Why Study Food and Agriculture?
Located in the vibrant Pacific Northwest, one of the premier regions for food and agriculture studies, this path emphasizes hands-on learning through sustainable food production and community-based projects.
The Food and Agriculture Path supports students as they delve into food and agriculture science and policy, social justice, and the cultural, literary, and media dimensions of these fields through our farm-to-table curriculum. With our innovative and impactful learning experiences, students can forge meaningful connections with their studies by bridging theory and practice through this path.
Food and agriculture graduates pursue graduate school and careers in food and beverage industries, agricultural research, production and education, cooperative development, nutrition, policy-making, activism, landscape restoration, organic inspection and certification, permaculture, and as owner-operators of successful family farms. Our campus farm, food-safe laboratory, and class field trips help students experience a wide range of career options, and faculty help each student define their unique path to reach their goals.
Join the Food and Agriculture Path
By joining this Path, you will receive advising opportunities specific to this Path.
Contact an Advisor to Get Started
Affiliate with the Food and Agriculture Path
Follow This Path
Our programs and courses encompass topics across agriculture, food justice, food systems, and food studies. Through this path, students have the opportunity to engage directly with organic farming techniques, explore the complexities of our food systems on a macro scale, and investigate the cultural significance of diverse cuisines, among other exciting topics.
Getting Started
Get Involved with Food and Agriculture
Whether you are a new student or just new to this Path, check out the New Student Handbook to learn how to get started at Evergreen and find your people on campus.
- Meet students and faculty in your path by attending path events
- Take a First-year program to explore a variety of subjects and disciplines
- Attend the Academic Fair to meet faculty and learn about upcoming programs
- Get guidance on your academic journey and career goals by meeting with an Academic Advisor or Faculty member
- Engage in campus culture by attending club meetings and campus events like lectures, films, and performances
- Attend the Academic Fair to meet faculty and learn about upcoming programs
Years 1 - 2
Try new things and explore all your options
- Take an entry level program associated with the Food and Agriculture Path, this will prepare you for intermediate and advanced study later
- Take the time to explore, your Evergreen experience should be your own, we recommend taking an additional interdisciplinary program outside the path (like math, science, or art) for at least one quarter
- Consider a single-subject language course or taking a program with a language component to prepare you for global learning
- Stay in touch with your faculty and get support and mentorship by attending their office hours
- Get involved with Student Groups related to your interests and academic goals
- Engage in campus culture by attending campus events like the farm stand, Jose Gomez Farmworker Justice Day, and Harvest Fest
Year 3
Dig deep and strengthen your connections
- Now that you have a few years under your belt, it’s time to take intermediate and intermediate-to-advanced level programs that incorporate individual projects and out-of-class experiences
- Start thinking about ways to gain experience outside of your programs, like through an Internship or Study Abroad program
- Consider registering for a Summercourse or program or applying for a paid Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship
- Plan your final year by connecting with your faculty and Academic Advisor to plan your capstone, your final programs, and what you may need for careers or graduate school
Year 4
Finish strong and get ready for your next steps
- Take intermediate-to-advanced and advanced level programs focusing on your chosen field or discipline
- If you have room to take a few extra credits, consider registering for a Study Abroad experience or a single-subject course to round out your schedule
- Design and complete your capstone with the support of your faculty
- Connect with your faculty and Academic Advisor to make plans for applying for jobs or graduate school
Capstone
A Capstone is a final project or experience, usually done in your final year, created to demonstrate your knowledge and abilities in your chosen skill area. Your capstone will demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities you have gained at Evergreen and is a great way to showcase what you have learned in a way that matters to you.
Capstone projects in the Food and Agriculture Path illustrate the wisdom of poet laureate Joy Harjo’s suggestion that the world begins and will end at the kitchen table.
Capstone Design
Like everything else at Evergreen, your capstone experience is yours to customize. Capstones can take the form of a:
- Senior thesis
- Independent project
- Individual Study or Internship
- Study abroad experience
- Artistic portfolio
Planning Your Capstone
Your faculty will provide guidance on how best to blend subjects, academic and creative experiences, and your personal academic journey. Capstone opportunities are offered through various programs and experiences, some options are:
- The one-quarter program, “Food and Agriculture Projects” offered each year
- Individual Study – complete an ILC with a faculty sponsor; or complete an INT with a local farm, restaurant, community organization, or an organization abroad
Share Your Work
Successful projects are curated by students with faculty support on the Capstone Projects in Food and Agriculture WordPress. Students can share their work with community sponsors and contribute to an institutional website that lives beyond their programs.
Faculty Mentorship and Support
Faculty are always excited to talk about their fields and welcome students during their office hours to discuss your interests and answer questions about their Field of Study.
Faculty mentorship is a key piece of an Evergreen education. Your faculty are ready to support you not just through your course work, but through any experience you want to explore. Faculty act as mentors and advisors in many capacities and will be valuable resources throughout your academic journey and beyond.
We have a wide variety of faculty covering a range of disciplines ready to support you during your time at Evergreen.
Experiential Learning
Community Engagement, Internships, and Volunteering
You’ll engage with food justice and policy in the classroom and beyond with community partners in the non-profit industry as well as worker-owned cooperatives and small farms. Evergreen’s Center for Community-Based Learning and Action (CCBLA) works closely with students on this Path to give you opportunities for internships, volunteering, and making connections in the field.
The Organic Farm
Evergreen’s Organic Farm is a five-acre living laboratory that has helped launch countless student careers. The farm hosts the Practice of Organic Farming program from spring through fall each year to align with the growing season. Skills you’ll gain on the farm include:
- Organic growing methods
- Crop botany
- Planting, maintaining, and harvesting crops
- Animal husbandry (chickens and bees)
- Permaculture design process for food, water, and energy systems
- Sales, marketing, and business
- Creating value-added products
- Integrated pest management
- Teamwork, leadership, and communication skills
Campus Gardens
Students on this Path are passionate about working in the earth. You’ll find lots of opportunities to work with fellow students, staff, and faculty while learning about the many types of gardens on campus.
- Evergreen community gardens near campus housing
- Demeter’s garden
- Ethnobotanical garden at the Indigenous arts campus
- Shellfish garden
- Medicinal herb garden
The Changemaker Lab
The Changemaker Lab is a powerful learning community based on teamwork, leadership, community empowerment, and making our world a better place. Collaborate on social entrepreneurship projects with team entrepreneurs from all over the world. Decide how you want to learn in a democratic, interdisciplinary environment. Learn more about the Changemaker Lab in the Academic Catalog
Sustainable Agriculture Lab
The Sustainable Agriculture Lab is where you can get hands-on with food science and much more at Evergreen. Tasting and working with food is a crucial part of some programs on this Path. This food-grade space will be your laboratory to discover food on a new level.
Study Abroad
The study abroad options on this Path are world-class learning opportunities. Travel with a tight-knit community or through an Individual Learning Contract to explore the cultures and history of people around the world.
Programs on this Path have traveled to:
- Basque Country, Spain
- China
- Costa Rica
- Jamaica
- Nicaragua
- Peru