The official title of the bachelor of science degree will be "Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems," and officials say it will "provide students with a thorough understanding of the many issues facing modern farming and food systems, including production, processing, distribution, consumption and waste management."
The green component is the emphasis on social, economic and environmental aspects of agriculture and food.
“This is an exciting addition to the college that reflects a change in how we think about food and agriculture,” says Neal Van Alfen, dean of the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, in a statement. “Students will gain a broad perspective of what it takes to put dinner on the table in an era of greater demand and fewer resources.”
Nine faculty members from eight departments are affiliated with the new degree program.
The major is new, but UC Davis has been covering the subject at its student farm for more than 35 years, officials say.
Continuing students already have begun transferring into the major. Freshmen and transfer students will be able to apply starting in November.
Photo: Courtesy UC Davis.