Minor in Sustainable Agricultural Systems
University of Minnesota, Twin Cities
Description
Agricultural systems are complex and dynamic. In recent years, questions have been raised regarding the sustainability of energy and resource intensive agriculture systems. While all agriculturally oriented majors of the College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences (CFANS) consider issues of sustainability in agriculture, the Sustainable Agriculture minor provides a concentration of courses giving students greater understanding of scientific, technological, and socio-economic factors affecting the viability of agriculture. Students examine ecological features of agriculture and work through decision-making case studies involving integrated management of specific agricultural systems. The minor provides a degree of flexibility and individuality through several elective options. Students should develop their course of study in consultation with an advisor in one of the CFANS major programs. This minor allows students to study sustainability of agricultural food systems from an integrated perspective including coursework, practical experience and community reflection.