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Certificate in Sustainable Food and Farming

About the Program

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Sustainable agriculture has been proposed by the United Nations, and the Worldwatch Institute as a way to increase global access to food while also reducing environmental degradation caused by industrial farming methods. Peak oil expert, Richard Heinberg, has suggested that we need 50 million farmers (including backyard gardeners, small organic farms, CSA’s, and large commercial farms) in the U.S. to respond to rapidly diminishing supplies of easily accessible fossil fuel. This will surely create opportunities for people with academic credentials and experience in sustainable food and farming systems.

In this 15-credit, 5 course certificate program you will learn about sustainable farming methods and the education and policy changes needed to effect a global move to sustainable farming methods. The certificate will help prepare students in three areas of study:

1. Sustainable Farming Systems – this includes sustainable and organic plant and animal production systems for managing regionally focused (local) farms, organic farms, Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) farms, and personal homesteads.

2. Education – this includes youth education, citizen education, non-profit educational organizations, media work, and formal teaching relating to ecological food and farming.

3. Public Policy and Advocacy – this includes working directly with people and groups in coalitions such as community gardens, anti-hunger campaigns, and environmental protection groups, as well as non-profit advocacy organizations, government agencies, and personal citizen involvement in political and community change efforts.

Credits earned may be applied to the BA, Sustainability Studies degree completion program through the University Without Walls and the UMass Amherst Bachelor of Science Degree in Sustainable Food and Farming.

Learn more about this program:

To receive more information and connect with the program manager, please complete the request form to the right.

Sample a Course

Click here for more information on the Certificate in Sustainable Food and Farming.

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Program Contact

Contact:	John Gerber 413-545-5301
Campus:	Amherst
Level:	Undergraduate
Type:	Certificate
Credits:	15
Format:	Blended

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This page last updated on September 16, 2011.