The Farm as a Classroom

The College Farm supports students from all disciplines in their pursuit to incorporate its resources into their academic interests. From art majors to biology majors, the farm has worked with students and faculty to develop relevant research topics that address sustainability, from food production to public art.

Faculty use the farm as a venue for research, labs, class visits and as a resource for course development. Students make use of the farm for internships and independent research projects.

Students and faculty have utilized the land and resources of the farm for course projects such as art installations, documenting the interactions between farm wildlife and farm ecology, stream health data collection, integrated pest management strategies and developing educational curricula for K-12 visitors.

Food Studies Certificate

Food Studies is the critical examination of food – the evolution of its procurement, production, consumption, and cultural meanings within the contexts of the natural and social sciences and humanities. It is a multidisciplinary field of study that involves and attracts philosophers, historians, scientists, literary and language scholars, artists, sociologists, art historians, anthropologists, nutritionists, psychologists, agriculturalists, economists, artists, film producers and critics, policy-makers, and consumers. Complex questions frame food studies: Where does food come from? Why do people eat what they eat? Are current food systems sustainable? What factors will shape the future of food systems, foodways, and food culture?

The Dickinson approach to Food Studies stands to contribute substantially to the development of engaged citizens who are well-equipped to participate thoughtfully and productively in the full range of endeavors that any liberal arts graduate might consider – in business, academia, non-profit work, policy-making, law, and medicine.

The Food Studies certificate exemplifies a useful education, one that affects every member of the community on a daily basis by:

  • Combining courses across the curriculum
  • Providing hands-on experiential learning opportunities
  • Interacting with community partners and
  • Integrating the Dickinson College Farm into student learning

Learn more about Dickinson’s newest certificate program here.