Sustainable Farming and Food Systems

The Sustainable Farming and Food Systems program emphasizes the practical skills it takes to manage a small, diverse farm, while providing students with a broad exposure to the social and ecological considerations of truly sustainable food production and distribution. Students in the program take courses in entrepreneurship, accounting, environmental studies, biology, and unique food systems seminars. They will apply this knowledge on a working farm located on the College's main campus and work closely with food retailers, restaurants, as well as the College Eatery and the College’s Coltivare culinary center in downtown Ithaca as part of the College's unique Farm to Bistro concept.

Sustainable Farming and Food Systems

Careers on Career Coach

This program has wide appeal to students with diverse career goals. Those wishing to become farmers will gain practical on-farm experience with issues such as spring planning, farm management, pest control, harvesting techniques, and post-harvest handling. Students who wish to work more broadly with community groups in advocacy positions will find courses that emphasize social issues, ecological relationships, and ethical considerations. Learn more about related jobs: 

Program Chairs

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Susan Stafford

Professor

Sue Stafford brings 30 years of experience in the hospitality industry to her position in the classroom as chair of the Hotel and Restaurant Management, Culinary Arts, and Wine Marketing Degree Programs. She was also instrumental in the development of the farm to bistro concept, which features an organic farm on campus that provides fresh produce to the College's downtown Ithaca restaurant and culinary center, Coltivare.

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Chef Amanda Bisson

Amanda Bisson

Assistant Professor

Chef Amanda Bisson joined TC3 in 2017 as an educator in both culinary arts and sustainable farming. With over 10 years’ experience in both industries, she offers a wealth of knowledge to students in the Farm to Bistro learning community. Chef Bisson strongly believes in partnerships between chefs and farmers and their capacity to impact community food systems. “Culinary Arts is not just a career; it is a language, a science, an art, and comes with social responsibility to our community” she says. 

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Transfer Options

Although this curriculum is not primarily designed for transfer, students may work with their advisor to design a program of study populated by courses that transfer to programs offered by 4-year institutions. Recent graduates have transferred to the Cornell University College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Hampshire College, SUNY ESF, Unity College, Binghamton University, and other 4-year colleges.

 

Degree Requirements

A.A.S.
Minimum Credits for Graduation: 60 credits

Fall Term 1

CAPS121, Introduction to Spreadsheets, 1 cr. Schedule: Sp, Su, Fa, Wi
ENGL100, Academic Writing I, 3 cr. Schedule: Sp, Su, Fa, Wi
ENVS101, Introduction to Environmental Science, 3 cr. Schedule: Sp, Su, Fa, Wi
ENVS110, Food Systems I: Introduction to the U.S. Food System, 3 cr. Schedule: Sp, Su, Fa, Wi
ENVS116, Soil Science, 3 cr. Schedule: Sp, Su, Fa, Wi
Choose one from the courses listed below:
Minimum credits required: 0
BUAD103, Entrepreneurship I Schedule: Sp, Su, Fa, Wi
BUAD106, Foundations of Business Schedule: Sp, Su, Fa, Wi

Spring Term 1

BIOL119, Botany, 3 cr. Schedule: Sp, Su, Fa, Wi
ENGL101, Academic Writing II, 3 cr. Schedule: Sp, Su, Fa, Wi
ENVS111, Food System II: Food Movements, 3 cr. Schedule: Sp, Su, Fa, Wi
ENVS141, Agroecology, 3 cr. Schedule: Sp, Su, Fa, Wi
ENVS142, Spring Farming Internship, 2 cr. Schedule: Sp, Su, Fa, Wi
Select a minimum of 3 credits from the courses listed below:
MATH109, Statistical Literacy, 3 cr.
MATH120, College Algebra, 4 cr.
MATH122, Technical Mathematics, 3 cr.
MATH138, Precalculus Mathematics, 4 cr.
MATH200, Statistics, 3 cr.
MATH201, Calculus I, 4 cr.
MATH202, Calculus II, 4 cr.
MATH203, Calculus III, 4 cr.
MATH206, Differential Equations, 4 cr.
MATH216, Discrete Mathematics, 4 cr.
Use Schedule Search for electives

Summer Term 1

Minimum Total Semester Credits: 12
ENVS202, Integrated Pest Management, 3 cr. Schedule: Sp, Su, Fa, Wi
ENVS203, Summer Farming Internship, 3 cr. Schedule: Sp, Su, Fa, Wi
Choose one from the courses listed below:
Minimum credits required: 3
ENGL201, Public Speaking Schedule: Sp, Su, Fa, Wi
ENGL204, Interpersonal Communication Schedule: Sp, Su, Fa, Wi
ENGL210, Intercultural Communication Schedule: Sp, Su, Fa, Wi
Select a minimum of 3 credits from the courses listed below:
Recommended Electives: ACCT 101, BIOL 102, BIOL 104, BIOL 105, BIOL 114, BIOL 211, BUAD 103, BUAD 106, CAPS 152, CHEM 107, CHEM 108, CULI 101, CULI 120, FITN 170, HLTH 215, HRMG courses, HSTY 202, SPAN 101, SPAN 102, or WINE courses. Students may also wish to consider Study Abroad trips to Italy (HRMG 220 and ANTH 261) or Colombia (HSTY/POSC 260 and BIOL 116). Nine total Unrestricted Elective credits are required in the degree program.
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Use Schedule Search for electives

Fall Term 2

Minimum Total Semester Credits: 17
ENVS112, Food Systems III: Identity, Ethics, and Culture in the Global Food System, 3 cr. Schedule: Sp, Su, Fa, Wi
ENVS117, Fall Farming Internship, 2 cr. Schedule: Sp, Su, Fa, Wi
ENVS285, Sustainable Farming and Food Systems Capstone, 3 cr. Schedule: Sp, Su, Fa, Wi
Select a minimum of 3 credits from the courses listed below:
Recommended Electives: ACCT 101, BIOL 102, BIOL 104, BIOL 105, BIOL 114, BIOL 211, BUAD 103, BUAD 106, CAPS 152, CHEM 107, CHEM 108, CULI 101, CULI 120, FITN 170, HLTH 215, HRMG courses, HSTY 202, SPAN 101, SPAN 102, or WINE courses. Students may also wish to consider Study Abroad trips to Italy (HRMG 220 and ANTH 261) or Colombia (HSTY/POSC 260 and BIOL 116). Nine total Unrestricted Elective credits are required in the degree program.
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Use Schedule Search for electives
Select a minimum of 4 credits from the courses listed below:
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Use Schedule Search for electives


SUNY General Education and Tompkins Cortland Liberal Arts courses

Note: The @ symbol represents any course number or discipline. For example, BIOL @ means any course with a Biology course prefix. An @ alone means one course in any course discipline with any course number.

Featured Faculty

  • Todd McLane

    Director, TC3 Farm
    Adjunct Associate Professor, Sustainable Farming and Food Systems

    Todd McLane, the Director of the TC3 Farm, originally hails from Central New Jersey and is a graduate of the University at Albany-SUNY.

Student Showcase