UH West Oʻahu co-sponsors 7th Annual Sustainable Agriculture Education Association National Conference

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UPDATE as of 5/3/16: Online registration information was added to this article.

The University of Hawaiʻi – West Oʻahu will co-sponsor the 7th Annual Sustainable Agriculture Education Association Conference happening at the University of California, Santa Cruz Center for Agroecology and Sustainable Food Systems, July 29-31.

UH West Oʻahu Assistant Professor of Sustainable Community Food Systems Albie Miles is a principal organizer of the conference and will present information about the University’s new bachelor of applied science concentration in sustainable community food systems as well as discuss UH West Oʻahu’s collaborative partnerships with Native Hawaiian community organizations including MAʻO Organic Farms.

This year’s conference theme, “The Ecology of Food Systems: Engaging Interdisciplinary and Applied Education for a Just and Sustainable Agriculture,” highlights the growing demand for inclusive approaches to sustainable agriculture education and research at colleges and universities, and emphasizes the role of interdisciplinary and applied learning in achieving a more just and equitable food system. Held on the beautiful UC Santa Cruz campus, the three-day conference features field trips to regional agriculture education projects such as the UC Santa Cruz Apprenticeship in ecological horticulture; Cal Poly San Luis Obispo Swanton Pacific Ranch and Pie Ranch on the Santa Cruz coast; and the Agriculture and Land-Based Training Association in California’s Salinas Valley.

Conference attendees include participants from across the agriculture and food system who are engaged in post-secondary and adult education including faculty, administrators, students, and staff; farmers, cooks, and community organizers; professionals in health, business, the law, media and arts. The conference format is highly participant-driven and features open-space technology sessions, workshops, panel discussions, and formal presentations. Register online. For information visit the Sustainable Agriculture Education Association website or email saea2016conference@ucsc.edu.

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UH West Oʻahu Sustainable Community Food Systems program

UH West Oʻahu is the only University of Hawaiʻi campus to offer the bachelor of applied science concentration in sustainable community food systems, an experiential and applied education focused on the analysis of key ecological and social issues in the food system. The concentration incorporates problem-based and hands-on learning to develop food system professionals capable of solving real-world problems and transitioning Hawaiʻi’s food and agriculture sector toward greater ecological sustainability and social equity. Integrated into the sustainable community food systems curriculum and located on the UH West Oʻahu campus, the UHWO Student Organic Garden serves as one of many “living laboratories” where students directly apply the theoretical knowledge taught in the classroom.

Sustainable Agriculture Education Association

The Sustainable Agriculture Education Association promotes and supports the development, application, research, and exchange of best teaching and learning practices in sustainable agriculture education and curricula through communication, training, development, and collaborative activities for teachers and learners. The 7th Annual SAEA National Conference happens at the University of California, Santa Cruz, Center for Agroecology & Sustainable Food Systems and is co-sponsored by the University of Hawaiʻi – West Oʻahu, the University of California, Davis, University of California, Berkeley, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, Agriculture and Land-Based Training Association, and Merritt College with major support from the University of California Global Food Initiative.

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Image courtesy of Sustainable Agriculture Education Association