Bustos hears about MC food security program

 MONMOUTH — Conceived in 2013, the interdisciplinary food security program is a relatively new incorporation to Monmouth College's tradition of splicing different areas of study together in order achieve a unified goal.

The program follows a number of different avenues in order to answer the overarching question, "Will the Midwest hold the key to solving hunger?"

The interdisciplinary food security program lives up to its name in that its faculty members stem from three different academic realms: economics, biology and anthropology. While the three disciplines share few similarities, when working in conjunction, they answer the questions and solve the problems of the program.

"This started about a year ago, when the building was just about to open. It is a new, bold initiative to match the vision of this building and to help take the school forward," said Dean of Faculty David Timmerman, in reference to MC's new Center for Science and Business. "The program also matches our liberal arts approach through the integration of different areas of study."

With Congress currently in recess, U.S. Rep. Cheri Bustos, D-East Moline, recently began a one-week tour geared toward observing her constituents in the more rural areas of District 17.

Bustos made two stops in the area Thursday: first in Henderson County and later in Warren County.

"I'm visiting businesses, colleges and farms to see what people are doing to earn a living," Bustos said. "The main goal is to make sure I feel the pulse of the district whenever I'm home. I've been traveling thousands of miles and meeting with thousands of people."

Bustos made a brief appearance at MC to witness first-hand the college's food security program. Although she was only at the college for a little over an hour, the congresswoman was able to view the independent, yet intertwined projects of the program — each striving toward a different aspect of food sustainability.

"Being here to see the intersection of science and business is an innovative way of learning," Bustos said. "By bringing two disciplines together, they will be able to apply this new way of thinking later, when they go out into the world."

The interdisciplinary food security program is an offshoot of a slightly more time-tested institution at Monmouth College; the SOFIA program.

In 2010, Monmouth College founded a selective three-week honors-style summer program for not only returning but also incoming students as well. An immediate success, this concept was named SOFIA, meaning Summer Opportunities for Intellectual Activities, and became a fixture at the college.

"We wanted to have sharp students come in and have interactions with a professor on a great topic," Timmerman said. "We've seen these students go on to become leaders in their disciplines. It involves a connection to the community and pride in being from the Midwest. We wanted to do something true to that."

The SOFIA program has grown from 40 students in its first year to 90 students in the current session.

Monmouth SHELF, one of the three divisions of the interdisciplinary food security program, studies the connection between local production, consumption and distribution of a variety of foods.

"SHELF refers to 'Sharing the harvest of local foods.' It involves a nice combination of business and science." said Julie Rothbardt, a political economics and commerce professor. "It also allows the students to work on a project that might be outside of their major. It immerses talented incoming freshmen in academic activity, but really, we just want them to have fun with it."

Monmouth SHELF is less of a Monmouth College endeavor than it is a joint community improvement assignment. The students involved with the project, most of whom will become freshmen when the school year begins, are working on techniques such as indoor sustainable gardening and preservation canning.

The fruits of their labors are then in turn donated to the First Street Armoury to fund one of its many philanthropic endeavors; Operation Backpack.

"We're working with the Armoury to help them create a sustainable garden in one of their homes," said Neal Hosper, a junior business major. "Our long-term vision is to grow enough of a surplus of vegetables to feed all the local school kids in Operation Backpack. Over 80 percent of the students in Warren County qualify for it."