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Statement Regarding Antioch Farm (updated)

UPDATE: October 15, 2019

In addition to continuing and concerning harassment regarding our farm-to-table program, a fourth menacing death threat has been received by the College. Authorities including the Yellow Springs Police and the Greene County Prosecutor are aware of the threats. The FBI JTTF is assisting the Yellow Springs Police with investigations.

If you have any related information which may assist with the investigations, please contact the Yellow Springs Police Department,

Past updates archived below…


 

Recently, there has been national attention given to our solar sheep, part of our working farm and sustainability education model at Antioch College.

Our programs are part of a laboratory learning environment where ideas are put into action. Environmental sustainability is one of the core Areas of Practice at Antioch College. This practice based in leading scientific knowledge, data, and research (Project Drawdown is one example).

We’re internationally recognized as an AASHE Stars Silver-rated campus, and as a top performer among institutions of higher learning for our food and dining and grounds maintenance practices. Our dining hall serves mostly organic food grown on local farms, including our own working farm on campus where the principles of ecological agriculture are employed.

Vegan and vegetarian options are an important part of every meal served, and are often the only choices offered (PETA’s vegan report card gives our dining program an A grade). Similar to the majority of the population in the United States, the majority of our students are omnivores, so our dining program also serves a limited quantity of ethically raised meat from our farm and other local farms. Antioch College does not support environmentally destructive industrial farming operations of any kind including inhumane CAFOs (Confined Feeding Operations) which are currently the prevailing source of meat.

Teaching students to make ethical decisions for themselves is central to Antioch College’s mission. In our judgment, it is far more responsible and ethical to be open with our students and other community members about what they are eating and where it originates. It is a question of education ultimately, and if more educational institutions in Ohio and across the world adopted similar approaches, the environmental health consequences could only be beneficial.

Every meal prepared and served at Antioch College is an education, and our Farm is a living laboratory for seeking out ways to sustain our community in harmony with the land. Read these FAQs to learn more about our Farm and the sheep on our campus.

Updates

UPDATE: September 6, 2019

The Office of the President received a very concerning death threat over the phone.

Staff in the President’s office forwarded the message to Public Safety, who notified Yellow Springs Police. Public Safety and local police, at the College’s request, have increased patrols around campus.

The safety of our students, faculty, and staff is our chief concern. The unrelenting aggression against the College—spearheaded by Mr. David Nibert, employed at another area university—has resulted in a threat that we must take very seriously.

UPDATE: October 7, 2019

The continued campaign led by Mr. Nibert has resulted in two more very concerning death threats directed to the College President. Authorities have once again been alerted to the threats.

Due to the continued actions against the College which have resulted in continued harassment of our campus community, a letter was delivered to Mr. David Nibert on Friday, October 4, banning him from the Antioch College campus and College-owned properties, including the Glen Helen Nature Preserve.

As a private institution, we have a right to control who has access to our campus and College-owned properties, especially those who, through their presence and actions, make our campus community feel unsafe.