Associate Degree in Sustainable Food and Farming (On-Campus)

What is Sustainable Food & Farming?

As the world experiences the “perfect storm” of climate disruption, depletion of easily and safely extractable fossil fuel, and global economic stressors, local food and farming becomes particularly important to our collective futures.  The field of sustainable agriculture uses scientific method to uncover what it means to "be sustainable" at every stage of the food growth and distribution process.  Experimentation with different growing techniques is expanding the range of methods we apply to farming.  The field also seeks to connect local food production with nearby people and communities, serving the principle of food justice by increasing access to fresh produce.

Students have recognized crisis as opportunity and are gravitating to the study of sustainable farming and marketing, working toward careers in local food and green businesses, urban agriculture, permaculture, herbal medicine, farm-based education, public policy, community development, and advocacy. 

The 60-credit associate of science (AS) degree offers a 2-year program of study for those who wish to practice agriculture but are not ready to make a commitment to the bachelor of science (BS) degree. Students in the AS program acquire rapid workforce-ready training that includes basic knowledge of both plant and soil sciences along with training in specific agricultural techniques.  The major offers flexibility in designing a personal program of study, allowing students to focus on areas including specific crop production, sustainable soil management, diagnosis and treatment of insects and diseases, animal care and welfare, integrated farming systems, hydroponics, greenhouse production, food systems sustainability, and produce marketing.  This program is designed for students to quickly gain the necessary hands-on skills, experience, and confidence to work in agriculture, food systems, or environmental stewardship right away. 

The Stockbridge Advantage

Growing since 1867, Stockbridge School of Agriculture hosts the largest selection of sustainable agriculture courses in the country, offering an impressive range of very specific topics.  Today, UMass Amherst is ranked #1 in the U.S. for agricultural sciences, and is the only U.S. school in the global Top Ten for agricultural sciences.  UMass originally began as Massachusetts Agricultural College (aka "Mass Aggie"), where our founder Levi Stockbridge offered a 2-year course of study using scientific method to reveal the best practices for agriculture.  This major continues that tradition, with an added emphasis on testing and proving sustainable growth and distribution methods.  Both Stockbridge and UMass share a deep and historic commitment to the principles of sustainability.  

As a land grant university, UMass Amherst owns and manages multiple farms on or near our main campus.  Our 18-acre organic UMass Student Farm is run by a rotating set of Stockbridge Sustainable Food & Farming majors, whose decisions determine the success and direction of food production each year.  Our largest customer is the UMass dining commons, which has been consistently ranked #1 in campus food nationally, for nearly a decade.  Our students sell produce to Big Y supermarkets locally.  Our zero-waste programs ensure that any unsold produce is quickly donated to Amherst Survival Center and other food provision organizations.

Our students run a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program through which summer supporters of the farm later receive 25 lb crates of fresh produce every week through the Fall harvest season.  You'll have the option to participate in our Livestock program and small Meat CSA operation as well.  Every Friday during the warmer months of the school year, we operate an on-campus Farmers' Market that has evolved into a huge and joyous event where students sell their own creations, including flower arrangements and vegetable starters, alongside our farm produce.  Recently, some of our students took the initiative to set up a program to provide free meals on campus to UMass students experiencing food insecurity.  

We enjoy tremendous resources from UMass, which we've invested in top-level facilities surrounding our campus.  In addition to our UMass Student Farm, we have a Crop and Animal Research and Education Farm, Cold Spring Orchards in Belchertown, and our Cranberry Station in Wareham.

We learn by doing.  Our specialty is hands-on, experiential education.  Our small class sizes make you a full participant in cooperative learning, and give you unparalleled access to professors whom you'll know on a first name basis.  We have many hands-on sustainability projects happening on our farms, including development of pollinator habitats, a permaculture initiative, no-till farming systems, silvopasturing, alley-cropping, hydroponic greenhouse production, and more.  

Careers in Sustainable Food & Farming

The need for food is planet-wide, and so are the opportunities for our graduates.  While our alumni can be found all around the world, many graduates are finding good work close to home.  Compared to the rest of the U.S., the number of farms is increasing in New England, and demand for local food in Massachusetts is almost ten times higher than the national average.  This growth of the local food economy offers our students numerous opportunities to find fulfilling work both before and after graduation.

After your first year, you'll complete a 3-month summer internship, learning-and-earning at a farm or other agriculture-based organization, giving you a taste of a specific career direction within the field, and putting industry experience on your resume well before you graduate, demonstrating your dedication to future employers.

Some students entering the field today intend to return to revitalize their family farms.  Some plan on homesteading while pursuing employment in other fields.  Many of our students choose to pursue specific interests in sustainable or organic agriculture, urban farming, greenhouse management, sustainable landscaping, food justice, and non-profit work.  A recently revived program in Retail Floral Design has some students headed towards the sustainable special cut flower industry, both in plant propagation and direct sales.

Exciting opportunities exist with food companies, agricultural associations, community organizations, local governments, and food cooperatives.  Related enterprises focused on agricultural education, public policy, community development and advocacy are expanding as more people discover the value of local food and farming systems, and their importance to building vibrant communities.

The College of Natural Sciences Career Center on campus is available to help you build a strong resume, write persuasive cover letters, and practice interviewing.  Stockbridge professors also have many connections across the food and farming industries.

New England Tuition Break Program

Students who are residents of Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, or Vermont are eligible for reduced tuition through the New England Tuition Break Program.  Learn how to claim your New England Tuition Break if accepted.

Option to Transfer to a Bachelor Degree Program

We offer far more courses than can be taken in a 2-year timeframe.  For associate degree students who decide to take a deeper dive into our more advanced courses, we offer the opportunity to seamlessly transfer from the associate program into our 4-year bachelor degree program in Sustainable Food & Farming.  The bachelor degree offers additional breadth as well as opportunities for deeper specialization, allowing you to shape your knowledge and skillset for the career direction that interests you most.  With our stackable degree programs, you can graduate with both the associate degree, and the bachelor of science degree, in just 4 years.

Option to Complete Degrees Online

In addition to our campus-based AS degree, we also offer a fully online degree program for working adults looking to change their careers to focus more on sustainable food systems and farming.  Classes are designed to fit into busy lifestyles and may be taken at your own pace.  Degree requirements for the online AS degree program are slightly different from the on-campus program.  You are invited to get started online by starting with our 15-credit Certificate Program in Sustainable Food and Farming.  The certificate stacks with our Online Associate of Science Degree Program, and Online Bachelor of Science Degree Program, meaning that all certificate courses count towards the associate degree, and all associate degree courses count towards the bachelor's degree.