Local Food Systems

Local Food Systems is a Natural Science class taught by Larry Winship.

Course Description
With less abundant, expensive oil a virtual certainty, the cost of food we now get from afar will continue to rise. We will all soon be "eating closer to home" ? but what does this mean for farmers and consumers? In this research course we will consider the ecological and sociological implications of Local Food, using the Pioneer Valley as a model system. We will map "foodsheds" attempting to quantify both supply and demand. With both urban and rural areas, our bioregion is perfect locale to consider innovations in food production methods, such as winter growing and urban farming. We will take a quantitative approach where possible, relying on statistical data as well as interviews with local farmers and food activists and readings in the scientific and popular literature.

Learning Goals

 * Reading
 * Quantitative
 * Presenting
 * Project-based

Research Groups Fall 2009

 * Local Food Research Groups F09

Links

 * Local Foods Initiative