The Graduate College

Food Systems Continuing Education Programs

Students coming to UVM for non-degree experiences have access to UVM expertise and facilities. Continuing and distance education students increase UVM’s impact on the food system through short courses, professional development, and training for beginning farmers.

women pointing in a greenhouse

Full Certificate of Graduate Study in Agroecology

Find Solutions to Societal Issues Through the Lens of Our Food Systems


Rooted in “Participatory Action Research” (PAR), our program guides students to identify key questions and practice new methods for integrating data from multiple perspectives (farmers, academics, activists, policymakers, etc.). This is used to both better understand agrifood system issues, as well as search for solutions that show real promise to help resolve issues on the ground.

The coursework consists of four semester-long courses, including the Transformative Agroecology course (ALE 6110), three foundational classes (ALE 6120, ALE 6130, ALE 6140); and a final online capstone course, designed for the application of newly developed knowledge and skills in a culminating experience/project that addresses an agroecological topic relevant to the individual student.