M. Dwaine Greene accepts the Kentucky Department of Agriculture’s Farm to Campus Membership Certificate from Ag Commissioner James Comer.
Under the Farm to Campus program, the Kentucky Department of Agriculture will partner with Georgetown College and food service vendor Sodexo to put more farm-fresh Kentucky Proud products in the college’s food service system. Georgetown’s participation in the program will include a unique composting project involving GC, the KDA, and the Scott County Extension Office. They will work together to compost material from the college and make the compost available to area farmers. “As a member of the Farm to Campus program, Georgetown College is making more local food available for students, faculty, and staff,” Agriculture Commissioner James Comer said. “At the same time, you are helping Kentucky family farmers and small businesses make a living. On behalf of all Kentucky farmers, thank you, Georgetown.” “Georgetown College is thrilled to be a participant,” GC President Dwaine Greene said. “Not only does such a program signify cooperation in agricultural and economic stewardship, but it also honors Georgetown College’s 185-year tradition of connecting education and community here in central Kentucky.” Josh Eckman, Sodexo’s site manager at the college, explained that composting completes the circle of farm product from grower to consumer to soil. It is wholly endorsed and supported by the Georgetown Sustainability Initiative (GSI), a student-led collaborative committed to exploring issues that affect Earth. Commissioner Comer and President Greene were joined by Earl Goode, chairperson of the Georgetown College Board of Trustees; U.S. Rep. Andy Barr; State Sen. Damon Thayer; State Rep. Ryan Quarles; State Rep. Tom McKee; and Georgetown Mayor Everette Varney, among others. Faculty, students and trustees who attended the luncheon were served Kentucky Proud products from Slone Farms, Tripple Ridge Farms, Pleasant Hill Farm, Lincoln Co. Product Auction, Townsend Sorghum Mill, Kight’s Pecan Orchard, Kenny’s, Weisenberger Mill, Grow Farms, Evan’s Orchard and Cider Mill, and Gallrein Farms. Georgetown College joins Asbury University, Campbellsville University, Eastern Kentucky University, the University of Louisville, Morehead State University, and the University of Pikeville in the Kentucky Proud Farm to Campus Program.
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