Earthkeepers’ mission at EMU is to act in and around the EMU community to encourage, simplify, and implement environmentally friendly practices such as recycling, composting, and reducing waste. Earthkeepers has started composting and recycling programs on campus using student volunteer help, and each year awards sustainability mini-grants to campus groups.

Mission statement: In the context of the broader EMU community, Earthkeepers attempts to follow Christ’s example of holistic redemption by pursuing sustainable attitudes and practices in relating to and enjoying Creation. Learn more about why we care

2011-12 student contacts

• Katie Jantzen
• Joshua Kanagy

Campus activities

Over the years, Earthkeepers has done a lot. In the last few years we’ve started composting and recycling programs on campus using student volunteer help, organized hiking trips, field trips, panel discussions with guest speakers, and an annual week-long event called “Food and Farming Week.” During this week, students are able to learn about and participate in farming practices and food issues that are important today. Other activities include:

• Sustainability Mini-Grant Competition
• Pumpkin Carving
• Pie Eating/Leaf Raking
• Christmas Tree Lighting
• Tri-weekly Composting
• Chicken Care

Would you like to be part of Earthkeepers? All are welcome. Just let us know!

Campus partners

Creation care isn’t something only students in a certain club care about, which is why we in Earthkeepers are all about collaborating with other clubs and university departments. If you are interested in partnering with Earthkeepers, talk to one of us or send us an email. In the past, we have worked with these groups, among others:

• Sustainable Food Initiative
• Creation Care Council
• Chemistry department
• Biology department
• Campus Ministries
• Physical Plant
• Campus Activities Council
• Information Systems
• PeaceFellowship
• Bike Club and Co-op

The history of Earthkeepers

The History of Earthkeepers at EMU is a long and interesting one. The group began in the 1970s by students in EMU’s business department as a money-making business venture. Their idea was to make money by recycling materials – paper and some plastics – collected from EMU and the surrounding neighborhood; as an added plus, the experience gave them practical entrepreneurial experience. It so happened that they didn’t make as much money as they had thought, and the club turned its focus on creation care.

Legend has it this EMU student effort laid the early groundwork for what is now the Harrisonburg Recycling Program.

In recent years, our club has taken a high-profile role on campus in reducing, reusing, recycling, and composting, and has made some other improvements, like a partnership with Pioneer Food Service (the cafeteria/dining hall provider) to compost excess leftover food each day. We also began the annual Rubbish Redemption drives, and we work with another campus group, the Sustainable Food Initiative, on a number of projects each year, including the traditional Food & Farming Week each year.