SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE SYSTEMS MINOR
Recently, a new graduate minor program in sustainable agriculture was
established at the University of Minnesota. Students enrolled in the minor
in Sustainable Agriculture Systems will acquire a broad understanding of
agriculture and related disciplines through interdisciplinary courses, and
hands-on experience with issues relevant to sustainable agriculture through
an internship experience. The minor in Sustainable Agriculture Systems
will prepare students to work with diverse issues related to the long-term
viability of agriculture and to use holistic approaches to building food
production systems.
The Program is open to any student accepted to enrolled in *any* graduate
program (M.S., M.A., PhD) at the University of Minnesota.
The minor curriculum is interdisciplinary and emphasizes the
interconnections among agriculture, ecology, sociology, history, and
economics. Several new courses have been, or are being developed
specifically for the minor, including: Colloquium in Sustainable
Agriculture; Agroecology; History of Agriculture in the U.S.;
Sustainable Agriculture and Social Issues; and Field Experience in
Sustainable Agriculture.
Through the required internship component of the minor program, students
will work with agricultural producers, non-profit organizations, and public
agencies involved with a broad range of issues relevant to sustainable
agriculture. Students will have the opprotunity to gain experience from a
broad range of opportunities including: alternative farming practices;
community supported agriculture; producer and community educational
programs; on-farm research; and policy making, implementation and
regulation. The internship is a conducted in addition to a research or
thesis projet in the student's major field of study. Limited funds for
intern fellowships are available on a competitive basis.
The minor in Sustainable Agriculture Systems was developed
with the cooperative efforts of University faculty, students, agricultural
producers, and representatives of community organizations. Funds to
develop the program are provided by the Minnesota Institute for
Sustainable Agriculture (MISA).
If you would like to receive more information about the minor contact:
Mary Brakke
MN Institute for Sustainable Agriculture
411 Borlaug Hall
University of Minnesota
St. Paul, MN 55108-1013
phone: 612/624-1211
email: brakk001@maroon.tc.umn.edu.