An exciting new area of study
The university that began as “Mass Aggie” is the home of the Sustainable Food and Farming (SFF) program which is the fastest-growing major in the Stockbridge School of Agriculture. This growth is a result of the rapidly changing economic and social conditions of the nation in which local, organic, and sustainable food systems are providing opportunities for good work and exciting new careers.
Opportunities grow
The growth of local food and farming is particularly important today as the world experiences the “perfect storm” of climate disruption, energy shortages, and economic stress. Students who recognize crisis as an opportunity are gravitating to the study of sustainable farming, working toward careers in local food and green businesses, urban agriculture, permaculture, herbal medicine, and related jobs in farm-based education, public policy, community development, and advocacy.
A Stockbridge instructor writes...
"...in my capacity providing technical assistance for the Harvard Pilgrim Healthy Food Fund grantees, I encounter Stockbridge and SFF grads throughout New England. They have good jobs working at the intersection of community food, social justice, and policy: coordinating school gardens, gleaning programs, community cooking, urban farming, mobile markets, and food banks. It's striking to find our former students everywhere I turn, and a pleasure to collaborate with them again, as they have the energy, smarts, and grit to build an equitable good food movement." Catherine H. Sands
This major was designed by students, alumni, employers, local activists, and our faculty. To learn more about the major or schedule a visit, please visit our blog and/or contact Program Coordinator, Sarah Berquist to arrange a visit. Here is a look at some of the courses we offer as part of the SFF major.
The student experience
Experiential learning and hands-on practice are central to our major. For example, the Student Farming Enterprise Project is a year-round class in which students manage a small organic farm and sell their produce through a membership CSA, an on-campus farmers market, and to university and private buyers such as the local Big Y.
Note to residents of Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Vermont: The UMass BS degree in SFF is eligible for reduced tuition rates for residents of Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Vermont as part of the New England Board of Higher Education Tuition Break Program.
Resources
On-Campus Degrees in Sustainable Food & Farming
Online Degrees in Sustainable Food & Farming
For more info about SFF Online, email: @email
Student leadership
SFF student, Mithra, talks about his love of farming.
Emma gives a workshop at the UMass Permaculture Garden.