From Farm to Fork: Sustainable Food Systems

elective courses
general courses

Classroom

In this course, students will examine the sustainability of different types of agri-food systems and interactions between them and the broader environment, including rural-urban synergies. By adopting the broader life cycle thinking perspective, they will gain an in-depth understanding of sustainability challenges underpinning agri-food systems and the ability to propose integrated solutions to those challenges. Students will examine concepts such as (urban) agroecology, circular economy, organic farming and organic agriculture movements, permaculture, food-water-energy nexus, seeds sovereignty and socio-ecological resilience of local food systems. They will also become knowledgeable of policies shaping the contemporary agri-food systems. The course will also involve interactive session on envisioning and designing more sustainable and circular food systems.

Altieri, M. A. (2018) Agroecology: The Science Of Sustainable Agriculture, Second Edition. CRC Press, New York.

Andersen, C.R., Bruil, J., Chappell, M.J., Kiss, C., Pimbert, M.P. Agroecology Now! Transformations Towards More Just and Sustainable Food Systems. Palgrave Macmillan, Switzerland. https://library.oapen.org/bitstream/handle/20.500.12657/46819/2021_Book_AgroecologyNow.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y

Blay-Palmer, A. (2010) Imagining Sustainable Food Systems. Routedge, London.

Sensing, J., Cremades, R. & Leeuwen, E. (2023) Cities can steer circular food systems at scale. Nature Food 4, 4.

Shiva, V. (2016) Seed Sovereignty, Food Security. North Atlantic Books, Berkeley, California.

Wezel, A., Bellon, S., Doré, T. et al. (2009) Agroecology as a science, a movement and a practice. A review. Agron. Sustain. Dev. 29, 503–515. https://doi.org/10.1051/agro/2009004

KNOWLEDGE

- Ability to critically interrogate and assess the concept of sustainable and circular food systems, agroecology, organic farming, permaculture (knows differences between those concepts)

- Understanding of the major challenges and opportunities associated with sustainable food systems

- Understanding of foundational agroecological principles, including relationships between agricultural systems and surrounding ecosystems (including actors from-farm-to-fork)

- Ability to critically assess how agri-food policies can support urban-rural linkages and guide the transition to Sustainable (Agri-)Food Systems.

SKILLS

- Development of critical thinking skills when designing and building circular food systems

- Development of analytical and policy analysis skills when analyzing policies shaping the contemporary agri-food systems

- Development of creativity, systems thinking and teamwork skills

- Ability to identify and assess challenges and opportunities when designing Circular Food Systems

COMPETENCIES

- Readiness to make significant contributions to agri-food strategies and projects at the local, regional and national level

- Ability to make conscious food choices that do not have negative social and environmental repercussions

Class attendance, readings, and participation – 20%

Group project – 40%

Individual project – 40%