Cal State Fullerton’s U-ACRE Project, a community-based urban agriculture research effort affiliated with the University’s Center for Sustainability, has received a Best Practice award in “Sustainability in Academics: Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences.” The award will be presented during the California Higher Education Sustainability Conference June 26-29 at UC Santa Barbara.
“Since 2011, U-ACRE has provided educational opportunities for Cal State Fullerton students through high-impact experiences while making a difference through community engagement. It is an honor to receive this recognition,” said Sara Johnson, professor of anthropology and project director of U-ACRE. The educator will be a presenter at the statewide conference.
The project is currently funded by a four-year, Hispanic-Serving Institution grant from the USDA National Institute for Food and Agriculture expected to total $1 million.
U-ACRE offers hands-on community-based research experience for undergraduates, as well as community outreach in areas of food security and sustainability. The program has a number of community partners, including the Fullerton Arboretum, Ladera Vista Junior High School of the Arts, Hart Community Homes, Inc./Monkey Business Café, Future Foods Farms, the Orange County Food Access Coalition, and the American Heart Association Teaching Gardens program in Santa Ana.
The project supports students and faculty from Cal State Fullerton, Santa Ana College, Fullerton College and UC Santa Barbara. U-ACRE and its partners have received the Washington Center Higher Education Civic Engagement award in 2014 and a Golden Bell award from the California School Board Association in 2016.