Hungry For Change?

The Sustainable Agriculture and Community Food Systems (SAG) program prepares students for careers in sustainable farming and food systems from farm-to-fork and is customizable based on your interests and passion for the future of food and agriculture.

From the classroom to the fields, you will learn about the complex scientific and social factors that influence food systems worldwide. Our interdisciplinary SAG degree program is designed to prepare students to work at the intersection of environmental stewardship, economic profitability, and social responsibility in food and farming systems.

You can choose one of two tracks in either Farming Systems or Community Food Systems. Students pursuing the Farming Systems track take elective courses in the plant, soil, and animal sciences, and are prepared for careers in farming and allied industries. Students interested in the Community Food Systems track take elective courses in rural sociology, dietetics and human nutrition, agricultural economics, and other social sciences. Each track allows for flexibility according to your specific interests and can incorporate minors and certificates as part of the major.

Careers

The Sustainable Agriculture and Community Food Systems degree will prepare you for opportunities in conservation, agriculture, and business in addition to diverse opportunities in Extension and the non-profit sector.

  • Agronomist
  • Apiarist
  • Conservation specialist
  • Distillation sciences
  • Educator
  • Entrepreneur
  • Extension agent
  • Farm manager
  • Non-profit manager
  • Research scientist

Accelerate Your Career Into Graduate School

For highly motivated students, the opportunity exists to integrate up to 12 credit hours of undergraduate and graduate coursework through the Accelerated Master’s Pathways or AMP program. Students will save time and money by receiving dual credit for select courses taken during their senior year of undergraduate studies. Those interested in pursuing this path to a graduate degree should consult with their academic advisor.

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Find Your Pathway

The ethos of the SAG program is student success. Our SAG community is here to help you find the pathway that best fits your career and life goals. Whether you are joining the SAG community after high school, transferring from another college, following service in the military, or returning to school after working, our dedicated faculty and staff will work with you to help you reach your fullest potential. In the classroom or on the University of Kentucky organic farm, we partner with students throughout your time at UK.

Weighing food
Gerron and Hurt Food Prep

Get Involved

Through student organizations and The Food Connection, our students have many ways to learn outside the classroom, build community, and gain valuable leadership experience all along the farm-to-fork pathway. Our organizations help students connect with experts and develop workforce-ready skills while having fun and providing a service to the local community.

Experiential Learning

Hands-on learning is at the heart of what we do in SAG. Our program provides a welcoming learning atmosphere for students to practice what they learn in the classroom on the farm. From our community-supported agriculture apprenticeship and capstone courses to customizable experiential learning course, we will help you put theory into practice.

SAG 210 Introduction to Sustainable Agriculture and Community Food Systems

Students learn about the environmental, economic, and cultural components of sustainable food production and distribution.

SAG 310 Cultural Perspectives on Sustainability

Students examine the social processes and cultural mechanisms that underlie agricultural practices in the U.S. and abroad.

SAG 397 Apprenticeship in Sustainable Agriculture

Students gain hands-on experience operating an organic community supported agriculture produce farm.

SAG 490 Integration of Sustainable Agriculture Principles

Students complete a semester-long project and participate in field trips to visit exemplary agriculture sites locally and around the U.S.

Living Learning Program

The Living Learning Program (LLP) supports student success by placing students with similar interests into smaller communities in particular residence halls.

Academic Enrichment

Our college believes in learning by doing. Our students are required to complete at least one type of experiential or hands-on learning opportunity, such as undergraduate research, an internship or an education abroad experience.

Scholarships

Thanks to generous alumni, donors and community partners, we have one of the largest scholarship programs at UK. Only one application is required for our college’s scholarships, but there are hundreds of potential awards.

Student Services

We’re here to help you grow personally, academically and professionally.

Ready to turn your passion into a career?

Explore endless opportunities at the University of Kentucky and take the first step toward your future.

Academic Advisor II
Andrew Bond

Director of Undergraduate Studies
Karen Rignall, PhD

Faculty Director
Krista Jacobsen, PhD

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