Sustainable Farming and Food Systems Degree Program

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Sustainable Farming and Food Systems at Tompkins Cortland Community College (TC3) in Dryden, New York

Apply now for Summer or Fall 2016

The Sustainable Farming and Food Systems Program emphasizes the practical skills it takes to manage a small, diverse farm, while providing students with broad exposure to the social and ecological considerations of sustainable food production and distribution systems. Students in the program take courses in Soil Science, Agroecology, Integrated Pest Management, Entrepreneurship, Environmental Studies, Biology, and Food Systems. Classroom knowledge is applied through a hands-on curriculum to the working farm located on TC3’s main campus. Students work closely with food retailers, restaurants, as well as the TC3 Eatery and the College’s Coltivare culinary center in downtown Ithaca as part of the College’s unique Farm to Bistro concept.

The program of Sustainable Farming and Food Systems at TC3 should have 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. Students wishing to work in the emerging area of good food jobs will receive focused training in key elements of the sustainable food system.

At the TC3 Farm, students learn about organic production, and diversified marketing of local products. As one half of the College’s Farm to Bistro program, the TC3 Farm is located adjacent to the College’s Dryden campus and supplies fresh produce to the College’s downtown Ithaca restaurant and culinary center, Coltivare. The farm also operates a CSA, sells to local restaurants, and provides food for campus dining services.

Campus Housing and Financial Aid are available for this program.

Find out more about the Sustainable Farming and Food Systems Program including specific course requirements at the TC3 website.

If you have questions about the degree program, contact Taylor Reid, Program Chair at tcr002@tc3.edu.