Shepherd Environmental Organization Holds Earth Day Cookout

(The Picket) On 20 April, the Shepherd Environmental Organization held its annual Earth Day celebration to raise money to promote conservation on campus.

Dozens of students and faculty came by to enjoy the warm weather and try out the free food on the Byrd Lawn, including grilled veggie burgers, hotdogs, and locally sourced salad greens grown by the environmental studies department in the greenhouse on campus.

The event also included a used clothing swap, the opportunity to paint and take home a free reusable tote bag for cutting down on shopping bag waste, a local vendor selling fair trade items, and the chance to participate in a silent auction for small goods donated by Shepherdstown businesses.

Martha Ehlman from Tenfold Fair Trade on New Street was present to sell her store’s wares and talk about fair trade. The term “Fair Trade” is used to describe practices for promoting more equitable and sustainable trading conditions in developing countries, including paying exporters at fair prices and only doing business with organizations that provide reasonable conditions for workers.

The event also acted as an opportunity for the Shepherd Environmental Organization to put green technology on display. A photovoltaic system was used to power a radio and act as a phone charging station through the event, and a solar cooker capable of heating food without the need for electricity was shown off, though due to its slow speed, almost all the cooked food served was prepared on the grill.

The organization also sold custom T-shirts designed by member Rachel Pierce for the event. All proceeds collected from the auction and items for sale will go toward the Shepherd Environmental Organization budget for next year for new sustainability projects.