This course will explore the role of sustainable and organic agriculture in global efforts at implementing the triple bottom line: economic, environmental, and social health. Technical aspects, such as soils management, will anchor discussions of regulatory actions, certification systems, economic competition, and labor issues. The work of international and national development organizations in the agricultural arena, such as FAO, IFOAM, or USAID will be evaluated as components of an international alternative agriculture regime. Students will gain substantive knowledge about global sustainable agriculture, its scientific, political, economic and legal aspects, learning to articulate both sides of serious debates in the field. Local sustainable agriculture professionals will discuss their domestic and international experience. Students are introduced to scientific methods that are used as a means for international agriculture. This field study course provides a research opportunity for student-directed work on international sustainable agriculture through field study course work at various locations here on the Central Coast.