Students in Trent’s Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems program will be digging deeper into sustainable, regenerative farming practices with more than 240 hours’ hands-on farming experience in the University’s new Small-Scale Farming specialization.

“Trent’s interdisciplinary approach makes this specialization in Small Scale Farming truly unique,” says Dr. Karen Thompson, coordinator of the Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems program and assistant professor in the Trent School of the Environment. “Many agricultural programs are very production-focused. It's rare to have a mix of both science and social science, plus a strong experiential learning component.”

Growing skills through hands-on learning opportunities

With roughly 1,400 acres of land situated on the banks of the Otonabee River, Trent’s Peterborough campus offers a unique learning landscape for students to collect real data in nature’s living labs, including the Trent Farm. The University also boasts world-renowned research facilities, all of which contribute to a well-rounded student experience.

“Trent offers a broad teaching environment in which to learn small-scale production,” says
Dr. Michael Classens, assistant professor in Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems. “On the Trent Farm students will experience planting, growing and harvesting crops. We also have opportunities for hands-on learning at the Trent Apiary, Rooftop Gardens and Trent Vegetable Garden. To experience the distribution side of farming, students can get involved with the Seasoned Spoon Café, a non-profit, vegetarian cooperative café located on campus.”

Through this new specialization, which launches in September, students will have many opportunities for hands-on learning – both on campus and off – with an intensive field course on Trent’s farming resources and a 240-hour internship. During their internships, students will be placed with various community organizations and local farmers, where they will learn from experts in the field and start to build their network within the agriculture sector.

“Ultimately we want to have a network of graduates with their own farming businesses who can advise and support current students,” adds Prof. Classens.

Students in the Small-Scale Farming specialization can also look forward to an exciting range of new, focused courses, including Sustainable Farm Business Management. The new course will allow students to explore the business aspect of sustainable farming, from marketing and distribution to sales strategies for small farm viability such as ‘farm gate’ sales, farm stands, farmers’ markets, value-added production strategies, CSAs, developing an online presence, use of social media, direct sales to restaurants, co-operatives, and food hubs.

Applications for Trent’s specialization in Small-Scale Farming in the Trent School of the Environment remain open for fall 2021.