91̽»¨

Art Trese, associate professor of environmental and plant biology, leads the sustainable agriculture class in the West State Street Gardens.

At its annual meeting in June, The 91̽»¨ Foundation announced support for seven projects proposed by The Sugar Bush Foundation’s board of directors. The announcement marks the launch of three projects and the continued support of four projects.

The Sugar Bush Foundation is a supporting organization of The 91̽»¨ Foundation that provides funding for collaborative University-community projects which focus on promoting sustainability, environmental and socioeconomic development, and community engagement in service to improving the quality of life in Appalachian Ohio.

Projects approved for continued funding for the 2018-2019 cycle include:

Appalachian Ohio Zero Waste Initiative (AOZWI) Phase IV: $100,000

AOZWI aims to create a culture that supports a movement towards zero waste, an effort that increases waste diversion, decreases per capita waste generation, grows waste and recycling-based ventures and works towards zero waste at OHIO. The project is managed through a partnership between OHIO’s Voinovich School of Leadership and Public Affairs and Rural Action, a regional nonprofit that promotes social, economic, and environmental justice through training, organizing and supporting communities.This year’s funding marks The Sugar Bush Foundation’s year nine and ten of its ten-year commitment to this project.

Initiative for Appalachian Food and Culture (IAFC): $30,000

The IAFC is a multi-year collaborative project involving 91̽»¨â€™s Food Studies Theme, Rural Action’s Sustainable Agriculture Program (RASA), and Community Food Initiatives, a non-profit that builds resilient economies and promotes food security through a community-based sustainable food system. Funding will support a collaborative project with three joint activities to support greater local and regional food procurement for 91̽»¨.

Zero Waste Thrift Store: $27,694

This cycle’s funding represents the second year of funding from the group’s 2017 proposal. Support from The Sugar Bush Foundation will help develop Athens MakerSpace (AMS), a non-profit that will provide work space, tools, classes and events that support local product- and upcycled product-making from wood, metal, fabric-fiber, electronics and digital design and fabrication (3-D print, CNC, laser cutting). The effort is a partnership between OHIO’s Voinovich School for Leadership and Public Affairs and ReUse Industries, an Athens-based non-profit that diverts reusable materials from landfills to support a sustainable economy, protect the environment, and create jobs.

Sustainable Treatment of Acid Mine Drainage for Pigment Production: $25,000

A partnership among OHIO’s Russ College of Engineering and Technology’s Department of Civil Engineering, the College of Fine Arts’ School of Art and Design, and Rural Action is developing a technology that will convert toxic acid mine drainage from abandoned coal mines to pigments that will be sold for use in paint and other products. A solar-powered facility is under construction and will benefit Appalachian communities by restoring polluted streams and creating jobs.

Projects approved for new funding for the 2018-2019 cycle include:

Growing the Regional Circular Economy with Social Enterprises based on ConstructionMaterial Reclamation, Repair, Retraining, and Repurposing: $41,000

A partnership between Habitat for Humanity of Southeast Ohio (HFHSEO) and OHIO’S Voinovich School of Leadership and Public Affairs (GVS), this project aims to grow the regional economy through construction material reclamation, repair, retraining and repurposing and develop social enterprises based on these activities. The Sugar Bush Foundation’s support will assist with the development of HFHSEO’s new Training Center and Warehouse near Chauncey, Ohio, as well as enable a Social Return on Investment evaluation of the project’s waste-diverting and economic-development activities.

Building the Winding Road Collaborative: $35,934

This project is a partnership among OHIO’s Center for Campus & Community Engagement, the College of Arts and Sciences, The Patton College of Education’s Sports & Recreation Pedagogy-Recreation Studies Department; the Ohio Hill Country Heritage Area, the Wayne National Forest, Rural Action, the Buckeye Trail Association and Hocking College. The effort aims to offer the public a range of high-quality experiences and destinations in the region that provide both educational and leisure activities. Support from the Sugar Bush Foundation will develop the effort’s four pillars: Build a solid foundation for the network and the brand by building effective and collaborative decision-making processes; map, catalyze, and market experience products; train guides and develop interpretive programs and tours; and engage 91̽»¨ as one of the network’s key backbone organizations.

The City of Chillicothe’s Journey on the Zero Waste Pathway: $30,000

The City of Chillicothe’s Mayor’s Office has partnered with 91̽»¨â€™s Chillicothe Campus to implement a city-wide curbside recycling program to build capacity toward the city’s goal of achieving zero waste status. The city has secured resources toward this effort, and students from a business, marketing, and communication class at the Chillicothe Campus created a curbside recycling communication and marketing plan. The Sugar Bush Foundation funding supports two 20-hour per week interns who work with the city to implement and refine the marketing/communication plan. Luke Feeney, mayor of Chillicothe, graduated from 91̽»¨ in 2002 with a bachelor’s degree in political science.

Since The Sugar Bush Foundation has many projects receiving continuing support, it will not be accepting new applications for the 2019-2020 funding cycle.

Click here to learn more about The Sugar Bush Foundation.