ENVS 009. Our Food


(Cross-listed as BIOL 009 )
The scale and efficiency of our food system is one of the marvels of the modern world. Yet in many ways this system is broken. This course will address the current state of our agricultural food system from scientific, humanitarian and sustainability perspectives, focusing on the U.S. 

Each student will grow crop plants and maintain a micro-garden plot on campus, as well as develop educational signage for the public that conveys information about agriculture and/or food systems. The scale and efficiency of our food system is one of the marvels of the modern world. Yet in many ways this system is broken. This course will address the current state of our agricultural food system from scientific, humanitarian and sustainability perspectives, focusing on the U.S. Each student will grow crop plants, maintain two micro-garden plots on campus with harvest giveaways, and visit a production farm(s). Three full hours of class/lab and one floating hour of asynchronous lecture/fieldwork per week.
Natural sciences and engineering.
1 credit.
Eligible for ENVS, ESCH
Fall 2026. Pfluger.
Catalog chapter: Environmental Studies  
Department website: http://www.swarthmore.edu/environmental-studies


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