Introduction to Agrifood Systems

How do agricultural and food systems intersect with the polycrises confronting us, including climate change, political instability, and systemic and structural oppression? In this course, we will learn to apply a critical systems thinking approach to our engagement with agrifood systems. We begin by exploring the principles and processes of complex systems and how these apply to agriculture and food. Weaving together critical studies and systems thinking, we will identify how power operates within agrifood systems. We conclude by applying our learning to complex issues including climate change, conservation, political polarization, and health. Throughout the semester, we will learn from a diverse array of materials, moving beyond the written word and academic content to weave together diverse voices and knowledges. (Not open to students who have already completed FOOD 0380.)

Katie Horner '10 is a researcher and educator with the Institute for Agroecology. Some of her recent work has explored the social elements of soil health, alternative models of farmland access, and barriers to just transitions in Vermont. Prior to academic work, Katie spent years farming in Vermont and California. She still maintains a strong connection to agrarian communities here in Vermont through research partnerships and her work as a board member for Rural Vermont.