There’s no better place to learn about the environment and sustainability than Vermont. Like no other school, UVM leads the way in integrating green and environmentally responsible practices and has received numerous high rankings in ratings of green colleges. Additionally, the state of Vermont has ranked at the top of “greenest state” lists for several years running. UVM is situated on a hilltop cradled by Vermont’s Green Mountains to the east and Lake Champlain and New York’s Adirondack Mountains to the West. Imagine a day in this stunning setting filled with stimulating presentations, lectures, site visits, hallway conversations, group projects, networking, panel discussions, and meals with new friends. Days are a combination of classroom time and excursions.
Ecological Farm & Garden Systems (61277 – PSS 095 – SW1)
The course is an intensive two week farm and classroom experience where students learn about sustainable farming systems from three successful local farms, the educational farm site of the Farmer Training Program and classroom lessons. It provides a hands-on farming experience in conjunction with classroom learning to explore different farm business models, production styles and marketing techniques. By working and learning on these different farms, students will learn foundational concepts of small scale farming and deepen that understanding through comparing and contrasting local, innovative, sustainable farming systems. Course learning objectives/ outcomes: Students gain insight into the business, technical, and lifestyle aspects of being a small scale farmer in Vermont Students learn some of the production and marketing techniques for running a farm business. Students become familiar with farm implements and compare and contrast human power and tractor power Students become part of a peer group with similar interests for future support and continued learning.
Mountains, Rivers, and Glaciers (GEOL 095 Z1, 3 credits)
This geology course introduces the dynamic Earth and will give students the tools to understand the landscape around them. How do high mountains rise and fall? Erosion by rivers and glaciers plays an important role in both building mountains and destroying them. Understanding mountains requires an interdisciplinary approach that includes plate tectonics as well as climate and erosion. You’ll leave this course with the tools to understand how mountains work and a deep understanding of Earth’s atmosphere, crust, and mantle as well as their sometimes dramatic interactions. (No prerequisite).
