Ryan Harb, MS, LEED AP

Champions of Change Program Background: The Champions of Change program was created as a part of President Obama’s Winning the Future initiative. Each week, a different issue is highlighted and groups of Champions, ranging from educators to entrepreneurs to community activists, are recognized for the work they are doing to better their communities. You can check out the previous champions, their blogs and video of past events at www.whitehouse.gov/champions.

The Contest: Over 1400 representatives from college and university projects across the nation sent in their applications to the White House in hopes of being selected in the top 15. On February 21, Ryan Harb received a congratulatory phone call from the White House - the UMass Amherst Permaculture submission was selected by judges – and now he and others from the UMass Permaculture team had 1 week to gather as many online votes as possible!

The Results: The UMass Amherst Permaculture Committee received 59,841 votes, the most among 15 other finalists in the challenge. As a top-five finisher, Ryan and others from the UMass Amherst Permaculture Initiative received a trip to the White House, met President Obama, and were featured on MTV Act’s blog (below) and mtvU’s television program, “The Dean’s List.”  See Vote totals for the full results of the online voting.

MTV’s “Deans List” hosted by Ryan Harb and other Champions of Change

• Top 10 Videos from The White House 3.27.12

White House Champions of Change on MTV Act

• Celebrating The #WHchamps: Get To Know The Winners & How To Get Involved 3.16.12

UMass Permaculture on WhiteHouse.gov

• Cultivating Tomorrow’s Future Today: Sustainable Communities and Economies 3.15.12

Boston Globe Article about UMass Permaculture and Ryan Harb

• UMass Amherst permaculture project wins White House award 3.14.12

Other Articles featuring UMass Permaculture winning the White House contest:

• UMass permaculture program honored at White House 3.16.12
• Live Stream of White House event featuring UMass Permaculture Committee 3.15.12
• UMass Students Honored at White House as “Champions of Change” 3.15.12
• UMass permaculture program wins White House Campus Champions voting 3.6.12
• From Franklin to Washington: UMass Permaculture wins challenge 3.5.12
• UMass garden cited by White House 3.5.12
• Campus Champions Of Change: President Obama, MtvU Nominate Top 15 Students 3.2.12
• UMass sustainable garden group vying for recognition at the White House 3.2.12
• Vote to Send Permaculturist to White House 3.1.12
• Is Permaculture About To Be Adopted In The Grounds of America’s White House? 2.29.12
• UMass gardeners could be going to the White House 2.28.12
• Campus Permaculture Project Up for White House Recognition 2.27.12
• UMass garden in running for White House honor 2.27.12
• Isenberg Graduates Engage Students in White House Challenge 2.24.12

Video of the White House Campus Champions of Change Event: President Obama makes a surprise guest appearance. Ryan Harb and 4 other Champions of Change explain their campus projects and what they are doing to better their communities.