Environmental Theme

The University of Vermont has chosen Food Systems as one of its Transdisciplinary Research Initiatives. The stated vision of the initiative is to develop solutions to pressing problems in food systems through world-class transdisciplinary research, teaching, and outreach dedicated to improving economic, ecological and human well-being.

Why environmental?  The environmental theme seeks to address threats that adversely impact the sustainable production of food in our agricultural landscape, such as climate change, fossil fuel depletion, monoculture and pollution.

Why Vermont?   We face two pressing problems: food security and climate change. Regional-scaled models for food systems are increasingly identified as possible solutions. Vermont is a “living laboratory” for sustainable agriculture. Our farm landscape includes cropland as well as forest, wetland and grassland, that provide ecosystem services such as carbon sequestration, groundwater recharge and wildlife habitat. Here, we can see in action the long-term value of multi-functionality along with the compromises that result from short-term land use decisions.

Why UVM?  A collaborative team of UVM scholars examines connections among agricultural policy, land use patterns and their relationship to food production, water quality and biological diversity in the landscape.

Environmental Themed Posts

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