A food system includes everything it takes to feed a population – from growth and harvest to marketing and distribution – and by integrating sustainable agriculture practices, the Sustainable Agriculture & Food Systems major addresses real-world issues, like food equity and food justice, with sustainable solutions. With unique tracks, students can find a focus that fits them best.
Learn more about the Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems major
Major Learning Outcomes
Students graduating with a Sustainable Agriculture & Food Systems degree at the University of Minnesota understand the social, economic and environmental components of food systems, and what drives food system change in our communities. In the major, the elements of food systems (production, marketing and processing, distribution, consumption, and post-consumption) are examined from scientific, technical and humanistic perspectives. Our major develops practical skills that will enable students to be leaders and changemakers via a rich curriculum that features scientific and technical training, community-engaged learning, and food equity and justice. They are competitive for a diversity of jobs that require integrated knowledge of how the food system functions. Students graduating with a Sustainable Agriculture & Food Systems degree from the University of Minnesota will have:
Foundational understanding in one or more bodies of knowledge related to food systems
Expertise: Sustainable Agriculture & Food System students have expertise in at least one body of food systems knowledge, such as organic and local food production or economics/marketing, and know how to use discipline-specific tools to help solve problems.
The ability to perceive, feel, think, and act systemically to address complex food-system challenges
Systems Thinking: Sustainable Agriculture & Food Systems graduates can evaluate distinct food systems components, including those that are social, environmental and economic in nature, and are competent using holistic approaches of analysis. They have skills to compare alternative models for food system change, and can prioritize those that are actionable and most likely to result in meeting societal needs. Sustainable Agriculture & Food systems graduates will be able to predict the points in a food system that offer the best leverage for effecting change.
Problem Solving: They can characterize and tackle a wide range of food systems problems using both independence and interdependence by knowing how and when to collaborate or seek help, and how and when to act on their own.
Ways of Knowing: Sustainable Agriculture & Food Systems students gain appreciation of differences of those affected by the food system (everybody!) by recognizing the value of interacting with individuals with backgrounds and/or perspectives different from their own. They are exposed to a variety of cultures and worldviews to learn how food systems are valued and how and why they vary across societies.
Ethics and Values: Since compassion and empathy can drive actions that lead to positive global change, Sustainable Agriculture & Food Systems students are taught to know their own values and worldviews via observation and deep reflection of current food system models to understand how policy, economics, and science drive the food system today.
Self Empowerment: Sustainable Agriculture & Food Systems students make a difference in the world by applying knowledge they have gained in their program towards end-goals that include design of food system attributes aligned with their values. They have the opportunity to practice project management, as well as contribute to the broader university and local community food systems through internships and integration with local community.
Foundational competence in communication regarding complex food systems challenges
Effective Communication: Sustainable Agriculture & Food Systems majors learn and practice effective communication skills in collaborative groups and in leadership roles; they gain direct experience by interacting with professionals in our community who are addressing real on-the-ground challenges faced by diverse groups in the Minneapolis-St Paul region.
Civic Engagement and Citizenship: Sustainable Agriculture & Food Systems students engage deeply in community-based work and are civically engaged throughout their program, thus they are well equipped to play an active and responsible role in society after graduation through political and personal actions.