Recipient Organization
UNIVERSITY OF VERMONT
(N/A)
BURLINGTON,VT 05405
Performing Department
Community Development and Applied Economics
Non Technical Summary
Today there is a national recognition that the U.S. agricultural system requires a next generation of workers who are educated not just in one field of agricultural study, but in the inter-disciplinary work of food systems. A systems framework links together all influences in the food and agricultural sciences, from the first steps of production all the way through consumers' final food choices and the reasons for, and implications of, these choices. Using this framework enables teachers, students and workers to more successfully understand and manage contemporary food and farming issues including the globalization of the food supply, agriculture's entrance into new fields such as energy production, environmental implications of different production and distribution methods, emergence of modern diet-related health problems, and more. This framework also opens up new possibilities for innovative research at the university level, encouraging new dialogues and projects that answer system-wide barriers and opportunities. This project will develop a Master's degree curriculum in food systems, build closer collaboration in the applied research projects of faculty involved in different aspects of the food system, ensure a strong experiential learning component that will connect students directly with practical skills needed for successful employment, manage information systems to communicate the work of the Food Systems program to other centers of higher education and practitioners in the field, and continue developing relationships with other institutions of higher education also pursuing food systems teaching and research.
Animal Health Component
100%
Research Effort Categories
Basic
(N/A)
Applied
100%
Developmental
(N/A)
Goals / Objectives
The objectives of a University of Vermont Master's degree in Food Systems are: 1. To provide students with an interdisciplinary educational experience that offers exposure to the broad range of issues affecting the food system alongside opportunities to delve more deeply into particular areas of individual interest. 2. To build an interdisciplinary systems framework that allows students from diverse backgrounds to cooperatively apply the analytical tools from their past training to investigate complex issues in food and agriculture. 3. To create meaningful real world experiences for students to bring their academic work into practice throughout their time pursuing a Master's degree. 4. To enhance faculty research through building collaborative projects in food systems studies, within UVM, with faculty at collaborating institutions and with partner organizations outside of the university system. 5. To ensure that the work done at UVM strengthens the agricultural sector as a whole through communicating research findings, working with stakeholders to identify priority research areas, and connecting potential employers with graduates prepared to excel in all areas of the food system.
Project Methods
Develop a Master's degree curriculum in food systems. Build closer collaboration in the applied research projects of faculty involved in different aspects of the food system. Ensure a strong experiential learning component that will connect students directly with practical skills needed for successful employment. Manage information systems to communicate the work of the Food Systems program to other centers of higher education and practitioners in the field. Continue developing relationships with other institutions of higher education also pursuing food systems teaching and research.