AGROECOLOGY

The increasing complexity of agroecosystems caused by uncertain markets, climate change, food insecurity, and exponential population growth is requiring educational programs in agriculture to have foundations in robust scientific approaches grounded in an ecosystem framework. This new educational paradigm is linked to an old discipline known as agroecology, or the scientific discipline that integrates ecological and agricultural principles that results in optimizing resource conservation, productivity, societal benefits, and profitability.

To meet this need, UF has developed a core curriculum of crop, soil, and water sciences that emphasizes rigorous presentation of the fundamental scientific principles behind sustainability, resource management and stewardship, valuation of ecosystem services, and system productivity and profitability. We have incorporated the use of distance education in parts of the curriculum, allowing the inclusion of students and institutions across the globe in our program. Our program offerings in agroecology deliver to students the broad and scientifically rooted knowledge and skills demanded by the complexity of technological, political, and economic challenges found in the global agricultural industry of today and the future.

MISSION

The goal of the Agroecology concentration at UF is to train students in agriculture through the application of ecological concepts and principles to design, develop and manage sustainable agricultural systems.

The Agroecology concentration will provide anopportunity to gain knowledge across different disciplines including: agronomy, soils, pest management, crop production, extension, natural resources, sustainable cropping systems and environmental science. The focus of the program emphasizes three principles of sustainable agriculture:

Economic profitability
Environmental health
Social and economic equity

This program is designed to provide individuals an integrated perspective and skill set that will apply to a wide range of careers including: crop consultants, state and federal agriculture and environmental agency staff members, non-governmental agencies, positions with agricultural firms, county agents, soil & water conservationists and others. There is a documented high demand in the job market for those with broad knowledge and skills in production agriculture and its relationship to environmental and societal issues.

The program is offered via distance education and on-campus.

The distance education track of the Agroecology concentration will be helpful to a number of potential students including

Place-bound students
County extension agents
International students
State and federal employees
Crop consultants
Others

The program will give students the flexibility to study from anywhere in the world to earn a graduate degree from the University of Florida.

Resident students can follow the concentration, and can take courses by both resident and DE methods, depending on the mode of offering of courses.

INTERNATIONAL PARTNERS

For more information, browse through our International Partners e-book here!

These partner institutions are all options for the ALS 5905 International Research Immersion class required for the Ph.D. and Global Agroecology Certificate. This class consists of a 3 to 6 months research experience abroad, in one of the above institutions. Students are required to take part in an existing project there, which does not entails any cost for the receiving institutions. The travel expenses will be paid for by the students’ advisors. The living expenses abroad are at the students’ charge. If you are interested in this experience, please contact Romain Gloaguen romain.gloaguen@ufl.edu well in advance to plan your trip and find a mentor at the partner institution you want to visit.