Food, Farm, and Sustainability Institute at Hampshire College

Cultivate a culture of sustainability at Hampshire College in Amherst, MA.

Now in its fourth summer, the Food, Farm, and Sustainability Institute (June 8 - July 3) combines rigorous classroom instruction and practical experience, utilizing our working farm as a laboratory. What will students learn?Not only will students learn about organic vegetable production and sustainable animal husbandry at the Farm Center, which provides food to more than 200 farm share members, they will learn about microbiology through making cheese, fermentation through making sauerkraut, and cultural practices through growing heritage varieties and breeds. Students will be challenged to explore alternatives to conventional agriculture, focusing on agriculture that part of a diverse ecosystem and a social network, with such concepts as biodiversity, food and economic webs, human nutrition, complex biotic interactions involving mutualism as well as predation and competition, and more.

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Who should apply?

We encourage students from across the globe to join us! The Food, Farm, and Sustainability Institute primarily serves undergraduate (and some graduate) students with an interest in food, sustainable agriculture, farming, environmental studies, and/or sustainability studies. Anyone over the age of 18 is welcome to apply.

Yeah, but what about transfer credits?

We’ve got those too! The course structure will mainly consist of work at the farm in the mornings, afternoon classes, field trips (e.g., to other local farms and food processors), some evening speakers, and some weekend trips. We recommend a minimum of four undergraduate credits for the completion of the program. Students are encouraged to check with their home institutions about how many credits will be accepted before enrolling.

Ok, I’m interested. What is the application process?

Here are the basics. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. Only completed applications are reviewed. In order to secure your place in the program, a $300 nonrefundable tuition deposit will be due two weeks after date of acceptance.

Program Fees
Tuition $2,300
Room $904
Board $825*

*This fee is for a full meal plan, which covers 3 meals a day, every program day, including the communally prepared meals and the meals at the dining commons. Partial meal plans are available for $90. This only covers one communally prepared meal per week. Students on a partial meal plan are responsible for all other meals on their own.

April 3 – Priority Deadline for all applications (the last date by which we can guarantee space in the program)

April 11 – Tuition Discount Deadline (students will receive 15% tuition discount if all payments are received)

May 1 – Application Deadline (all application materials must be submitted)

May 15 – Payment Deadline (all deposits and payments must be submitted)

Keep in touch! Email ffs@hampshire.edu or call 413-559-6843 with questions. Or just to say hi.

Apply Now!