by admin on August 26, 2011
On the 3rd day of the Summit, the delegates worked together to identify the food issues that important to them as members of the community. It was intense day of discussion and debate that resulted in a document that will act as a starting point for on-going consultations with students from across the Canada. Meal Exchange and Sierra Youth Coalition will be seeking feedback on this document until Dec 16, 2011.
Starting in January, we’ll be working with campuses as they use the final draft of the Charter to create a food charter for their campus.
by admin on August 3, 2011
Our closest, most intimate, most essential connection with our environment is through food. That’s a basic theme for National BBQ Day and the National Student Food Summit, and it runs through so many of the discussions going on these days around food and agriculture. It’s also motivated us at Trent University to develop a new degree program in Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems (www.trentu.ca/agriculture).
Here’s what we’re up to at Trent. We already offer one of Canada’s biggest environmental studies and science programs. And starting in September 2011 we will be offering a B.A. and B.Sc. degree program in Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems. Students will be able to choose amongst nearly 40 courses covering the scientific, political, and social aspects of food and agriculture. We’ll be emphasizing sustainable approaches to agriculture, and understanding food in its political and social contexts. Our aim is to help students make sense of what is going on in food issues today: everything from the environmental dimensions of agriculture to the politics of buying local and the global food trade. Jointly with Sandford Fleming College, we also plan to offer opportunities to get a practical education in farming. Students can also get involved in our student-run organic café, the Seasoned Spoon, or work in our on-campus gardens and farm fields.
This program is a natural for Trent, and for our environmental science and studies program. And with our partners in Trent’s Anthropology, Biology, International Development Studies and other departments, we’re looking forward to welcoming students who want to learn more about agriculture and food. Want more information? Just write me, at sbocking@trentu.ca.
Stephen Bocking
Chair, Environmental and Resource Science/Studies Program
Trent University
