Farm and Food Systems Farm and Food Systems Associate in Arts (Liberal Arts Option) Jump-start your career in sustainable food and farming with a thorough education in ecological, economic, political and social systems as they relate to food and farming. Request Information Apply Now Program Contact Anthony Reiber (413) 775-1366 reibera@gcc.mass.edu Program Overview Degree Requirements Learning Outcomes Faculty Career Outlook Upcoming Events Garden Clean Up Day Tuesday April 29 - 9:30am Labyrinth Clean Up Day Wednesday April 30 - 11:00am Permaculture Club Wednesday April 30 - 12:00pm Feed your curiosity and your community with the farm and food systems option in GCC’s liberal arts program. You’ll explore the broad field of sustainable farming and food systems, developing an interdisciplinary understanding of ecological, economic, political and social systems as they relate to food and farming. Additionally, you will 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. Our students also engage in community partnerships and participate in bioregional efforts to support food security, local economies and planning for resiliency. 60-62credits Associate in Arts Associate in Arts (AA) degrees are typically completed in two (2) years and designed for transfer Learn more TransferGuaranteed admission and streamlined transfer to four-year state schools through MassTransfer!Learn more What's Next?Upon degree completion, you’ll be able to apply your knowledge to jobs in sustainable farming, agriculture policy, food-related enterprises or food systems planning. You’ll also be prepared to transfer to a bachelor’s degree program in sustainable food and farming or similar disciplines and pursue higher-level positions in these fields. 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.