Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems (Minor)

Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems (Minor)

Grapes

What is sustainable agriculture and food systems?

Sustainable agriculture and food systems is a broad field integrating the natural sciences, social sciences and business skills, plus much more. Sustainable 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 sustainable agriculture and food systems at UNH?

By minoring in sustainable 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
Find Courses
View Course Catalog

Contact

Rebecca Sideman

Program Coordinator - Sustainable Agriculture, Sustainable Horticulture Production
Full Extension State Spec/Prof
Phone: (603) 862-3203
Office: Agriculture, Nutrition & Food Systems, Kendall Hall Room 316, Durham, NH 03824
Department of Agriculture, Nutrition, and Food Systems
University of New Hampshire
Kendall Hall
129 Main Street
Durham, NH 03824
(603) 862-2130
  • UNH student Alexandra Papadakis ’21
    Sustainability
    Wildcat
    From Farm-to-Fork to Hunger
    Food insecurity concerns lead to change in major
    Alexandra 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
    Sustainability
    Wildcat
    From Farm-to-Fork to Hunger
    Food insecurity concerns lead to change in major
    Alexandra 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
  • Peter Kane tends to lettuce in one of UNH's high tunnels
    Alumni
    Peter Kane ‘18
    Recent grad didn’t go far to find a rewarding job
    Pete 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
    Alumni
    Peter Kane ‘18
    Recent grad didn’t go far to find a rewarding job
    Pete 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

View All Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems (Minor) Spotlights

Curriculum & Requirements

By pursuing a minor in Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems (SAFS), students will gain knowledge of several aspects of agricultural systems.  The required course (SAFS 405) 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 additional aspects of sustainable agriculture by taking additional coursework focused on agricultural production, management, and/or policy.

Sustainable 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 SAFS) may minor in Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems.

Certificate of Minor
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.  

Required SAFS Core Course
SAFS 405Sustainable Agriculture and Food Production4
Electives 116
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 410
A Taste of the Tropics
SAFS 421
Introductory Horticulture
SAFS 502
Agroecology
SAFS 510
Agriculture and Development in the Neotropics
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 760
Insect Pest Management
ZOOL 610
Principles of Aquaculture
Total Credits20
1

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.

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