April 14, 2008

Food for thought: Environment, origins topics at public forum

Food, Communities and Sustainability: A Public Square Forum Initiative is 1-9 p.m. at the Wells Community Center, 638 North St., Lafayette. The event, which is free and open to the public, will feature two panel discussions, a reception and a film screening of "King Corn."

The "Food and Economic Development in Our Local Communities" panel is 1-2:15 p.m. The moderator is Nick Lilovich, president of the Purdue Student Pugwash organization. The panelists are Dennis Carson, redevelopment director for Lafayette and director of Downtown Development Council; Ivan Brumbaugh, representing Main Street Cheese in Lafayette; and Gabriele Mayer, representing Bistro 501 in Lafayette.

The "Farming and Sustainable Development" panel is 2:30-3:45 p.m. The moderator is Jessica Holsinger, vice president of the Purdue Student Pugwash organization. The panelists are Steve Bonney, president and director of Sustainable Earth; Abby Abbott-Rider, representing Thistle Byre Farm; David and Marilyn Harmon, owners of Harmon's Organic Gardens; Barb Middleton, owner of Longhouse Farms; and Cody Hall, representing Lafayette City Food Co-op Project.

Just Cause Catering from Indianapolis will cater a reception from 3:45-5 p.m.

The screening for "King Corn" is 7-9 p.m. in Matthews Hall, Room 210. The feature documentary is about the corn industry and the role corn syrup plays in the American diet.

"Purdue's engagement programs often highlight how the university supplies knowledge to the community, but this is a stellar example of how people in the community are sharing their knowledge through a forum that brings Purdue and the community together," says Susan Curtis, associate dean of interdisciplinary programs and engagement.

The forum is sponsored by PLACE, Purdue Liberal Arts Community Engagement. The Purdue Liberal Arts Community Engagement program started in January 2007 and is aimed at increasing its faculty's community engagement, as well as examining and solving social issues that affect citizens throughout the state.

The event is organized by Anne Knupfer, professor of educational studies and an affiliate professor of history, American studies, and women's studies; Nadine Dolby, associate professor of curriculum studies and an affiliate professor in American studies; and Whitney Walton, professor of history and an affiliate professor in American studies.

Writer: Amy Patterson Neubert, (765) 494-9723, apatterson@purdue.edu

Sources: Anne Knupfer, knupfer@purdue.edu

Nadine Dolby, (765) 496-2963, ndolby@purdue.edu

Whitney Walton, (765) 494-9435, awhitney@purdue.edu

Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu

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