The Sustainable Agriculture minor provides students with hands-on, foundational knowledge in food systems, ecological farming practices, and environmental stewardship - an ideal way to boost your resume if you are majoring in agriculture, environmental sciences, or social sciences. It's a great way to stand out in the job market and expand your skills in sustainable food production, resource management, and systems thinking.
Earning a minor in Sustainable Agriculture provides students with transdisciplinary and applied knowledge in agroecology, food systems, and sustainable land management, enhancing their understanding of the complex relationships between agriculture, the environment, and society. This minor is an excellent complement to majors in agriculture, environmental sciences, social sciences, or related fields, offering practical skills applicable to careers in farm and food system management, environmental consulting, community development, non-formal education, and policy making. By integrating scientific principles with hands-on learning, the minor prepares students for diverse opportunities in agriculture, environmental sciences, or social science industries.
To complete the Sustainable Agriculture minor, students must successfully complete 18-20 credits, not including pre-minor requirements. All students must complete SAG 210, SAG 310, and SAG 397; either GEO 235 or PLS 366; either AEC 302, AEC 305, or AEC 445G; and SOC/CLD 360.
Students must complete ECO 201 Principles of Economics I.
Introduction to the environmental, economics and cultural components of sustainable food production and distribution in local and regional food systems. The definition, emergence, and growth of sustainable agriculture are discussed along with pertinent soil, crop, and livestock management practices. Emphasis is placed on holistic analyses of current issues in agriculture and food systems from environmental, profitability, and social justice perspectives. (3 credits) Prerequisites: None
This course focuses on the social processes and cultural mechanisms that underlie everyday agricultural practices, in the U.S. and abroad. By comparing agriculture and food systems between the U.S. and other countries, the course helps students appreciate distinctiveness of each society's efforts to build agricultural sustainability and recognize the common challenges of such an effort in the context of globalized agricultural trade and food production. (3 credits) Prerequisite: SAG 210
Provides students with hands-on experience operating an organic community supported agriculture produce farm and marketing its harvest in the local community. Students receive training across the full range of production and marketing activities. (3 credits) Prerequisite: SAG 210 and SAG 310
A sociological study of the inter-relationship between human societies and the natural environment. Topics may include population growth, food systems, energy, climate change, risk perception, disasters, sustainability, social movements, and environmental justice. (3 credits) Prerequisite: None
Students must select one of the following guided electives.
Students must select one of the following guided electives.
Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food & Environment
