Agriculture in practice

Agriculture in Practice will offer a combination of lecture, discussion and a farm tour designed to give students an overview of agriculture systems. Students will learn about the advent and spread of industrial agriculture and its ecological, social and political implications. They will learn about Agroecology as an alternative to the industrial system, including its ecological methodologies and its origins in global social movements. We will discuss practices that build soil, conserve water, and increase biodiversity and explore real-life examples. Throughout, students will gain an understanding of the intersections of agriculture, climate change, and equity. Students will complete a selection of readings/films/podcasts, and write a short reflective paper that draws together what they have learned in class with an on-the-ground example of an Agroecological system or movement in their country of choice.

Caiti Hachmyer, who teaches this course, is an Agroecological farmer from California. She owns and operates Red H Farm (https://redhfarm.com/), teaches Agroecology at Sonoma State University, is a facilitator with Climate Farm School (https://terra.do/climate-education/cohort-courses/climate-farm-school-regenerative-agriculture/), an instructor and mentor with Agroecology Commons (https://www.agroecologycommons.org/), and the co-director of Celebrating Womxn’s Leadership in Food (https://foundationsandthefuture.wordpress.com/).