An Agriculture and Food Systems minor at UNH equips you with a deeper understanding of the complex relationships between food production, sustainability and global food security. This minor complements majors in environmental science, nutrition, or business by providing insights into sustainable agriculture, food policy and the challenges of feeding a growing population. It appeals to students passionate about sustainable food systems, food justice and the environmental impact of agriculture.
What is agriculture and food systems?
Agriculture and food systems is a broad field integrating the natural sciences, social sciences and business skills, plus much more. Agriculture and food systems are key to solving many of the major challenges facing the world, such as producing food to meet the needs of ever-growing populations while conserving land, water and other natural resources. An understanding of these challenges and potential solutions can enhance any career.
Why minor in agriculture and food systems at UNH?
By minoring in agriculture and food systems, you’ll gain an understanding of several strategies to sustainably manage soil, nutrient, water, and genetic resources. You’ll develop in-depth knowledge by taking additional coursework focused on agricultural production, management, and/or policy. You’ll also have an opportunity to gain hands-on experience in cutting-edge research taking place at our top-notch agricultural research facilities.
Potential career areas
- Agricultural business management Agricultural research
- Agricultural services and support
- Farm-to-table restaurant management
- Education and outreachGrant writing
- Greenhouse management
- Policymaking
- Production of food and fiber
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At work on a variety of agricultural research projects that benefit local and regional farmersBraden Foulks ’25 has been working with Professor Becky Sideman and Professor Iago Hale on their respective research.Learn More -
Biochemistry major works on plant breeding projectBraden Foulks is a biochemistry, molecular and cellular biology major and an agriculture and food systems minor from Durham, New Hampshire. He has received the Trustee Scholarship. COLSA: Why did you choose UNH? Braden Foulks: UNH offered the…Learn More -
Food insecurity concerns lead to change in majorAlexandra Papadakis ’21 has long been interested in food. When she started at UNH, she thought that interest would take her in the direction of how it’s grown, harvested, marketed, consumed. Then she started thinking more about hunger.Learn More -
Recent grad didn’t go far to find a rewarding jobPete Kane ’18 started managing the Farm to You NH high tunnels and half-acre field adjacent to the Fairchild Dairy in 2016, while he was still an undergrad.Learn More
Curriculum & Requirements
By pursuing a minor in Agriculture and Food Systems, students will gain knowledge of several aspects of agricultural systems. The required coursework provides an introduction to sustainable and organic agriculture practices, including an array of strategies to sustainably manage soil, nutrient, water, and genetic resources. Students will get more in-depth knowledge of agriculture by taking additional coursework focused on production, management, and/or policy.
Agriculture and Food Systems encompasses a mixture of the natural sciences, social sciences, and business skills, plus much more. Agriculture is key to solving many of the major challenges facing the world; such as producing food to meet the needs of an ever-growing population while conserving land, water, and soil resources. An understanding of these challenges and potential solutions can enhance any career. Undergraduates in any major field of study (except current majors) may minor in Agriculture and Food Systems.
During the student's final semester, the student must fill out a Certification of Completion of Minor form and obtain the signatures of the student's major advisor, minor advisor, and the student's Dean's Office.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required Course | ||
| SAFS 405 | Sustainable Agriculture and Food Production | 4 |
| Electives | ||
| Select 16 credits from the following courses: 1 | 16 | |
AAS 432 | Introduction to Forage and Grassland Management | |
ANSC 421 | Introduction to Animal Science | |
ANSC 750 | Collaborative Farm Design and Development | |
EREC 680 | Agricultural and Food Policy | |
NR 501 | Studio Soils | |
NUTR 405 | Food and Society | |
NUTR 730 | From Seed to Sea: Examining Sustainable Food Systems | |
SAFS 403 | Green Thumb Workshop | |
SAFS 410 | A Taste of the Tropics | |
SAFS 421 | Introductory Horticulture | |
SAFS 502 | Agroecology | |
SAFS 601 | Fruit Crop Production | |
SAFS 620 | Food Systems & Community Resilience | |
SAFS 632 | Urban Agriculture | |
SAFS 651 | Plant Pathology | |
SAFS 670 | Systems Thinking: Land Use Capability and Sustainability in Aotearoa New Zealand | |
SAFS 671 | Agroecology and Sustainable Land Management in Aotearoa New Zealand | |
SAFS 672 | Pathways to Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems in Aotearoa New Zealand | |
SAFS 673 | Agricultural Production and Business Practice in Aotearoa New Zealand | |
SAFS 679 | Food Production Field Experience I | |
SAFS 680 | Food Production Field Experience II | |
SAFS 689 | Greenhouse Management and Operation | |
SAFS 733 | Advanced Topics in Sustainable Agriculture | |
SAFS 750 | Food System Solutions; Increasing Sustainability and Equity | |
SAFS #760 | Insect Pest Management | |
ZOOL 610 | Principles of Aquaculture | |
| Total Credits | 20 | |
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Electives - 16 credits of elective coursework, 8 credits must be at the 600/700 level, selected from the courses listed.
Students are encouraged to discuss their intent to minor with the minor advisor as early as possible, typically no later than the end of the junior year. Not all classes are offered every year.
