Grow a Stronger Food System

Agroecology at UVM

Global weather patterns are shifting, millions are facing malnutrition and food insecurity, and earth’s natural resources are stressed. How do we grow food in a way that sustains our people and our planet?

Agroecology offers crucial concepts and tools for farmers, academics, and other actors to transform food systems for sustainability and resilience.

Responding to increasing demand for a deeper curriculum that focuses on all dimensions of agroecology, including its expressions as science, social movement, and practice, UVM offers a variety of options to prepare students to improve our food system.

Certificate of Graduate Study in Agroecology

For those pursuing a career in sustainable agriculture and/or food systems, agricultural policy, or related fields

Composed of one hybrid course, three foundational online courses, and final synthesis online seminar course, the goal of the CGSA is to provide participants with graduate-level, conceptual, and applied knowledge in agroecology.

Type
Credit Certificate
Format
Hybrid
Semester
Fall, Spring, Summer

Micro-Certificate of Graduate Study in Agroecology

For those pursuing a career in sustainable agriculture and/or food systems, agricultural policy, or related fields

Earn a 9-credit certificate by taking three core courses that represent the three dimensions of agroecology: science, movement, and practice.

Type
Format
Semester

woman in black tank top reaching up corn stalk

Introduction to Agroecology

For those seeking an immersive introduction to the challenges of current agrifood systems

Available as a non-credit, standalone offering, this 4-week, online course presents an in-depth overview of research and applications in the field of agroecology, with a focus on principles-based approaches.

Type
University Coursework
Format
Online
Semester
Fall, Spring, Summer

Participatory Action Research and Transdisciplinary Agroecology

Deepen your understanding of complex problems in agroecology. Learn how to apply participatory action research and transdisciplinary approaches to agri-food system studies.

Available as a non-credit, 14-week, online course, students will have the opportunity to examine examples of agroecological PAR projects, draw upon lessons learned, and find inspiration.

Type
University Coursework
Format
Online
Semester
Fall

Agroecology, Food Sovereignty and Social Movements

Examine the potential intersection between agroecology, food sovereignty and government policies

Available as a non-credit, 14-week online course, students will investigate the social, political, and economic elements of the global food system from multiple perspectives.

Type
University Coursework
Format
Online
Semester
Fall, Spring

Food Systems Graduate Program

Graduate-level study

Combining knowledge with action, UVM’s 18-month, transdisciplinary, cohort educational model program prepares students to apply knowledge of the interconnected and interdependent global food system and helps them develop skills in mixed method research approaches in order to critically analyze and propose solutions to our most challenging problems.

Type
Graduate Program
Format
On Campus, Online
Semester
Fall

PhD in Food Systems

Graduate-level study

When you earn your Ph.D. in Food Systems, you’ll join a cohort that works together to devise potential solutions to society’s biggest challenges within our food system.

Type
Graduate Program
Format
Hybrid
Semester
Fall

Farmer Training Program

For those who want hands-on, skill-based education in sustainable agriculture

UVM’s Farmer Training Program is a six-month, hands-on program for aspiring farmers and food-systems advocates that provides experiential, skills-based education in sustainable farming. Students will get a unique and comprehensive education by running all aspects of the 10-acre Catamount Educational Farm, learning from expert farmers and educators in the classroom, and alongside successful, inspiring farmers in the Burlington area.

Type
Certificate
Format
On Campus
Semester
Summer

farmer smiling in striped shirt harvesting onions

Ecological Foundations of Agroecology

For those seeking fundamentals in principles of ecology and their application to agricultural systems and landscapes

Available as a non-credit, standalone offering, this 15-week, online course, examines the ecological foundations of Agroecology, largely from a biophysical perspective.

Type
University Coursework
Format
Online
Semester
Fall, Spring

Hurricane Irene Crop Damage at Cottonwood Farm in Colchester, Vermont

Just Transitions – Food Systems

For those interested in forming a learning community that explores agroecology as an approach to just transitions in food systems

Available as a non-credit, standalone online offering. Students will explore how agroecological transitions are complex, relational and ongoing processes of change that unfold in territories, and shaped by these wider processes within a complex matrix of power.

Type
University Coursework
Format
Online
Semester
Spring

What Students Are Saying

“Being at UVM confirmed that I want to live a life off the land and make a living growing and making food for people in the local community.”
Brandon Chase

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“My goal is to support rural economies to improve quality of life for rural, minority, and other marginalized populations.”
Olivia Peña

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“If you want to find all the ins and outs of farming, this program is the place to be.”
Sam O’Brien

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“Bridging the gap between growing food and understanding policy is absolutely key.”
Allie Williams

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