Below is a list of interdisciplinary classes developed within the Field & Fork Farm and Gardens. In addition, the program hosts many classes across UF that are designed to provide students with hands-on exploration of the food system. For more information about current class offerings, visit our Facebook page.
ALS 4914 – Project Team Research: Exploring Agricultural Biodiversity, 3 credits (Spring 2023)
Gain hands-on experience exploring agricultural diversity in many forms! In this class, students will work with the Field & Fork Program and Dr. Charlie Messina, and community partner Working Food, to develop, implement, and analyze field research experiments and variety trials for the wide world of broccoli! Work with local chefs to test out recipes for the varieties, explore diversified farming operations, and create outreach materials to share about the journey. Contact Dr. Liebowitz for more information.
ALS 4914 – Project Team Research: Exploring Diversified Farms , 3 credits (Spring 2022)
Students will work with the Field & Fork Program and community partner Working Food to conduct field research experiments and variety trials for mustard plants! Students will develop field trials for comparing variety strengths, and community taste preference trials to explore flavor profiles. The class will explore diversified farming operations, work with local chefs to test out recipes for the varieties, and create outreach materials to share about the journey. Contact Dr. Liebowitz for more information.
ALS 4914 – Project Team Research: Testing Sustainability, 3 credits (Spring 2021)
Did you know that more than 15 *billion* packages are shipped per year in the US right now? Many of these use Styrofoam and other materials used to insulate and protect the contents, but these materials can pollute the environment for up to a million years, creating an enormous sustainability problem. The Illuminate Group developed novel cold-chain shipping material made of wood, and we will work with our industry partner to field test its compostability. This course provides hands-on experience in addressing a real-world question faced by our agricultural industry partner, The Illuminate Group. It guides students through the process of working in teams to develop a professional research plan, collect and analyze field research data, and present results to clients. The final project will consist of a written report and a video mini-documentary that will be submitted to the faculty instructor and shared in a group presentation to the industry representatives. This course will emphasize three main themes woven throughout the semester: 1) Research design and field research skills, 2) Composting and sustainability themes, and 3) communications and project management skills.
ALS 4914, Section 3E84 – Project Team Research: Building Skills in Agrobiology, Protecting Biodiversity in our Food System, 3 credits (Spring 2020)
In this course, students gain hands-on experience solving real problems faced by agricultural industries and organizations. Working with the Field and Fork Program, the Center for Stress Resilient Agriculture, and Working Food, students will explore how new, open-pollinated kale varieties thrive in the uniquely challenging environmental conditions in Florida. Interdisciplinary teams of students will design, implement, evaluate, and present results for a trial of genetically diverse kale varieties. Students will grow the kale varieties at the Field and Fork Farm, and will engage with the community through exploring consumer preference and marketability for these varieties with farmers, gardeners, and local food consumers at farmers markets. The Center for Stress Resilient Agriculture and the Field and Fork Campus Food Program at UF developed this new course to create and guide interdisciplinary student teams to tackle a current project provided by a community partner.
ALS 3030C – Urban Agriculture, 3 credits
Urban agriculture is often promoted as an alternative to challenges in agriculture and food systems, including labor challenges, natural resources management, health, access, etc. Its possibilities, however, are limited for a number of reasons, including availability and cost of land, the lack of labor and interest in agriculture, and the gentrification of communities. This course examines the limits and possibilities of urban agriculture’s contribution to the food system. The course is reading and discussion-driven and has a significant hands-on project component. During the in-class sessions, students discuss readings and hear from guest speakers involved in Florida’s urban agriculture movement. The field component of the course is devoted to work at the Field & Fork Farm and Gardens. Students also complete service hours at community gardens and urban farms in the area. This course is ideal for students interested in sustainable agriculture, community gardening, community development, public health, social work, urban sociology, urban geography, planning and sustainability.
ALS 4932 – Resilient Agriculture Project Class, 3 credits
The Center for Stress Resilient Agriculture and the Field & Fork’s Alan and Cathy Hitchcock Pantry have developed this course to bring together a diverse set of students during a semester. This course will provide a hands-on opportunity for students to work in interdisciplinary teams tackling an actual existing project provided by an industry or other organizational partner under the mentorship of faculty and organizational representatives. Through this guided team approach, students will work to provide a detailed plan and design, along with relevant preliminary data, that will result in scientific evaluation and possible solution as part of the project. Students also develop professional skills through a series of in-class and online modules emphasizing the following areas: project management; working in interdisciplinary teams; practicing oral and written communication; considering creative, multi-disciplinary approaches to tackling problems; and formulating, designing, and presenting approaches in an effective way.
ALS 4932 – Community Gardening, 1 credit
In this course, students explore community gardening concepts, and learn the skills necessary to run a successful garden. In addition to lecture and discussions, a major focus of the course is learning in the fields at the Field and Fork Student Gardens. During in-class sessions, students will discuss readings that highlight different structures and management techniques for community gardens. They will also learn strategies for basic gardening management, such as soil health, irrigation, crop selection, pest and disease management, and harvest/post-harvest handling. Along with daily production activities and demonstrations, the field component of the class will incorporate a group project to develop a demonstration or interpretive component for the Gardens. This course is ideal for students interested in sustainable agriculture, community gardening, community development, public health, social work, urban sociology, urban geography, planning, and sustainability.
UF Classes with Field & Fork Excursions, 2018-2022:
- Agricultural Ecology (ALS 3153)
- Alternative Crop Systems (AGR 4212)
- Art and Tech Grad Seminar: Sustainability or What Sustains (ART6933)
- Community Nutrition (DIE 3310)
- Conservation Clinic (Levin School of Law)
- Conservation of Natural Resources (GEO3372 – 4G94 (13113))
- Eco-civic Engagement (EVS 4932/FOR 4934)
- Ecology and Conservation of Pollinators (ENY 4208)
- Environmental Change and Environmental Justice (CCJ 4934 (2B81)/ SYA 4930 (2H44))
- Environmental Nutrient Management (SWS 4116/5115)
- Environmental Science Lab (EVS 3000)
- Evaluating Health Education Programs (HSC6712)
- Evaluating Programs in Extension Education (AEC 6552)
- Fighting Food waste and Loss (HOS 2333)
- First Year Florida (SLS 1102, multiple sections)
- Food and Culture (ANT3467)
- Food, Art, and Technology (ART 4639)
- Greenhouse and Nursery Crop Culture (ORH 4264)
- Invasive Species Boot Camp (Lucky Lab, Entomology and Nematology Department)
- Issues in Agricultural and Life Science (AEC 3065)
- Mint Design Studio (College of Art)
- Population Health Student Teams (UF College of Nursing)
- Post-Harvest Operations Engineering (ABE4413C)
- Principles of Entomology (ENY 5006)
- Principles of Plant Science (PLS 3004C)
- Professional Writing in the Discipline: Nature Writing (ENC3254)
- Quest 1: The Good Life (IDS 1161)
- Quest 2: Feeding the Planet: Nutrition, Sustainability, and Economics of Eating (IDS 2935)
- Quest 2: Living and Eating on Earth (IDS 2935)
- Quest 2: Wealth and Poverty in Today’s World (IDS 2935)
- Raíces (EDA 4930; Center for Inclusion and Multicultural Engagement)
- Religion and Food (REL 3140)
- Soil Microbial Ecology (SWS4303C)
- Soil, Water, and Land Use (SWS 4231/5234)
- Special Topics in Agricultural Operations Management: Controlled Environment Plant Production (AOM4932)
- Vegetable Production (VEC 3221C)
- World Herbs and Vegetables (VEC 2100)
