This course will cover the basics of agricultural production, discuss the shortcomings of conventional agricultural practices, and explore sustainable alternatives. The course uses lectures, readings, and interactive activities to provide students with agricultural literacy and challenge them to analyze complex agricultural problems while weighing a variety of social, biological, economic, and political factors. The topics covered include: sustainable agriculture, industrial farming, soil, water, farmland access, new farmer entry, agroecology, regenerative agriculture, permaculture, sustainable animal production, sustainable fisheries, aquaculture, agricultural labor and justice, genetically modified organisms, The Farm Bill, and food policy.
Prerequisites
Exploring San Francisco Bay Area Food Systems (MSFS-501A), Sustainability and Climate Change (MSFS-500), Systems Thinking Seminar (MSFS-505), and Local, Regional, and Global Food Systems (MSFS-510)
Corequisites
Race, Class, and Justice from the Field to the Table (MSFS-520)