1) California Food Systems Summer Short Course

MORE INFORMATION ON 2013 COURSE AVAILABILITY COMING SOON! 

New Roots Institute offers an exciting opportunity to study California Food Systems this summer. This interdisciplinary, summer course gives students a comprehensive introduction to California agri-food systems. The course highlights agriculture of California’s Central Coast through hands-on exploration of working farms, rangelands and forestry operations, giving students first-hand exposure to some of California’s most respected initiatives for sustainable agriculture.  Led by a team of interdisciplinary food systems scholars, and drawing from both ecological and social sciences, students will study food systems from the perspective of farmer, laborer, policymaker, and agroecologist. Students will gain exposure to practical farming skills and learn about the ecology of food systems, including soils, nutrients, water, and biodiversity.  Social and political dimensions of food systems are brought into focus through the analysis of contemporary topics and issues such as new production methods, certification models, farm and food policy, marketing, labor, regional food systems and food access. Upon course completion, students will have a deeper understanding of potential futures for food systems worldwide.

 2) Advanced Topics: Sustainable Food Systems and Agroecology 

This course, available to Fort Lewis College students, uses curriculum designed by the New Roots team.

This interdisciplinary, five-week summer course presents a comprehensive introduction to sustainable food systems and Agroecology. The course will highlight agriculture of the San Juan mountain region, drawing on experiences of local food systems initiatives and farmers/ranchers to serve as educational case studies. Principles of Agroecology, such as soil, nutrients, water, and biodiversity, will be one cornerstone of the course. Social and political aspects of food systems will serve as the other course foundation as students engage with topics such as food and farm policy, marketing, labor, and food access. This course will also include discussion of careers in food systems and Agroecology.