Course Description
Urban agriculture (UA) has a long history and has always held a central place in the food system. In the last several decades, in light of climate change and growing food inequities, UA has experienced a resurgence in attention from many groups, including community members, activists and policy-makers. In this course, we will explore the role of UA in contributing to sustainable and equitable food systems, and compare the current state of UA in the US and Italy. Food systems in the US and in Italy look very different – ecologically, socially, politically and economically. We will study the similarities and differences, focusing on UA and the programs, policies and systems that shape UA in both places. We will do this both by reading texts but also by talking to the different actors that shape the food system, including but not limited to urban farmers and farmer associations, consumers and consumer purchasing groups, activists, food policy councils and policy-makers. We will use in-depth case studies in the region of Perugia, Italy to better understand these broad issues.

Learning Outcomes and Assessment Measures

Below are the course’s learning outcomes, followed by the methods that will be used to assess students’ achievement for each learning outcome. By the end of this course, students will be able to:

• Define UA and describe its history, evolution and importance in the US and Italy;
• Understand and describe the political and economic contexts that shape the UA and food production in the US and in Italy;
• Define the role of different actors in the UA food system;
• Critically discuss and evaluate the role of urban agriculture in addressing multiple social and environmental problems including food insecurity and climate change;
• Develop a research proposal on urban agriculture in a regional context;
• Present and discuss research proposals with classmates.

Course Materials
Course reader in Pdf

Field Trips
Visits to local gardens and markets