Sustainable Food and Farming Program

Associate of Science in Sustainable Food & Farming

Contact: Duane Greene, Program Coordinator, AS in Sustainable Food and Farming
Office: 304 Bowditch Hall
Phone: 413-545-5219
Email: dgreene@umass.edu

The production and marketing of fruit and vegetables are major enterprises in Massachusetts. To maintain these enterprises amidst rising land values, increasing costs of production, and heightened environmental concerns, highly trained and skilled personnel are required. Efficient and environmentally safe methods of land use, water, pesticides, fertilizers, and cropping techniques are stressed. Economic factors which bear upon successful crop and farm management are given particular attention. Farms, laboratories, and greenhouses are available and provide a base for hands-on learning.

Bachelor of Science in Sustainable Food & Farming

Contact: Sarah Berquist
Office: 202 Bowditch
Phone: 413-588-2283
Email:sbberqui@umass.edu

Sustainable Food and Farming allows students who are interested in the social, political, and scientific issues of sustainable agriculture and food systems to seek a broad exposure to this discipline in the liberal arts tradition. Students are exposed to a range of courses including the biophysical aspects of agriculture, economic aspects of food production and distribution, as well as the social elements affecting food policy and access issues. The curriculum combines a solid foundation in horticulture and pest management, and then allows customizing by the student in areas such as business administration, nonprofit organization, sociology, political science, community outreach, and education, among others. By combining crop production training with skills in communication, education, grant writing, nutrition, resource economics, land-use planning, cultural sensitivity, community organizing, and/or policy development, students gain a broader understanding of the many socioeconomic aspects surrounding food production, access, and distribution. Students can tailor their individual programs to prepare for careers in policy, advocacy, community outreach, and education on topics related to crop production, food access, hunger issues, and many other fields. Graduates are uniquely qualified to compete successfully for a wide array of emerging careers in the growing field of food systems.