Emerging Careers for Sustainable Agriculture and Food System Studies.

Due to the growing number of non-major students interested in sustainable agri-food fields of study, Michigan State University developed a flexible interdisciplinary curriculum in the form of a specialization (similar to a minor) in Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems (SAFS). Students enrolled in the SAFS program come from as many as seventeen different majors, with equally diverse career goals. The program provides agricultural and food system literacy, agroecological and food systems concepts, and hands-on community engagement learning experiences for appropriate skill and knowledge development. However, determining the appropriate skills and concepts critical to emerging alternative agricultural careers via academic voices alone may be inadequate. In association with the Center for Regional Food Systems, we are interviewing program alumni and key informants in complementary programs, as well as developing case studies of emerging agriculture and food system careers to better clarify and provide key competencies for a diverse sustainable agri-food system education. This presentation will explore the preliminary aspects of this study, and consider how the results may contribute to the SAFS program and similarly undergraduate agri-food system programs.