Topic - Sustainability (356)

A time of harvest: Greenacres documentary project begins post-production as 2024 agricultural cycle concludes (Stories 627313)

melissa.birdsey — Thu, 12 Dec 2024 13:43:50 +0000

A time of harvest: Greenacres documentary project begins post-production as 2024 agricultural cycle concludes (Stories 627313) melissa.birdsey Thu, 12/12/2024 - 08:43 A time of harvest: Greenacres documentary project begins post-production as 2024 agricultural cycle concludesInstructor of Film & New Media Nathan Buck shares highlights of the summer and fall—from filming in three states to welcoming a new team member. December 12, 2024

Humans are deeply attuned to the changing seasons and their effects on the natural world. It’s a harmonious cycle of dormancy, rebirth, growth, and harvest—and a logical yet symbolic cadence for creating a documentary about regenerative agriculture.

“Our production plan was always to follow an agricultural cycle for a full calendar year,” says Nathan Buck, an Instructor of Film & New Media who is co-directing the Greenacres documentary project with Claire Collins. “We started shooting in January 2024, and our plan was to shoot through the end of this year.”

The film—which is being produced in partnership with the Ohio-based Greenacres Foundation—began production as farmers planted the first seeds of the 2024 growing season. Now, as we celebrate the harvest, the Greenacres team is preparing for the next stage in the documentary’s own life cycle.

We caught up with Buck to learn more about what the Greenacres team has accomplished since our last update—and what’s in store for the next semester.

Capturing the growing cycle in Michigan and beyond

While students returned to their homes for summer break, the Greenacres team’s faculty collaborators kept working to capture the most significant part of the agricultural cycle.

“We continued the project over the summer out of necessity: Summer is the prime growing season for agriculture,” Buck says. “For many of our participants, this is the most involved moment.”

The team’s first focus for the summer was keeping up with regional participants—including Indigenous partners, farmers, and Interlochen’s sustainability team. One of the project’s student members, who lives in the Grand Traverse area, joined faculty for several of their local projects.

Beyond northern Michigan, the Greenacres faculty also checked in with two of the film’s other student collaborators. The visits were more than social calls: Students’ efforts to learn more about regenerative agriculture have become a focal point of the documentary.

“As we slowly developed the case for the film back in April, we decided that we really wanted the film to be by, for, and about these students,” Buck says. “This film is being put together in a really unique way. The faculty have a dual role as teachers and filmmakers. But at the same time, we’re taking a step back and trying to have these students front and center—both in front of the camera and in shaping and driving the film.”

Collins traveled to Sacramento, California to spend a few days with Creative Writing student Iliana. During their visit, Collins followed Iliana as she spent time with her family and interviewed a farmer who supplies food to local schools.

The team also visited Film & New Media student Cooper, who lives in an agricultural community near Atlanta, Georgia.

“[Cooper’s community] is an interesting concept,” Buck says. “We were able to meet with the founder of the community to learn more about the philosophy of integrating agriculture with community.”

The start of the fall semester aligned with another important moment of the growing cycle: harvest.

“The early fall was a busy time for us—both in terms of students coming back to campus and in terms of the agricultural cycle,” Buck says. “We took a lot of field trips to visit our Indigenous partners. We also visited a farmer who was conducting a burn to create an agricultural input called biochar; our students even got to participate in the burn.”

Finding and refining the story

As this year’s agricultural cycle concludes, the Greenacres team is turning their attention to the post-production process.

Award-winning film editor and motion graphics designer Elizabeth Kaiser joined the Greenacres team in August as the film’s editor. While the rest of the team wraps up production, Kaiser has been cataloging the material gathered over the course of the 2024 growing season.

“We have something like 140 hours of footage now,” Buck says. “Liz has been working brilliantly to bring together all of that footage and organize it so we can tackle the editing phase.”

The documentary’s faculty collaborators are also leading conversations about the film’s narrative.

“We’re currently working on finding the story within the material that we have and slowly refining it,” Buck says. “One thing we’re focusing on is finding 15 to 20 key scenes and using those as ‘islands’ around which to build out the full story. Claire, Liz, and I have been collaborating closely as we debate, discuss, push, and pull on how we’re shaping all of this material into a story.”

Students have also been involved in the process of defining the film’s story—which has provided opportunities to learn about the elements of storytelling.

“One of the ways we’re encouraging student buy-in is to have them really think about story structure,” Buck says. “What is the inciting incident? What’s the hook? What’s the first-act climax? What is the midpoint of the movie? Who is the protagonist? All of these generic story ideas are applicable to any film; we’re applying those same paradigms and templates to this project.”

While there’s still a long post-production stage ahead of them, Buck is impressed by how far the Greenacres team has come.

“It's been an amazing journey,” he says. “Considering where we were just over a year ago—when we were first grappling with this idea—and where we are now, we’ve really deepened our understanding of regenerative agriculture.”

Fly away, butterfly: Interlochen’s Sustainability Department raises and releases 50 monarch butterflies (News Articles 626993)

marycaroline.whims@interlochen.org — Fri, 09 Aug 2024 15:37:27 +0000

Fly away, butterfly: Interlochen’s Sustainability Department raises and releases 50 monarch butterflies (News Articles 626993) marycaroline.w… Fri, 08/09/2024 - 11:37 Fly away, butterfly: Interlochen’s Sustainability Department raises and releases 50 monarch butterfliesThe project, which involved Arts Camp students, staff, and faculty members, was part of an ongoing effort by Interlochen to support and raise awareness for this native species.

Kara Dutton, Interlochen Sustainability Garden Intern, poses with a newly-hatched monarch butterfly.

August 9, 2024

Late July of 2024 was a special time at Interlochen’s R.B. Annis Botanical Lab and Community Garden. Over the course of a few weeks, 50 monarch butterflies—carefully raised by Sustainability staff, faculty, and Arts Camp students—were released into the wild, free to fly wherever they wished.

With Eastern Monarch butterfly populations decreasing by more than 80% in the past 30 years, and Western Monarch populations falling by almost 95%, Interlochen’s efforts are a small but meaningful step towards supporting this beloved native species. For over five years, the Interlochen greenhouse has been tracking the migration of local monarchs as part of the University of Kansas’s Monarch Watch. This year, Interlochen's Sustainability Department, under the direction of Emily Umbarger, took the program to a new level by purchasing caterpillars from the University of Kansas to be raised at Interlochen.

Housed in mesh butterfly habitats and surrounded by their favorite food, milkweed, the 50 caterpillars enjoyed safety and plenty of resources while they transformed into chrysalises and then mature butterflies.

“Caterpillars stay in that stage for around 8-15 days,” Umbarger explained. “They grow larger and larger, shedding their skin five different times. After transforming into chrysalises, they spend 1-2 weeks that way and then emerge as adult butterflies.”

A monarch caterpillar feeds on a milkweed leaf.

A migration that defies all odds

Known for their distinctive orange-and-black patterned wings, monarch butterflies are also famous for their ability to migrate long distances—an incredible journey that Interlochen is helping to chart. Before being released, each Interlochen butterfly was tagged with a unique ID code. That way, scientists across the continent will be able to record where the butterflies travel.

“If scientists or fellow citizens capture these butterflies, they can go online and report this data,” says Umbarger. “Then we’re able to tell where our butterflies went and what they’re doing.”

Depending on the time and place of their birth, monarch butterflies have specific roles to play as either breeding adults or migrating adults. Breeding adults will fly about a third of the way through the annual migratory route before stopping to mate and lay eggs, while later generations of migrating monarchs fly somewhere around 3,000 miles to Mexico, where they will spend the winter.

Monarchs face all of these human challenges, in addition to natural predation and predators, while also navigating the fantastic metamorphosis that they have to go through. It's absolutely insane.

Emily Umbarger

“It’s extraordinary that these tiny insects are able to migrate 3,000 miles and know how to get there,” Umbarger comments. “They aren’t doing it based on experience; they’ve never made the trip before. There are incredible forces of nature at play in their biology that make them uniquely adapted to navigating this journey.”

Although the navigation process is still very mysterious, scientists think that monarchs rely on an internal compass that’s oriented by sunlight and magnetism. By any account, the monarchs’ journey is nothing short of a miracle.

“Monarchs make their journey despite climate change, pesticide use, and habitat loss due to the logging industry in Mexico where they overwinter,” says Umbarger. “They’re facing all of these human challenges, in addition to natural predation and predators, while also navigating the fantastic metamorphosis that they have to go through. It's absolutely insane.”

A monarch butterfly with a tracking sticker on its wing

Preserving a species while building awareness

The reasons behind Interlochen’s monarch-raising program are twofold: preservation and building awareness.

“In the wild, only a small percentage of monarch eggs actually hatch and make it through their larval stage to adulthood,” says Umbarger. “Protecting them through these vulnerable stages can help increase their numbers.”

The project isn’t just about supporting this generation of monarchs, though. It’s intended to raise awareness throughout the Interlochen community and beyond—potentially affecting the entire future of the species. It all starts with Interlochen Arts Camp, where young students are able to actively participate in raising the butterflies.

“At Camp, we spend a whole day talking about monarchs as part of the environmental studies program,” she says. “We teach students what's going on in the world of monarch butterflies, why we should care about it, how we can participate, and what we can do to help advocate and spread information about them.”

An Intermediate Arts Camp student holds a monarch.

Every time her students get the chance to interact with the developing monarchs, Umbarger sees lightbulbs go on.

“The monarch life cycle and metamorphosis is a fascinating process for students to wrap their head around,” she says. “My students especially love learning about how the caterpillar’s entire cellular structure is broken down into a soupy primordial substance inside the chrysalis, and then they come out looking completely different. That always blows their minds.”

Umbarger urges her students and the community at large to do their part in protecting the species.

“The first thing we can do is stop spraying harmful pesticides,” she says. “We can also plant native perennial plants that provide habitats for our local species. What's most important is that you plant native milkweed species that are indigenous to your particular growing area. There are lots of species of milkweed out there, so you want to grow species that belong there.”

The most important thing, says Umbarger, is to continue spreading awareness through conversations with others.

“People are more likely to listen to their neighbor than some information they find online,” she notes. “Just having a conversation with someone is a really powerful tool.”

As bright orange and black wings filled the air this July, the Interlochen community celebrated the beauty and resilience of the monarch butterfly. There’s no doubt that Interlochen’s support for this amazing species will only grow in the years ahead.

Interlochen’s Sustainability department seeks to inspire the local community—and the next generation—with a deep understanding of how much they depend on the natural world. Learn more about Sustainability at Interlochen.

Sustainability & Nature Lecture Series invites adult learners to explore art and ecology in new ways this summer (News Articles 626483)

marycaroline.whims@interlochen.org — Fri, 31 May 2024 18:36:11 +0000

Sustainability & Nature Lecture Series invites adult learners to explore art and ecology in new ways this summer (News Articles 626483) marycaroline.w… Fri, 05/31/2024 - 14:36 Sustainability & Nature Lecture Series invites adult learners to explore art and ecology in new ways this summerFrom honey tasting to the art of bonsai, there’s something for everyone in this year’s lineup. May 31, 2024

This summer, Interlochen Center for the Arts once again invites the local community to expand their creative horizons through the Sustainability & Nature Lecture Series. Twelve thought-provoking programs allow adult learners to interact with the local environment through an artistic and ecological lens.

The diverse lineup ranges from watercolor painting and bonsai workshops to honey tastings and mushroom foraging seminars. Emily Umbarger, Interlochen's Director of Sustainability, carefully curates each year's offerings based on community interests.

"Our goal is to inspire participants to explore nature and sustainability in new ways," says Umbarger. "Whether you’re learning about native plants, experimenting with botanical printmaking, or observing local butterflies, these programs make learning about the natural world fun and engaging."

Kicking off on June 12th with a watercolor class taught by artist Wendy McWhorter, the series explores creative disciplines like painting and printmaking. A program focused on the ancient art of bonsai allows participants to take home their own bonsai starter, plus a pot and expert instructions for creating their own mini masterpiece. Nature enthusiasts can attend lectures on topics like invasive species, wildflower habitats, shoreline plants, and the butterflies of Northwest Michigan.

A special highlight is the two honey tasting events led by local beekeepers Janna Urbasic and Jon Willow, diving into the flavors and culinary uses of domestic and international honey varietals. Other hands-on workshops cover insect preservation techniques and the use of biochar, a charcoal-like substance used since ancient times to enhance soil health.

"We strive to cover both artistic expression and environmental education in our summer offerings," says Umbarger. "Our lectures are a great chance to build community with like-minded individuals who are passionate about the natural world.”

Programs are held Wednesday evenings from 6-8 p.m. at Interlochen's R.B. Annis Botanical Lab (the printmaking and wild mushroom classes also have Thursday lectures). Sustainability & Nature Lectures are $20, while honey tasting programs require a $35 registration fee and the Bonsai program is $40. Pre-registration is required.

Get more details on the lectures being offered and sign up for your favorites here.

Exploration and evolution: Greenacres documentary begins production in northern Michigan and beyond (Stories 626372)

melissa.birdsey — Mon, 06 May 2024 11:57:09 +0000

Exploration and evolution: Greenacres documentary begins production in northern Michigan and beyond (Stories 626372) melissa.birdsey Mon, 05/06/2024 - 07:57 Exploration and evolution: Greenacres documentary begins production in northern Michigan and beyondProducer Claire Collins shares an update on Interlochen Arts Academy’s documentary on regenerative agriculture.

Arts Academy students watch the eclipse at a Greenacres-operated farm in Indiana.

May 6, 2024

On April 8, 2024, ten Interlochen Arts Academy students experienced the total solar eclipse from a farm in Indiana.

The students’ presence in the path of totality was a coincidence—an unexpected yet exhilarating outcome of their visit to the Ohio-based Greenacres Foundation to capture footage for a feature-length documentary on regenerative agriculture.

“The eclipse was a magical moment of the trip,” says Claire Collins, who serves as producer for the documentary. “It was a really fun and amazing way—symbolically and literally—to align ourselves as a group. It was also a cool moment of connecting to the natural world and appreciating that we really are on this tiny rock spinning through space. This documentary is about the micro, the macro, and the cosmic, and the eclipse was a really neat example of that.”

The April Greenacres trip was one facet of a busy spring semester which saw the documentary’s student, faculty, and staff collaborators begin principal photography on the project.

“Last semester, we were really focusing on pre-production development—making initial contacts, building relationships, and starting to wrap our heads around what this project is and what it could be,” Collins says. “This semester, we really hit the ground running with filming and meeting farmers, researchers, and different people in the community who have real stakes in this issue.”

Engaging students as storytellers

A drawing of a film slate on a whiteboard.

As the production process unfolds, the documentary’s leadership team and faculty is exploring how best to engage students as learners and collaborators.

“Over the course of the semester, we’ve continued evolving in terms of how we are working with students on this project,” Collins says. “We have a class of 10 students, and each of those students have different interests and different desires for how they want to be involved with the production. We have a couple of students who really stood out as great camera operators, so we’ve been giving them more responsibility in that area. We’ve had other students who have really stepped up as excellent interviewers who are really good at doing research, and we’ve encouraged them to pursue that.”

The students aren’t just part of the film’s production team: They have also become an integral part of the documentary’s storyline.

“We’ve realized that the process of how this film is being made, and the perspectives that our students have, are really interesting,” Collins says. “We’ve been working to include these aspects in the film itself by doing more behind the scenes and encouraging students to occasionally be in front of the camera—which allows audiences to learn all of this information through their eyes.”

Bringing research to life

Greenacres documentary filmmakers record an interview with a Greenacres Foundation staff member.

In April, the entire documentary team spent three days at the Greenacres Foundation in Cincinnati, Ohio. During the visit, students had the opportunity to tour the foundation’s facilities and meet with farmers and researchers—including Dr. Stephan Van Vliet of Utah State University.

“Dr. Van Vliet has been partnering with Greenacres on a study about the nutritional quality of food and how that’s connected to farming practices—work that is very fundamental to what we’re exploring in the film,” Collins says. “Our students had heard about his research through other folks at Greenacres, but it was really helpful for them to hear it directly from Dr. Van Vliet. We spent about three hours with him; we thought that it was going to be a very long time for high school students to engage with rigorous, university-level study, but we actually went over time because the students had so many questions.”

Students also had the chance to gain hands-on experience with several agricultural processes.

“The students were able to learn how to do some broadcast seeding and how to harvest kale. They did some weeding, and they got to spend time up close with cows who were getting vaccines,” Collins says. “They’ve been learning all these concepts in class and through field trips in northern Michigan, but being at Greenacres just brought so many concepts together and solidified them in a way that was really helpful.”

Making the most of the summer

As the spring semester draws to a close, Collins and her colleagues are making plans to maintain the film’s momentum over the summer break.

“We’re going to do some production over the summer; it’s such an important part of the growing cycle, and we want to make sure that we’re not going to miss it,” Collins says. “The Interlochen sustainability team is a big part of our story. They’re super active in the summer—working with Camp, ramping up for the harvest season—so we have plans to document all of that.”

Students will continue studying regenerative agriculture and food systems through a summer homework assignment.

“We’re encouraging students to engage with food systems with their families and use their homes as a space to reflect on how their food system compares to the one they’re connected to up here in northern Michigan,” Collins says. “The hope is that those ideas will continue to be cultivated, and that students will come back fully engaged with the production in the fall semester.”

While Collins says the documentary is still evolving, they are eager to invite audiences into the students’ journey.

“There are a lot of unknowns that we’re still exploring,” Collins says. “For me personally, it’s been interesting and exciting to be surprised by the students themselves and be on the lookout for those moments where they are experiencing the joy of discovery. I hope we can capture and share that joy.”

Meet the Greenacres documentary team (Stories 625442)

melissa.birdsey — Fri, 15 Sep 2023 15:08:13 +0000

Meet the Greenacres documentary team (Stories 625442) melissa.birdsey Fri, 09/15/2023 - 11:08 Meet the Greenacres documentary teamThree new Film & New Media instructors will teach classes and guide students as they partner with the Greenacres Foundation to create a feature-length documentary on regenerative agriculture practices.

L-R: Claire Collins, Producer - Greenacres Documentary Project; Nathan Buck, Instructor of Film & New Media; and Lydia Marie Hicks, Cinematographer - Greenacres Documentary Project.

September 15, 2023

When Claire Collins first learned about Interlochen Arts Academy’s partnership with the Greenacres Foundation, the collaboration seemed almost too good to be true.

“Rooting such an ambitious film project in an interdisciplinary, arts-based community and exploring regeneration and farming—I thought, ‘seriously? Is this for real?’” Collins said. “It felt like a manifestation of hopes I hadn’t dared say aloud before.”

Collins is one of three professional filmmakers who have joined the Film & New Media faculty this fall to collaborate on the Greenacres project, a multi-year effort to create a feature-length documentary on the impact of regenerative agriculture. Collins—who serves as the film’s producer—fellow new faculty Nathan Buck and Lydia Marie Hicks, and other Film & New Media instructors will work closely with students to instill the competencies necessary for the project’s success and guide the film’s development.

“This truly feels like a moment, and so many things are confirming it,” Hicks said. “I can’t wait to explore this adventure with everyone.”

Read on to learn more about Buck, Collins, and Hicks and hear their perspectives on the Greenacres Documentary project.

Nathan Buck, Instructor of Film & New Media

Nathan Buck (he/him) is director, writer, editor, and producer with 25 years of filmmaking experience on four continents. He began working in the film industry in the late ‘90s in London, then spent 15 years in New York. Since 2018, he has been based in Berlin.

Buck recently completed his first narrative feature, Under Spanish Skies, which stars Amr Waked (Syriana, Ramy) and Nahéma Ricci (Antigone - Best Canadian Feature, Toronto International Film Festival, 2019). The film was shot in Spain and premiered in 2022 at the Boston International Film Festival, where it won the Indie Spirit Award for Excellence in Filmmaking. Under Spanish Skies went on to win Best Indie Feature at the Montreal Independent Film Festival and Best Drama Feature at the 2023 Berlin Independent Film Festival; it has been screened at several other festivals and received additional awards.

Buck was honored to be Filmmaker-in-Residence at Interlochen in 2015 and is delighted to be returning as a full-time faculty member and creative leader of the Greenacres documentary project. This will be his second feature-length documentary; he also produced and directed the arts documentary Real Gone! Dance, which premiered at the American Dance Festival in North Carolina in 2009. He is a graduate of Northwestern University, where he majored in Performance Studies.

Industrial agriculture has been largely under-reported as a leading cause of climate change and has led to degradation and destruction of the world’s soil. Regenerative farming, which is essentially about replenishing the soil by synthesizing time-tested farming practices with modern technology, is one of the solutions to this crisis. I can think of no better collaborators on this film than these Interlochen students, who are so passionate about climate change and will be the future custodians of our planet.

Claire Collins, Producer - Greenacres Documentary Project

Claire Hannah Collins (they/she) is a filmmaker born in Hong Kong and raised in Amman, Jordan. In middle school, they began using a camera to try to make sense of the disparate cultures that made up their community. After studying photo and video journalism at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, they spent five years on the video team at the Los Angeles Times before leaving to work as an independent director and producer. Their work focuses on community efforts to create a more free and equitable world. Collins is absolutely thrilled to be joining the Interlochen community and making art together.

I’m honored to be included in this team and thrilled to be learning together. My goal is to develop a creative process that is regenerative for our students, faculty, and story partners in this documentary.

Lydia Marie Hicks, Cinematographer - Greenacres Documentary Project

Lydia Marie Hicks (she/they) is a professional filmmaker and multimedia artist known for her video and place-based installation Black in the Water (2018) and her experimental documentary Rediscovering the Scientist (2016). She holds a Master of Fine Arts in Film/Video from The California Institute of the Arts, and a Bachelor of Science in Zoology from Humboldt State University.

Hicks’ projects seek to explode identity-based historical narratives and promote healing by historicizing alternate concepts of western culture and celebrating the overlooked and undervalued contributions of marginalized groups. Her work has been featured on National Geographic and premiered at Sundance Film Festival. She has been supported by the EarthFire Institute, WildSumaco Biological Station, Interlochen Arts Academy, Guild Hall, and the Fine Arts Work Center in Provincetown.

This truly feels like a moment, and so many things are confirming it. I’m currently fascinated with documenting the persistence of life in alignment with the Black radical tradition just an hour from here in Black Eden (Idlewild, Michigan). Ancient knowledge persists through art. I’m so grateful to be creating with the Interlochen community once again. Thank you to everyone who has already contacted us wishing to support this project in different ways. I can’t wait to explore this adventure with everyone.

Director of Dining Services Paul Hickman brings energy, fresh options to Interlochen’s cafeteria (News Articles 541092)

marycaroline.whims@interlochen.org — Thu, 16 Mar 2023 18:43:48 +0000

Director of Dining Services Paul Hickman brings energy, fresh options to Interlochen’s cafeteria (News Articles 541092) marycaroline.w… Thu, 03/16/2023 - 14:43 Director of Dining Services Paul Hickman brings energy, fresh options to Interlochen’s cafeteriaHickman plans to start a bowl station, incorporate student recipes, and bring in additional international cuisine.

Paul Hickman, Director of Dining Services

March 16, 2023

Food has been a lifelong love affair for Paul Hickman. It was only natural that he’d seek out a career in the culinary world, exploring everything from catering to gourmet food manufacturing. Now, his diverse background allows him to bring leadership and unique ideas to Interlochen’s cafeteria.

A lifelong love affair with food

Hickman’s interest in the culinary arts started early, and he credits his mother for inspiring him.

“I’ve been cooking since I was a kid. My mom made absolutely everything from scratch,” Hickman remembers. “We actually thought it was a treat when we were little kids to order a pizza or get pizza out of a box, because we didn't get that!”

Hickman maintained his passion for food into college, where he ended up joining forces with his roommates, who also enjoyed experimenting in the kitchen.

“To challenge ourselves, we would go buy pheasant or something—whatever we could find that was kind of weird. We’d make dishes out of it.”

After honing his skills in college, Hickman opened his own restaurant, which he ran for five years. He also owned a catering business, revamped the dining program in a medical center, and produced and sold an award-winning barbecue sauce. His most recent position was with Food for Thought, an artisanal food manufacturer based in Traverse City.

Hickman says his background gives him a sense of ownership and responsibility in everything he does, as well as insight into many aspects of the food industry.

“I think I bring more of a big picture perspective, versus someone who has always been just a chef or has always been just a front-end manager, because that's what they're going to concentrate on,” he says.

Cooking for Interlochen

Being Director of Dining Services at Interlochen comes with several unusual challenges. The position requires Hickman to not only oversee food preparation for an arts boarding school, but also triple the number of meals served every summer when campers arrive.

As a small business owner myself, I think buying local is huge, because you're supporting people in your area. My goal is to get all of our vegetables grown in Michigan.

Paul Hickman

Despite the high quantity Hickman oversees, he pays attention to detail, and is committed to serving the highest quality of food possible.

“As a small business owner myself, I think buying local is huge, because you're supporting people in your area,” he says. “My goal is to get all of our vegetables grown in Michigan.”

Hickman also works with individuals with dietary concerns and restrictions. Whether students have medical or cultural concerns, he makes himself available to care for their needs.

“I just want to make sure that if there is a dietary restriction, we accommodate it. We will do whatever we can and there's nothing we can't figure out,” he says.

Paul Hickman poses with members of the Dining Services team.

Fresh innovations

Hickman is excited to broaden the range of options available with an array of new international flavors and even a bowl station.

“We'll have pho, poke bowls, and even burrito bowls. It's really popular, especially among students. There are some restaurants in Portland that have just blown up and all they do is serve bowls in different styles,” he says.

He’s also looking forward to getting more feedback from students, and invites anyone with ideas or input to email him at dining@interlochen.org.

“Eventually we're going to have a web page where we ask for recipes from different students. Tell us your favorite recipe; we want to duplicate it. If it’s good, we’ll steal it and put it in our rotation,” he says.

Hickman’s efforts are driven by his desire to “make people happy with good food” and help students have a great experience at Interlochen.

“It's their home for the time that they're here. So I want to ensure that they get the same quality they get at home, or even better, and that they get exposed to different cuisines and different foods. Food should be fun, so I want to make sure it's that way here.”

Learn more about Dining Services at Interlochen.

Arts and agriculture come together in new documentary film produced by Interlochen Arts Academy students and Greenacres Foundation (News Articles 514456)

marycaroline.whims@interlochen.org — Wed, 15 Feb 2023 18:38:57 +0000

Arts and agriculture come together in new documentary film produced by Interlochen Arts Academy students and Greenacres Foundation (News Articles 514456) marycaroline.w… Wed, 02/15/2023 - 13:38 Arts and agriculture come together in new documentary film produced by Interlochen Arts Academy students and Greenacres FoundationThe film will showcase the power of regenerative farming practices and its connection with human nutrition and the environment. February 15, 2023

Greenacres Foundation and Interlochen Center for the Arts are proud to announce their partnership on a new film project exploring the impact of regenerative agriculture. The film will be produced by Interlochen Arts Academy’s Film & New Media students, and will feature interviews with farmers and scientists as well as data from agricultural research conducted by Greenacres and its partners.

"It is great to have a partner to bring to life the research we’ve done," said Greenacres President Carter Randolph. "Partnering with Interlochen Center for the Arts will allow us to reach a wider audience and bring attention to the importance of regenerative agriculture through impactful storytelling. There are so many truths in the research and science, and it's time to make it available in a format that resonates with consumers.”

Interlochen Film and New Media students will do just that.

“The film aspires to tell a human, accessible story that will emotionally connect with, inspire and educate audiences, empowering them with knowledge to act,” said Interlochen Center for the Arts Director of Film and New Media Michael Mittelstaedt. “Our students will be integral to the creation of this film under the guidance of our faculty and resident artists. Their voice is an important one in these issues, and this will be one of the first times their perspective is shared with the world.”

As part of the educational experience, Interlochen students will enroll in a new hands-on science class utilizing Interlochen’s on-campus organic farm and the RB Annis Botanical Lab. The class, entitled Biology: Regenerative Agriculture, explores the complexities of regenerative agriculture through the lens of documentary film study.

“It's important for students to not only understand the philosophy and science behind regenerative agriculture. Students learn on such a deeper level when they actually get to see it in practice and actively participate in the process,” said Interlochen Director of Sustainability Emily Umbarger.

Resident artists in cinematography, post-production, and visual storytelling will join the students as they put together the documentary film.

"We are thrilled to join with Greenacres Foundation to produce this film and bring broader attention to the critical benefits of regenerative agriculture," said Interlochen Center for the Arts President Trey Devey. "This partnership provides unparalleled opportunities for our students to work across artistic disciplines, engage with professional artists, explore new facets of sustainability, and create meaningful, world-changing art.”

In 2016, Interlochen’s Board of Trustees adopted a sustainability resolution, pledging to “create an environmentally friendly and sustainable campus” at Interlochen Center for the Arts. In the six years since, the organization has constructed a botanical lab and community garden; initiated campus-wide recycling and composting programs; installed water-saving appliances and restroom fixtures; established sustainability education programs for Interlochen students and members of the local community; and donated thousands of pounds of organic fruits and vegetables to the local food pantry at Redeemer Lutheran Church. In 2019, the United States Department of Education designated Interlochen Center for the Arts a Green Ribbon School in recognition of the organization’s efforts to reduce its environmental impact, improve the health and wellness of its students and staff, and provide effective environmental and sustainability education. Later this year, Interlochen will also release its first-ever formalized climate action plan, which will outline further steps toward mitigating climate change and reducing the institution’s carbon footprint.

The film is set to begin production this fall, with a goal of premiering at national film festivals. It will then be made available to the public through a streaming platform and community screenings.

About Interlochen Center for the Arts
The nonprofit Interlochen Center for the Arts is a recipient of the National Medal of Arts and the only organization in the world that brings together a 3,000-student summer camp program; a 500-student fine arts boarding high school; opportunities for hundreds of adults to engage in fulfilling artistic and creative programs; two 24-hour listener-supported public radio services (classical music and news); more than 600 arts presentations annually by students, faculty and world-renowned guest artists; and a global alumni base spanning nine decades, including leaders in the arts and all other endeavors. For information, visit Interlochen online at www.interlochen.org.

About Greenacres Foundation
Greenacres Foundation is an Ohio-based nonprofit and underwriter of the project. The foundation’s work focuses on conservation and farm sustainability with an emphasis on encouraging appreciation of nature by providing the public, particularly children, opportunities to study plant and animal life in their natural settings. For more information, visit green-acres.org.

Interlochen Center for the Arts to power 30% of campus operations with Michigan-sourced renewable energy (News Articles 478477)

melissa.birdsey — Wed, 11 Jan 2023 15:35:05 +0000

Interlochen Center for the Arts to power 30% of campus operations with Michigan-sourced renewable energy (News Articles 478477) melissa.birdsey Wed, 01/11/2023 - 10:35 Interlochen Center for the Arts to power 30% of campus operations with Michigan-sourced renewable energyThe arts education and presentation organization will participate in the Consumers Energy Large Customer Renewable Energy Program as part of its ongoing efforts to create a greener, more sustainable community.
January 11, 2023

Interlochen Center for the Arts has pledged to power nearly one-third of its campus operations with clean energy through the Consumers Energy Large Customer Renewable Energy Program.

The ten-year commitment is part of the organization’s ongoing efforts to create a greener, more sustainable community. Through the program, 30% of Interlochen’s annual energy usage will be sourced from Consumers Energy’s Michigan-based renewable energy projects. Interlochen’s action is the catalyst for Consumers Energy to develop a new solar project, and their subscription will begin once the project is operating.

“We’re thrilled to bring clean, renewable energy to our campus,” said Trey Devey, President of Interlochen Center for the Arts. “Since our founding, Interlochen has been committed to protecting and preserving the natural beauty of our lakes and forests. Powering our campus with Michigan-made clean energy is an important next step in our sustainability journey, and we’re proud to be a part of Consumers Energy's Renewable Energy Program in their efforts to create green power for all of Michigan.”

“Consumers Energy is excited to provide clean energy for Interlochen—another visible commitment from a leading Michigan institution,” said Lauren Snyder, Consumers Energy’s vice president of customer experience. “We are proud to see Michigan businesses lead by making clean energy pledges that will boost our state’s prosperity and protect the planet.”

Michigan’s largest energy provider, Consumers Energy provides energy to 6.8 million of Michigan’s 10 million residents. As part of its industry-leading Clean Energy Plan, Consumers Energy plans to close all of its coal-fired power plants by 2025 and become carbon neutral by 2040. Its Renewable Energy Program offers businesses a flexible solution to achieve their sustainability goals while advancing the greening of Michigan’s power grid and supporting Michigan jobs by building and operating renewable energy resources.

OnHappenings

Interlochen kicks off summer Garden Lecture Series (News Articles 349858)

marycaroline.whims@interlochen.org — Wed, 08 Jun 2022 14:02:31 +0000

Interlochen kicks off summer Garden Lecture Series (News Articles 349858) marycaroline.w… Wed, 06/08/2022 - 10:02 Interlochen kicks off summer Garden Lecture SeriesSixteen new classes focus on beekeeping, breadmaking, cooking, painting, and more. June 8, 2022

Each summer, Interlochen Center for the Arts invites the local community to participate in hands-on creative classes exploring the relationship between humans and the environment. This year is no exception, with Interlochen’s Sustainability Department and the College of Creative Arts teaming up to present sixteen events on Interlochen’s campus.

We spoke with Emily Umbarger, Interlochen’s sustainability manager, about this year’s class selection and the thriving community connections that form as a result of the program. Umbarger, who oversees the Garden Lecture Series, builds a new list of classes each summer based on local interest. “Every year we're expanding and keeping it relevant. We're trying to meet the needs and interests of the people who are attending our classes.”

This year’s classes divide into four series. Umbarger is especially thrilled to present the program’s newest series, Bee Kind in the Garden. “I'm really excited about it because I am a beekeeper and Interlochen has a three-beehive apiary,” she says. Guests will have the opportunity to learn about Michigan’s bee species and taste different types of honey. Art in the Garden classes explore the intersection between art and sustainability, inviting guests to make cyanotype sun prints, paint with natural materials, or discuss classical music and climate change. The Lectures in the Garden series includes a broad variety of sustainability-related events. Guests can learn to keep compost piles, start a native pollinator garden, hunt for mushrooms, or identify Michigan rocks. And the popular Chefs in the Garden series brings chefs to Interlochen for an evening of regionally-inspired cuisine. “They're all taught by local people about our local ecology, using local ingredients,” says Umbarger. Individual classes focus on pastas, desserts, focaccia bread, and one-bowl meals.

Each year, the Garden Lectures draw a diverse and enthusiastic crowd of attendees. Umbarger says that learners of all ages—from high school students to retirees—are welcome to attend, meet new friends, and learn new skills. “I love it if they can walk away with a skill that they didn't have before. Maybe it will turn into a passion or a hobby,” she says. Umbarger hopes the program will help foster stronger relationships between people and the planet, a goal that Interlochen’s Sustainability Department has been working toward since its founding. The department works alongside many other organizations in the local community, donating produce to food pantries and helping other schools develop gardens of their own.

Umbarger speaks warmly about her work. “It is such an incredible honor for me to bring together this shared community of people who love art and nature,” she says. “Everyone is welcome—no experience necessary.”

The Garden Lecture Series programs are Wednesdays, June 15 through September 21, from 6 p.m to 8 p.m. at the R.B. Annis Botanical Lab on the campus of Interlochen Center for the Arts, directly in front of the Interlochen Public Radio building. All lectures require preregistration. For more information or to sign up, please visit the Garden Lecture Series page.

OnCommunityHappenings

Interlochen sustainability team receives grant from the Michigan Alliance for Environmental and Outdoor Education (News Articles 267541)

skyelar.kavanagh@interlochen.org — Thu, 07 Apr 2022 19:57:47 +0000

Interlochen sustainability team receives grant from the Michigan Alliance for Environmental and Outdoor Education (News Articles 267541) skyelar.kavana… Thu, 04/07/2022 - 15:57 Interlochen sustainability team receives grant from the Michigan Alliance for Environmental and Outdoor EducationDylan Kulik, sustainability farm manager at Interlochen, developed a plant cultivation project for Arts Academy students.

Interlochen students working on a hands-on cultivation project

April 9, 2022

Dylan Kulik, sustainability farm manager at Interlochen, recently received a $500 grant from the Michigan Alliance for Environmental and Outdoor Education to develop a plant cultivation project for Arts Academy students.

“The Plant Nutrient Experimentation Project is an opportunity for students to have a hands-on cultivation experience through a scientific, experimental lens,” Kulik said. Students in groups of three were assigned different nutrient conditions in which they grow spinach plants and compare cultivation results, discovering how abundances or shortages of certain soil nutrients affect plant growth.

“My intention for this project is to have students think about a ‘full diet’ of nutrients that plants can access in soil, just like we humans need a full diet to stay happy and healthy,” Kulik explained. “All of the students in Agricultural Science this spring will be able to learn in a hands-on setting, experimenting with live plants, different organic nutrient substances, and thinking about how ‘full diets’ in soils, for plants, and for us as consumers, ultimately have a significant impact on our health and wellbeing.”

Since 2016, when Interlochen's Board of Trustees pledged to create an environmentally friendly and sustainable campus, Interlochen has implemented a variety of sustainability initiatives. The R.B. Annis Botanical Lab and Community Garden, which opened in 2017, has expanded over the years to encompass an 800-square-foot botanical laboratory and greenhouse powered by solar and heated with geothermal energy; three 800-square foot hoop houses focused on research and experimentation; a chicken coop; an aquaponics unit; an educational apiary with four beehives; a student-designed and installed fruit yard with an orchard, brambles, and a vineyard; and an outdoor community kitchen with a stone bread oven.

Under the leadership of Interlochen Director of Sustainability Emily Umbarger, the complex has been designated Certified Naturally Grown, a Monarch Waystation, a National Wildlife Federation Certified Schoolyard Habitat, and a Michigan Green School. It has also received several certifications from the Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program.

Umbarger has collaborated with colleagues across campus on several sustainability efforts, including the construction of a 100-foot composting facility and the facilitation of single-stream recycling; zero-waste dining products; water-bottle filling stations; low-flow showerheads, toilets, and sinks; and a high-efficiency dishwashing system.

In 2019, Interlochen Arts Academy was the only school in the state of Michigan to receive the U.S. Department of Education's Green Ribbon School Award, which recognizes institutions that reduce their environmental impact, improve the health of their community members, and provide effective environmental and sustainability education.