Teaching & Learning

Innovative sustainability learning is at the heart of the Centre’s academic programming. The farm embodies the concept of campus as a living lab, where learners of all ages can immerse themselves in the stewardship of a working, productive landscape. These experiences offer relevant, practical solutions that are linked to some of society’s most pressing global challenges.

Teaching integrated pest management techniques and marketing principles during a Friday harvest.

This programming keeps a highly student-centred approach, and students take a leading role in their learning and in the ongoing operations and strategic direction for the farm. Through curricular and co-curricular teaching and learning, more than 2,500 students participated in on-farm activities in 2010. Students in over 60 courses representing eight faculties, four UBC schools, and the colleges of Health Disciplines and Interdisciplinary Studies actively used the farm that year. Building multiple disciplines and traditions, applied learning on the farm integrates community service, research experience, and active stewardship of the landscape. Students have the opportunity to actively change the landscape of the farm and, in turn, to change the landscape of applied sustainability learning at UBC and beyond.

Teaching and learning at the farm plays an important part in UBC’s Sustainability Strategy. Staff and faculty associates at the Centre for Sustainable Food Systems collaborate with the University Sustainability Initiative, ensuring that on-farm activities link with and complement the wide range of sustainability learning that takes place across campus.

Follow the links below to find out more about the UBC Farm’s unique opportunities for teaching and learning:

• Affiliated Degree Programs
• Credit Courses & Directed Studies
• Graduate Theses & Postdoctoral Research
• Practicum in Sustainable Agriculture
• Volunteer Program
• Community Service-Learning
• Workshops & Short Courses
• Children’s Learning Garden