The Institute is committed to the cultivation of vibrant undergraduate learning communities, offering students the opportunity to engage at various levels within the agrifood system (e.g. social movements, on-farm production, foodways, etc.) and across multiple contexts (e.g. different cultures, bioregions, etc.). We believe that higher education plays a critical role in agroecological transitions as it can provide the foundational experiences and knowledge to support the next generation of agroecology leaders. For more information contact Vic Izzo, Head of Undergrauate Education for IFA.

 

Bachelor of Science in Agroecology & Landscape Design

With its home in UVM's Department of Plant & Soil Science, this curriculum teaches students how to support transformations within current agri-food and land management systems with the use of ecologically sound and socially just methods. By engaging with agroecology, our students build skills in agronomy, horticulture, environmental science, and ecology, as well as in community engagement to prepare them to be key collaborators and change-makers wherever agriculture, conservation, and policymaking converge. Students gain an understanding of agroecology through hands-on coursework, research, internships and projects with local and global stakeholders.

Global Experiences for Undergraduates

As a part of UVM’s commitment to international and intercultural experiences for undergraduate students, the IFA will create opportunities for undergraduate students to interact with our visiting scholars and agroecologists from around the globe including Latin America, Europe and Africa as well as US-based visitors whose work spans the globe. These opportunities will also be offered in collaboration with the UVM GO program.

Undergraduate Research Fellows

The Institute's Undergraduate Fellowship program provides upper division (3rd year +) UVM students with the opportunity to develop skills and gain the necessary knowledge to become student leaders in the Advanced Agroecology course offered within UVM’s Department of Plant & Soil Science. Fellows are encouraged to engage with project options that fulfill other academic (e.g. capstone projects), professional, or personal goals. Fellows are invited to connect with the Institute's community of faculty, staff and graduate students while they are embedded in a high-impact research and experiential learning experience. Click here for more information on the program and how to become a fellow.

Agroecology Extension (AX) Summer Research Fellows

The AX Summer Research Fellowship is a fully paid, 10-week research and outreach experience open to undergraduates from across the US. The program is collaboration between UVM Extension and the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, and is coordinated by the Institute for Agroecology located on UVM’s main campus in Burlington, VT. Fellows are matched with mentors engaged in various applied research and outreach projects including in pest management, vegetable/berry farming, fruit tree farming, ecological landscape design, environmental science, and sustainable cropping systems. Click here to learn more about the program and how to become a AX fellow and check out our video highlighting a past AX Fellowship project.

For more information on the Institute's undergraduate programming, contact our Lead of Undergraduate Programs, Vic Izzo.