The Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems (SAFS) programs foster active and experiential learning in agriculture and food system sustainability.

SAFS Newsletters

  • SAFS Early Fall 2026 Newsletter

    Published on August 21, 2026
    SAFS Early Fall Newsletter -welcome event, other course and event updates, and SAFS graduate student article

  • SAFS Spring-Summer 2026 Newsletter

    Published on April 15, 2026
    SAFS Spring-Summer 2026 Newsletter with event and course updates and SAFS graduate student article

  • SAFS Spring Newsletter 2026

    Published on February 10, 2026
    SAFS Early Spring 2026 Newsletter with events, course updates, and a SAFS graduate student article

SAFS Listserv Items

  • KBS Seminar Nov. 13th - Developing and deploying new crops for agricultural sustainability

    Date: Mon, 9 Nov 2026 14:00:00 +0000
    Author: Cotton, Julie

    KBS Seminar featuring Jake Jungers
    Developing and deploying new crops for agricultural sustainability

    [cid:AA9BA778-7C09-415A-923B-15BDAEEDA24B]
    Photo of Jungers from https://twin-cities.umn.edu/news-events/healthy-soils-healthy-environment

    Date: Friday, Nov. 13, 2026
    Time: 10:45am - 11:45am
    Location: KBS Terrace Room; or Zoom
    Zoom link: https://msu.zoom.us/j/94376150058?pwd=S0xXREhkaEYrSTdoTy9YMU9peHY5QT09 (passcode: 103757)

    Abstract: Over the past 70 years, the diversity of crop species grown on U.S. farmland has declined significantly. While the resulting homogenization of cropping systems offers efficiency gains and global market access, it has also created pressing social, economic, and environmental challenges. Ecological and economic theories suggest that diversity fosters productivity and resilience, principles increasingly applied to agriculture to enhance yields, [...]

  • Garden Club of America - Katharine M. Grosscup Scholarship

    Date: Thu, 5 Nov 2026 19:19:41 +0000
    Author: Cotton, Julie

    These scholarships are available to rising college sophomores, juniors, seniors, or master's degree candidates in the fall of 2027. Open to U.S. Citizens and permanent residents who are currently and actively enrolled in a U.S. based institution in IN, KY, MI, OH, PA, or WV, and a 3.5 GPA or better is expected. [...]

  • Rich Earth Virtual Summit, Nov 4-6th

    Date: Thu, 29 Oct 2026 16:34:10 +0000
    Author: Cotton, Julie

    Some of you might be interested in this online “summit” on waste diversion and separation for use in soil nutrient cycles.

    [Screenshot 2026-10-29 at 12.30.20?PM.png]<https://www.richearthsummit.org/>

    https://www.richearthsummit.org/

AGROECO Listserv

Want to sign up for the AGROECO listserv with SAFS events, jobs, and campus opportunities? Email listserv@list.msu.edu and write "SUBSCRIBE AGROECO" in the body of your message. Welcome!

 

Travel Grant Form

Are you a SAFS graduate or undergraduate student interested in traveling to a conference or training to forward your career? We can help you get there! Download the form for more information.

 

Resources

Cover2020AnnualReport
SAFS 2020 Annual Report
CSS 124
CSS 124 students visiting the MSU Student Organic Farm

 

 CSS 124: Introduction to Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems

... each module has helped me to open my eyes and become much more informed with the different facets of sustainability, food systems, agriculture, and the civil discourse of the many ''wicked problems'' we face in both the US and abroad. Thank you!Anon, Spring 2018

CSS 224

CSS 224: Sustainable Farm & Food System Field Course

 

Meeting Times

2022 tentative Field Trip dates:
Saturday September 17th, 8-6pm
Saturday, September 24th, 8-6pm
Saturday, October 1, 9-2pm

Class meeting
Fridays Sept. 9-Oct. 28th, 3-4:30PM
Class will officially end Oct. 31 2022

 

CSS 424
424 students hosting Food Day on MSU Campus

CSS 424: Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems: Integration and Synthesis

Having an end-product that is really going to be utilized as opposed to a hypothetical answer to a problem put before us is really rewarding. Tatum, Fall 2018