There are many opportunities to get involved in sustainability at Truman State University and in the Kirksville Community.
Campus Organizations
Kirksville Bike Co-op: The Co-op is the campus center for bikers and provides a community bike shop staffed by trained mechanics. Cyclists are free to use the shop’s resources while mechanics provide advice and assistance free of charge. Components are available at modest prices. Co-op hours are noon to four weekdays with Saturday hours coming soon. If you are interested in learning more contact Nolon Carter at nc3172@truman.edu or advisor Janes Dreamweaver at dreamweaver@truman.edu. You can also check out their website here.
Bulldog Biodiesel: Bulldog Biodiesel is a waste-reducing effort on campus that began in 2007 as a collaborative effort between the Agriculture Science Senior Practicum and the American Chemical Society (ACS). Construction of a new biodiesel lab space at the University Farm was completed in 2020 and the final preparations to begin processing oil at this new location are wrapping up. Volunteers and workers assist in the collection, filtration, and processing of used vegetable oil from Truman’s dining halls that would otherwise be thrown out. Some of the filtered oil is used to power greenhouse heaters at the farm but the finished biodiesel is used to run one of the farm’s trucks and one of its tractors. If you are interested in learning more about the lab’s work, how to volunteer, or how to sign up as a scholarship worker for the lab please email Bill Kuntz (University Farm Manager) at brkuntz@truman.edu.
Communiversity Garden: The Truman State Communiversity Garden is an organic, on-campus garden dedicated to instructing members on sustainable agriculture techniques. The garden serves both as a means to produce fresh, nutritious food and a teaching tool for community members that are interested in learning more about gardening. If you would like to visit the garden, it is located between West Campus Suites and the Student Recreational Center parking lot. If you are interested in learning more about the garden you can email Cassie Seuferling at ccs2523@truman.edu.
Environmental Affairs Committee (Student Government): The Environmental Affairs Committee strives to promote sustainable behavior and decrease the environmental impact of the University, its students, faculty, and staff. There are openings year-round on this committee for interested students to join on as associate members. Check out the Student Government website for more information on how to apply or who to contact if you are interested in working with them.
Environmental Sustainability Fee Accountability Committee (ESFAC): The Environmental Sustainability Fee Accountability Committee strives to ensure the fair and beneficial allocation of the student Environmental Sustainability Fee. Click here to view the approved slate of 2020-2021 ESFAC—funded proposals. You can find the current status and projects of the committee by heading to the Student Government Committees page. You can also contact 2022-23 committee chair Drew Arends at dwa8863@truman.edu.
Environmental Campus Organization (ECO): The Truman State University Environmental Campus Organization is a student organization focused on creating awareness for environmental problems and implementing green initiatives on campus. ECO’s mission is to advocate, educate, and bring environmental concerns to the forefront of the campus and Kirksville community. Throughout the year, ECO partners with a number of other environmental organizations to host events such as a local stream clean-up or a week-long celebration of sustainability undertakings on campus. To learn more about what ECO does on campus and in the community, visit the organization’s Instagram page. If you are interested in getting involved with ECO, contact the club at eco@truman.edu or email faculty adviser Dr. Elizabeth Hooper at lhooper@truman.edu.
PLANTS!: PLANTS! is a social and volunteer based organization focused on everything plants! PLANTS hosts biweekly meetings to discuss upcoming events, which include plant sales, terrarium building, adopting a flower bed on campus, and so much more. Any and all majors are encouraged to join! If you are interested in joining or just want to learn more, contact Del Hannay at meh8277@truman.edu or the club advisor Dr. Hooper at lhooper@truman.edu. You can also check out their website.
Rot Riders: The Truman State University Rot Riders are an on-campus organization dedicated to reducing food waste in Kirksville by collecting and transporting community compost. The Rot Riders divert food scraps from landfills in a carbon-free manner (on bicycles). Every week, the organization rides around on bikes connected to trailers and collects food scraps from faculty, students, and local off-campus businesses. The scraps are then added to compost piles at the University Farm or the Communiversity Garden. The service is free to all campus and community members, so the organization runs entirely on volunteer support. If you are interested in getting involved with the Rot Riders or signing up to have your compost picked up weekly, send your name, phone number (optional), address, or your message to rotriders@kvpermaculture.org.
Save the Bees: The Save the Bees club works with students to learn how to take care of bees. They also educate faculty and students about the benefits of pollinators. Join to help create a safe place for all kinds of pollinators. If you’re interested in joining or want more information contact Gabrielle Woods at gmw1388@truman.edu or advisor Dr. Bob Johnson at bjohnson@truman.edu. Be sure to check out the Save the Bees club website.
Student Climate Union (SCU): The Student Climate Union is a progressive group dedicated to fighting climate change and encouraging political action on environmental and social issues. To learn more contact them at studentclimateunion@truman.edu or contact Sara Klamm: smk2272@truman.edu
TruOutdoors: The Truman State University TruOutdoors organization focuses on exploring the great outdoors and taking advantage of one of the best free things in life… nature! They conduct backpacking/ hiking trips to places all over the country, from Colorado to Virginia, or right here at Thousand Hills. Our goal is to help students learn effective hiking and backpacking methods, how to pack for a trip, trails and hiking destinations, and more. If you are interested in learning more about or joining TruOutdoors, email truoutdoors@gmail.com or President Madison Polniak.
The Wildlife Association: The Wildlife Association seeks to stimulate interest and increase knowledge in the field of wildlife among Truman students and create campus awareness of wildlife issues. If you are interested in learning more, contact President Jonathan Lee at jwl1654@truman.edu or advisor Dr. Joanna Hubbard at hubbard@truman.edu. The organization can also be contacted on Instagram.
Community Organizations
The Green Thumb Project: The Green Thumb Project is an outdoor education non-profit in Kirksville. By providing educational resources to children, parents, and community members, Green Thumb works to support and promote the local food movement. They seek to educate the community in sustainability, create more access to affordable local food for everyone, and create community gardens that will improve the health and wellness of our citizens. Scholarship job opportunities and paid summer internships are available with Green Thumb. Email outdoored@kirksville.k12.mo.us to get involved.
White Rose Catholic Worker Farm: White Rose Catholic Worker Farm is a intentional community organized around ecology, sustainability, and spirituality located at 31167 Ferrier Lane In La Plata, Missouri 63549. The community offers site visits, but requests that you call ahead to set up a time to visit. For more information, call (660)-332-4026.
Dancing Rabbit Eco-village: Dancing Rabbit is an eco-village/intentional community located 40 minutes outside of Kirksville at 1 Dancing Rabbit Ln in Rutledge, MO 63563. The community offers a number of different workshops throughout the year, including a natural building workshop, a permaculture design course, a soap-making and herbal medicine course, and a women’s building workshop. The community also offers an online webinar series on how to live a high quality, low carbon life. Tours are offered the second and fourth Saturday of each month, with no reservation required. For more information or driving directions, click here. For other any other questions, call (660)-883-5511.