In hopes to develop a better education system in Haiti, The Open Society Foundation has sponsored Haitian professors to visit EARTH University to study their education model. EARTH professors will train these Haitians in developing a new academic model for them to implement at their own university.

Learn about other projects the OSI Foundation has sponsored for Haitian and African students to study at EARTH: http://bit.ly/ajHgAt.

Volunteers from Hewlett-Packard joined EARTH professors and students to plant over 3,000 trees on Saturday.

The event signified their commitment to carbon neutrality, an extension to a project began in 2008, where EARTH and HP committed themselves to a three-year reforestation project in Costa Rica.

Learn more about the project in HP’s brief Global Citizenship Report: http://www.hp.com/hpinfo/globalcitizenship/08gcreport/employees/volunteerism.html

On Friday, the Atlanta INtown Paper featured an article about EARTH University and its unique projects.  The publication applauded EARTH for its work in “providing education for deserving young people who lack the financial resources to attend college,” and explained the benefits of EARTH’s internship programs.

The article also discusses the relationship between Georgians and EARTH University. The EARTH University Foundation, which supports “the education vision of EARTH through gifts, contributions…and other initiatives,” was formed in Buckhead, Georgia in 1989, and remains there today.  In November, the Foundation will host a trail race to benefit EARTH.  The Foundation also hosts and assists in other local events, such as organic potluck dinners, to benefit EARTH.

EARTH’s presence in the Atlanta area is ever-growing.  Right now, there are two EARTH grads working at Bland Farms in Glennville, Georgia, overseeing the company’s “sustainable farming and practices and green initiatives.”  Also, three EARTH students are interning in different parts of Georgia. See the article in the Atlanta INtown for more information about what these students are doing: http://bit.ly/cKxrT9.

For the second time this year, EARTH University celebrates “Día sin Autos” or Day Without Cars.  Today, students and staff will walk, bike, or use electric transportation to get to class or the office in order to decrease EARTH’s CO2 output.

This event is just one of the many ways EARTH promotes alternative modes of transportation and contributes to improving the quality of our air and of our environment overall.

What else has EARTH done to promote carbon neutrality?

• On April 22, 2010 (Earth Day), Earth replaced campus automobiles with a fleet of 22 electric vehicles.
• EARTH planned and promoted the event, EARTH Plants the Future, where on June 5, 2010, more than 1.19 million trees were planted in 34 different countries across the globe. Learn more http://bit.ly/dnbuxC.

Read more about EARTH’s commitment to carbon neutrality beginning in September 2007: http://bit.ly/9FHxfZ.

As most of you know, EARTH University is home to students from over 25 different countries across the globe, many of which are from very poor areas of the world.  In December, several EARTH students will be graduating, but won’t be able to share that special moment with their families since they can not afford a plane ticket.  For this reason, EARTH’s fourth-year students have been raising money for those who’s parents do not otherwise have the  means to bring their families to the ceremony.

“Once we have completed our studies at EARTH, we want to share that special moment of our graduation with our relatives, the people that raised us and gave us courage,” said fourth-year student Johanny.

EARTH students of the Class of 2010 have been working hard to gather funds to support their colleagues.  So far, a committee of fourth-year students have organized student parties among other efforts to collect money.  One of the biggest events they hosted was a fair on campus where students could share typical food, dance, and other cultural aspects from their home countries.  Over 5,000 visitors came from surrounding towns to enjoy the festivities and support EARTH that day.

The students have also created a Facebook page for the cause: http://www.causes.com/causes/503287. Please visit the page for more information, send the link to a friend who you believe would help, or spare a few dollars yourself! Any donation amount is appreciated.

“Our aim is to bring 100% of senior students’ parents to the ceremony,” said Johanny.

These students have worked hard to obtain a degree which “is only the beginning for transforming humanity,” as Johanny explained their education’s global impact. A donation could be your way of saying “thanks,” and encouraging the environmental change for which these students have worked so hard.

Dr. Shyam Nandwani of Universidad Nacional in Costa Rica visited EARTH earlier this week to discuss possibilities of creating a new short course about solar energy.

“Right now with the oil spill and other world crises, solar power is becoming more [popular],” said Dr. Nandwani.  “What we will do here is teach and disseminate.”

Students will not only do research on and learn the science of solar energy, but they will also discuss social and economical factors having to do with renewable energy.  EARTH students as well as international students would be encouraged to take this one-month course.

Universidad Latina published an online article about EARTH Plants the Future, where EARTH students, staff, employees, and others in over 30 different countries planted 1, 195,371 trees!

The article notes that EARTH University is also celebrating 20 years of greatly impacting humanity and the planet.  We appreciate the appraisal the article gives to EARTH.

View the article from Universidad Latina’s website: http://www.ulatina.ac.cr/?p=572

Video: Whole Foods Market Explains Why you Should Eat EARTH Brand Bananas

In this video, you will learn:

• How EARTH recycles waste products and used water
• How EARTH avoids using pesticides, insecticides and other harmful chemicals
• Which organic materials are used in the production process
• How EARTH has helped workers and their families to live better and healthier lives

Did this make you rethink what brands of produce you are buying? Let us know! Leave a comment.

This weekend, EARTH said “Good-bye” to agricultural studies representatives from twelve different US universities.  The participants made contact with professors and advisors from other US colleges, toured EARTH’s campus and surrounding communities, and learned about EARTH’s philosophies and programs.

We had a great few days with you here and are happy to be working with you.  Hope you enjoyed your stay!

Representatives from University of Caldas in Colombia visited EARTH to discuss a student exchange partnership with EARTH’s Entrepreneurial Program.

In EARTH’s entrepreneurship program, students learn about a specific field of environmental or agricultural study in their first year at EARTH.  In their second year, they implement what they’ve learned and run their own business.  For example, some students produced pineapple on EARTH’s Tropical Crops Farm.  Other students ran their own tree production company.

University of Caldas representatives tour EARTH's organic farms. University of Caldas would like for their students to take part in EARTH's entrepreneurship program.

EARTH believes that this program challenges and strengthens the business skills of our students and interns.  We are happy to share such an advantageous program with another university.

Learn more about University of Caldas (Spanish): http://www.ucaldas.edu.co/