The world needs ambitious change-makers to maximize and maintain global food production in an ethical, effective manner. If you want to be a part of that solution, this degree is for you.
From farm to fork, you’ll grow to understand the complex social and scientific factors that influence food systems worldwide. Ultimately, you will use this knowledge to impact non-profit, human service, and agricultural industries around the world.
In this interdisciplinary program, you will explore the three pillars of Sustainable Agriculture:
Students will customize their degree by choosing from two tracks:
Our program emphasizes experiential opportunities to give students practical, real-world skills. Students are required to complete an apprenticeship with the UK CSA farm where they learn to grow, harvest, and distribute organic vegetables. On the outskirts of Lexington, we own and operate a horticulture research farm where students and professors produce a variety of fruits and vegetables for research and consumption. It is also home to our nonprofit Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) project that provides organic produce to the Lexington community. As our student, this is just one of the many hands-on learning opportunities you’ll have.
To learn more about this program, campus life, and chat with an advisor, schedule a campus visit. Virtual visits may be necessary in some cases.
I want to use food to build connection points for people to fix things in their communities.
Sustainable Ag Student
source: myUK: GPS
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In addition to automatic and competitive scholarships from the University of Kentucky, our students are also eligible for a variety of awards from the College of Agriculture, Food and Environment (CAFE). With one of the largest college-based scholarship programs, we have awarded more than $3 million over the past four years. These awards are based on a variety of criteria such as hometown, major, career goals, high school extracurriculars, and more.
For CAFE first-semester freshmen, the application opens on September 30, and the deadline will be Monday, January 22, 2022.
For CAFE transfer students and current students, the scholarship application opens January 3, and the deadline will be Monday, March 22, 2022.
Live where you learn:
The College of Agriculture, Food and Environment Living Learning Program (CAFE LLP) is open to all first-semester freshmen at the University of Kentucky.
All students participating in our living learning program will live in Woodland Glen IV, one of the University's newest residence halls.
Through field trips, professional development workshops and service programs, students in our LLP apply their knowledge and passion to global issues at the intersection of food, economics and environment. All students in this program will also enroll in connected courses, share study groups and have an assigned peer mentor - all to help with the transition to college life.
While all students will enjoy the same benefits, some events and projects will be geared toward students' preferences and career goals. Depending on interests, each student will join one of the following tracks:
To apply, select the "CAFE LLP" while completing the University of Kentucky housing application. For more information, visit the University of Kentucky Housing website.
Should you choose, you can gain international experience while earning credit towards your degree. We offer a variety of study, research, intern, and service abroad programs for all budgets and comfort levels. Some students have even earned grants and scholarships to fully fund their international experiences.
These programs are designed to broaden your mind and introduce you to unfamiliar ways of thinking and living. Ultimately, these experiences will make you a more competitive applicant in the global workforce.
Each year, many of our graduates attend professional schools in areas such as veterinary medicine, law, pharmacy, dentistry, and more. If you are interested in pursuing a similar path, we offer pre-professional advising services.
Our pre-professional advisors will assist you with:
Students can join organizations and clubs to learn outside the classroom, gain valuable work experience and develop their leadership skills. Many of our Sustainable Agriculture students are involved in:
Environmental Science Club
join like-minded students who share a common interest in all things environmental
UK Greenthumb
engage in environmental activism on campus and beyond
Student Sustainability Council
supervise the distribution of resources to responsibly advance the theory, practice and reality of sustainability
Social and community service managers coordinate and supervise programs and organizations that support public well-being.
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics | Click the link for more info.
Median Salary
$69,600
per year in 2018
Number of Jobs
175,500
in 2018
10 Year Job Outlook
29,800
new jobs (average)
Farmers, ranchers, and other agricultural managers run establishments that produce crops, livestock, and dairy products.
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics | Click the link for more info.
Median Salary
$68,090
per year in 2018
Number of Jobs
952,300
in 2018
10 Year Job Outlook
-61,600
new jobs (average)
Conservation scientists and foresters manage the overall land quality of forests, parks, rangelands, and other natural resources.
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics | Click the link for more info.
Median Salary
$64,010
per year in 2018
Number of Jobs
36,100
in 2018
10 Year Job Outlook
1,700
new jobs (average)
College of Agriculture, Food & Environment
N6 Agricultural Science Center
859-257-3469