Closing an Agricultural Waste Loop with Blood Meal: My Recipe for a High Nitrogen Fertilizer
From day one, Sterling students dive into hands-on learning that sparks curiosity and drives meaningful change. Sterling senior Dot Deininger took that spirit into the field this summer by exploring whole-animal utilization in a thoughtful, sustainable way. Their step-by-step blog post on making Blood Meal shows how curiosity and care leads to sustainable solutions.
The Place We Call Home: Essays and Stories by Sterling Students
From Virginia to Colorado, the Hudson Valley to New Hampshire, Sterling College students submitted nonfiction pieces and creative reflections grounded in the landscapes they come from. Each story offers a personal glimpse into the author’s memories, values, and sense of belonging. Sights, smells, and sounds are captured in vivid detail, invoking nostalgia and an intimacy only possible from lived experience.
Published May 2025
Digging Deep Into Solid Waste: An Article by Sterling Student Michael Apicella
Sterling College student Michael Apicella was recently featured in The Hardwick Gazette for his article, “Schaper Encourages Digging Deep into Solid Waste.” The piece includes an interview with Erika Schaper, Outreach Coordinator for the Lamoille Regional Solid Waste Management District.
Published April 2025.
Sterling Students Explore Environmental Law: From The Classroom to The Vermont Statehouse
Sterling students in the Environmental Law course have been diving deep into the world of environmental and agricultural policies, exploring the complex laws that shape Vermont, the U.S., and even international policy. Their studies go beyond the classroom—students are getting in-person experience by attending Legislative Sessions at the Vermont Statehouse, immersing themselves in real-time policy action and engaging with key stakeholders who influence crucial environmental issues.
Published March 2025.
A 30 Year Legacy
Allison Van Akkeren is retiring from Sterling College for a second time from 30 years of working at Sterling College.
Published December 2024.
A Book Review by Rory Bosanko
Rory Finn Bosanko is a senior at Sterling College studying Natural Resource Management. In researching the history of logging and forestry in the NorthEast United States, Rory recently read and reviewed a book called Haywire to learn more about logging and sustainable forestry management.
Published December 2024
Exploring Service and Community: Sterling College Students Engage with Peers at the Work Colleges Consortium in Kentucky
This November, four Sterling College students joined two faculty members for a trip to Kentucky to attend a bi-annual Work Colleges Consortium gathering. During the visit they split their time between a visit to Berea College and Alice Lloyd College where they were able to meet students, learn about programs, and enjoyed tours of each school’s campus.
Published in November 2024
Reflections Of An Internship
Sterling College student, Enoch Bernfield shares a thoughtful reflection on this summer's time working in the Sterling Gardens.
Published October 2024
Dynamism & Flow: Ecological and Cultural Explorations of the Hudson River
Two Sterling faculty and seven students explored the Hudson River waters through wading, kayaking, canoeing, sailing and riding a ferry. As they traveled the river, they studied its natural history, ecological health, cultural significance and economic impact.
Published October 2024
Emergency to Emergence Podcast
A podcast intended to engage spirited, heart-centered dialogue about intersecting eco-social emergencies featuring the voices and perspectives of people purposefully engaging in ecological thinking and action while fostering active, community-engaged responses that offer hope.
Published December 2023
Something That Happened
Sitting on the dock that was once my front porch, I was literally splashed with a moment of clarity at the severity of the situation when the waves created by the passing truck sent a ripple of water over my head, drenching my pajamas.
Published August 2023
The Weight of Water: Part Three
Experiencing a water crisis is not something that most colleges would highlight on their blog or promote on social media. But Sterling isn’t like all the others. We don’t see the value in obscuring our very real experience of living on a planet that has been deeply wounded by shortsighted actions.
Published in June 2023
The Weight of Water: Part Two
The first truckload of state-funded bottled water arrived from Vermont Heritage, a regulated and approved provider which bottles spring water at the source near the international border about 30 miles north of the our campus, in January 2022.
The Weight of Water: Part One
In December 2021, routine mandatory quality testing had indicated and confirmed that the primary well from which our water is pumped had 23ng/L of the five PFAS substances that Vermont regulates, exceeding the 20ng/L maximum contaminant level.
Published June 2023
3 Reasons Not to Go to College
Discover three compelling reasons why attending college may not be the best choice for everyone. Explore alternative paths, consider career opportunities, and weigh the pros and cons to make an informed decision about your future.
Published in 2017 and updated in 2023
Queering Nature Writing: Speaking to the Trees and How We Talk About the World
Discover the powerful intersection between queer perspectives and our connection to nature. Delve into thought-provoking discussions, engaging narratives, and enlightening insights that challenge conventional notions. Uncover new dimensions of environmental discourse and celebrate diverse voices shaping our understanding of the natural world.
Published in June 2023
Mastering the Rapids: Eleven Essential Preparations for Whitewater Canoeing Instructors
To fully capitalize on the naturally flowing rivers, it is crucial to prepare in advance. While my advice stems from my experience as a class instructor, it is applicable to anyone gearing up for spring paddling adventures.
Published in June 2023