Farm and Food Systems Overview The Farm and Food Systems initiative at Greenfield Community College provides students with an interdisciplinary understanding of the ecological, economic, political, and social systems as they relate to food and farming. Additionally, students learn hands-on skills through internships and applied courses such as Mushroom Foraging and Cultivation, Permaculture Design, Beekeeping, Four Season Farming, Organic Gardening, Food Preservation and Introduction to Food Systems. Students can expect to participate in community efforts to support regional food security, local economies, and planning for resiliency. What You'll StudyCourse Sequencing LFF The option explores the broad field of sustainable farming and food systems. It provides students with an interdisciplinary understanding of the ecological, economic, political, and social systems as they relate to food and farming. Through additional applied courses and internships, students learn hands-on skills such as food cultivation, preservation, processing, techniques for propagation, and season-extension, and design of annual and perennial production systems. Students engage in community partnerships and participate in bioregional efforts to support food security, local economies, and planning for resiliency. Please note that transfer to many four-year colleges and universities may require the completion of four sequential semesters of World Languages. Transfer specialists recommend using electives to start language requirements at the community college prior to transfer. Curriculum Documents Farm and Food Systems (LFF) required courses - from our official academic catalog Degree completion worksheets to track your progress in this program are available from the Registrar's Office. To plan degree completion, see the course descriptions in the academic catalog which specify the planned semester(s) in which required classes are to be scheduled. This is just one way you might complete the Farm and Food Systems program in 4 semesters over 2 years of full-time study, or 8 semesters over 4 years of part-time study. (Sample course sequences assume that all pre-requisites have been satisfied and the student is prepared for college-level work.) For a detailed list of required courses, optional electives and program information, download the Farm and Food Systems program description from our official academic catalog.Course descriptions are also available in the catalog. Find courses Sample 2 Year Sequence of Courses Fall 1Spring 1Fall 2Spring 2 EVS 118 ENG Comp. I BIO 102 or SCI 138 Behavioral Science elective AGR 113 EVS 101 ENG Comp. II MAT course History course AGR 110 and AGR 111 ENG 200 level course SCI 138 or BIO 102 Open Elective AGR 114 and AGR 115 Open elective BIO 124 or SCI 137 HUM elective BUS 111 or BUS 114 Open elective Sample 4 Year Sequence of Courses Fall 1Spring 1Fall 2Spring 2ENG Comp. I EVS 118 AGR 113 ENG Comp. II MAT course AGR 111 SCI 138 or BIO 102 EVS 101 AGR 114 Open Elective BIO 124 or SCI 137 AGR 110 Fall 3Spring 3Fall 4Spring 4BIO 102 or SCI 138 Behavioral Science elective AGR 115 History course BUS 111 or BUS 114 ENG 200 level course Open Elective HUM elective Open elective Program Learning Outcomes Students completing a course of study in this program will be able to: Appreciate diverse cultural and individual perspectives Describe diverse agricultural, economic, and social systems as they relate to food and farming; Solve problems working with diverse classmates, community partners, and college instructors with various backgrounds. Solve problems collaboratively Collaborate on group hands-on projects such as building beehives, low tunnels, or garden beds; undertake shared research questions such as evaluating enterprise models from cooperatives to sole proprietorship; co-create final products such as permaculture designs or mushroom logs; participate in group projects and deliver group presentations. Reason and act ethically Understand implications of complex ethical questions about land use and food systems; demonstrate the ability to reason and think critically about ecological challenges in farming; articulate social justice issues related to food security and access to affordable, nutritious food. Demonstrate civic knowledge and engagement Apply theory learned in coursework to civic engagement activities in the local food community such as volunteering at soup kitchens or gleaning produce for equitable distribution to food pantries; create reflection papers to integrate experience with theory after service activity is completed. Communicate in various modes and media Develop written, graphic, and public speaking skills to communicate complex issues to a diverse audience; explain comprehension gained during internships through online blog posts and photographs. Use quantitative concepts and processes Understand quantitative data such as food safety temperatures, soil texture, growing degree days, storm water calculations, solar exposure, etc. Locate, evaluate, and use various sources of information Develop research skills and assess viability of information; demonstrate competency finding information with library database, online resources, Moodle, and community knowledge. Explore the natural and physical world Observe and analyze patterns and processes in ecological systems; gain competency with identification of plants, soils, water drainage patterns, wind patterns, and seasonal cycles; Increase familiarity with elements of the natural world. Think creatively and critically Apply critical thinking skills to challenges that arise in farming and in food systems; Develop ability to generate creative solutions that can support resource conservation, food accessibility, economic viability, etc. Apply, integrate, and synthesize learning Synthesize knowledge and experience gained through the interdisciplinary curricula of social sciences, natural sciences, business, and agriculture courses. What's Next Transfer to a Baccalaureate program in Sustainable Food and Farming or apply gained knowledge to jobs in sustainable farming, agriculture policy, food-related enterprises, or food systems planning. Consider this program if You want a broad as well as deep understanding of sustainable farming practices. You want to work in fields related to local food production. You want to pursue higher academic or technical study in sustainable farming, permaculture, agriculture, or food systems planning. By taking classes in a Liberal Arts option, students complete courses that help develop 100 and 200 course level knowledge and skills in a particular field. If you don't satisfy the requirements of a specific Liberal Arts option, you may still be able to fulfill the requirements of another option, or fulfill the requirements of the Liberal Arts General degree. Students are advised to work closely with their GCC advisor to select the specific courses that will help meet their career or transfer goals. Note: Students who complete a Liberal Arts option will graduate with the degree "Associate in Arts in Liberal Arts." Your area of concentration is reflected only in your transcript, not your diploma.