Seed Matters: Exploring the Human Relationship to Agricultural Seed

In this course, we will examine how seeds are an integral part of human well-being. Diving into examples such as coffee, cotton, and corn, we will explore questions such as: How were plants domesticated and how do humans manipulate plants through plant breeding? How do intellectual property rights and international policies affect farmer sovereignty over seed? How has seed been a driver of economic and landscape change throughout human history? The class will feature hands-on activities and will culminate with a student project that further explores the human relationship to seeds as a source of food, fiber, and fuel. This course counts as a cognate for ENVS majors who have a focus in the natural sciences.