Course Development Grants Available for Local Food Systems Certificate Program, Georgia

The University of Georgia was recently awarded a three-year USDA (NIFA) grant to develop an interdisciplinary Local Food Systems (LFS) certificate program. The proposed LFS certificate will provide UGA students a unique academic opportunity to explore the economic, political, social and cultural aspects of local food systems. A significant component of the grant proposal for the LFS certificate is to develop more academic service-learning opportunities focused on local food issues.  The Office of Service-Learning will administer a number of course development mini-grants over the next three years for faculty interested developing or redesigning undergraduate courses with a service-learning component for inclusion in this proposed certificate program. All permanent, full-time instructional faculty from any UGA school or college are eligible to apply.

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Applications for this semester are due Friday, April 22, 2011, and funds must be spent by August 30, 2011.

Download complete guidelines and application packet.

In the proposed LFS certificate program, students will complete 18 hours of sequential coursework with foundation, capstone, and studio/internship project-based experiences that will provide a strong foundation for future careers or lifelong personal involvement in local food issues. Features of the LFS certificate include the followingopportunities for UGA students:  1) selection of courses from themed “clusters” based on individual interest; 2) immersion in course-based service-learning experiences addressing local food issues; 3) opportunities for internships placements with community partners; and 4) access to courses in a variety of colleges and schools for a truly interdisciplinary approach to addressing local food issues.

See https://ugalocalfoodsystems.uga.edu for current faculty involved, certificate requirements, and current course listings. The LFS course development grants are for faculty interested developing or redesigning undergraduate courses with a service-learning component for inclusion in this proposed certificate program.