Frostburg State University
Foodways , Wildcrafting, and Natural Products: Creating Sustainable Systems in Western Maryland
ATP students worked closely with community partners Mountain City Traditional Arts, the Frostburg Farmers Market (a program of Frostburg First), and Frostburg's Main Street Development Program to foster a stronger appreciation for and raise awareness of sustainable foodways, wildcrafting, and natural products in western Maryland. Students developed a workshop and presentation series highlighting sustainable practices in the region and will be engaged in the documentation of traditional sustainable practices. Working in pairs, students interviewed and documented area artisans, wildcrafters, and farmers. Using those documentary materials, students co-produced a film highlighting regional practices to premier at Frostburg State University's "Focus Frostburg" event in April. Broken into segments, the film was published through the Appalachian Independent, www.appindie.org ; the Mountain City Traditional Arts Blog; and on YouTube. Finally, students were responsible for developing a pilot program portfolio for Frostburg's Farmers Market featuring hands-on demonstrations and educational materials for children highlighting regional nature-based traditions and foodways. The programs themselves will be launched through a partnership of Mountain City Traditional Arts and the Frostburg Farmers Market in the summer of 2014. If successful, the program could provide a model for area farmers' markets.
Contact Information:
Kara Rogers Thomas, Ph.D.
Frostburg State University
101 Braddock Rd.
Frostburg, MD 21532-1099
Attn: Sociology/Guild Center
Telephone: (301) 687-3124
Fax: (301) 687-4581
E-Mail: krogersthomas@frostburg,edu
Previous Conference Participation: 2012 2011 2010 2009