Like a leaf falling from a tree, we as humans can also recycle nutrients and utilize valuable regenerative practices.

When a tree looses its leaves they fall to the earth, stacking functions.  With no leaves, the tree is able to survive the cold winters in a temperate climate.  The leaves bed the forest floor and create a habitat for animals, they build topsoil, and act as an erosion barrier.  At the University of Michigan, clubs recycle leadership board positions and the accompanying skills.  This is a necessary process for the sustainability of these student organizations as the average U of M student is transient: only residing within the institutional walls for 3-5 years at a time.

Student Food Groups on Campus Complied by the University of Michigan Sustainable Food Program

Ann Arbor Student Food Co.

The Ann Arbor Student Food Co. hopes to bring healthy wholesome food to the University of Michigan community and promote discussion and food education.

For more information, please email studentfoodco@umich.edu, and check out the calendar to see when they’ll be open for business, or check out the Student Food Co Blog, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

Read more: Ann Arbor Student Food Co.

Consortium on Agriculture, Food and the Environment

CAFE’s mission, as part of UMSFP, is to advance professional and academic development, catalyze thoughtful dialogue, and foster collaboration and leadership on sustainability of food systems among students and the greater global community.

If you want to learn more about what CAFE is up to, send questions to  cafe.core@umich.edu

Read more: Consortium on Agriculture, Food and the Environment

Cultivating Community

Cultivating Community exists to empower and educate University of Michigan students to become leaders in the area of community food systems through hands-on organic gardening, community outreach, and volunteer activities.

For more information or to be added to our CTools site, please email  mbgna.cc@umich.edu or check out the Cultivating Community Blog, Tumblr, or Website and Calendar of Events.

Read more: Cultivating Community

Food Recovery Network

The Food Recovery Network’s goal is to recover leftover food from University of Michigan dining halls, divert it from the waste stream to Food Gatherers, the Washtenaw County food bank, where it can be served to those who need it most.

To volunteer or for more information, please email frnatmichigan@gmail.com, or check out FRN on Facebook.

Read more: Food Recovery Network

Friends of the Campus Farm

FCF empowers students to create a healthy future through sustainable food education and practice at the newly established campus farm and more broadly by working with the UM Sustainable Food Program.

To learn more about what we’re doing send an email to farm.core@umich.edu or join our listserve on MCommunity or check out pictures at the UMSFP Facebook Page

Read more: Friends of the Campus Farm

Michigan Sustainable Foods Initiative

MSFI supports a vision to create a student body that understands the connection between good food and a healthy environment and a campus that supports the sustainable food movement by sourcing from local farmers and producers.

The organizations mission is to cultivate awareness of sustainable food on campus through education and service, to empower students to discuss and act on food-related issues, and to bring together students to celebrate good food.

For more information, contact:  msfi-board@umich.edu or check out MSFI on Facebook.

Also check out MSFI’s blog here: http://michigansustainablefoodsinitiative.blogspot.com

Read more: Michigan Sustainable Foods Initiative

Outdoor Adventures Garden

The mission of the Outdoor Adventures Garden is to educate students and community members about sustainable food and living through providing environmentally conscious food for university sponsored trips into the outdoors.

To learn more or become a part of this initiative, please email Jesse Antuma

Read more: Outdoor Adventures Garden

Student Advocates for Nutrition

SAN is comprised of a group of students concerned about healthy eating and nutrition, sustainable food systems, and cultivating a community garden within the courtyard of the School of Public Health (Building 1).

To get involved e-mail  students4nutrition@gmail.com to be put on the mailing list

Read more: Student Advocates for Nutrition

UMBees

The goal of this group is to promote, protect, and propagate honeybees!

Beekeepers and newBees of all experience levels are welcome to join our group. There are plenty of important roles in our colony. If you want to learn more about what UMBees is up to, send an email with all of your questions to  umichbeekeeping@gmail.com or check out UMBees on Facebook!

Read more: UMBees

“By valuing and making use of all the resources that are available to us, nothing goes to waste.

The icon of the worm represents one of the most effective recyclers of organic materials, consuming plant and animal ‘waste’ into valuable plant food. The proverb “a stitch in time saves nine” reminds us that timely maintenance prevents waste, while “waste not, want not” reminds us that it’s easy to be wasteful in times of abundance, but this waste can be a cause of hardship later.” -Holmgren’s Permaculture Principles