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Food is a marvelous thing! As a fundamental human need, it can bind us all together, but in many ways our modern food system divides us from each other, from our place on Earth and from the organisms we rely on for life. You can be a part of knitting those relationships back together by studying sustainable food systems at Goshen College. Whether you’re interested in being a grower of food, a chef, an entrepreneur who makes use of good food for your business or an advocate for making good food available to all, this major will be rich preparation for your career.
Learning about agriculture at GC will begin at our very own top-ranked Merry Lea Sustainable Farm — where 10 acres of fruits, vegetables, nuts and livestock are raised — and extends out to a wide network of farms, food businesses and nonprofits that we are connected to in our region. By visiting these professionals and working alongside them and your peers, you’ll pair deep learning about food systems with a wide range of practical skills that will be helpful now and in your future career.
Students who enroll in the nine-week residential Agroecology Summer Intensive (ASI) at Merry Lea Environmental Learning Center all share something in common: they are passionate about sustainable agriculture. ASI is the foundation of Goshen College’s sustainable food systems major and the agroecology minor. Whether you care about high-quality local food, sustainable farming practices or healthy food systems, ASI will empower you to explore your passion first-hand.
Learn more about the Agroecology Summer Intensive, a unique hands-on experience for sustainable food systems majors and agroecology minors.
Aaron Sawatsky-Kingsley '97 is Goshen's city forester, working at revitalizing Goshen’s urban forest with a tree canopy assessment, tree plantings and maintenance coordination. Leah Thill '12 is the senior environmental planner with the Michiana Area Council of Governments (MACOG).
Bee City USA® has renewed Goshen College’s Bee Campus USA certification for 2019 following a rigorous renewal application process. GC was named Indiana’s first Bee Campus USA for its work in supporting pollinators such as bees.
José Chiquito is in his third year as a Sustainability Studies major at Goshen College. He was born in Mexico and has lived in Goshen, IN since he was three years old. Currently he is dedicated to developing his newly launched podcast on ecojustice, identity, and food called Ecotiva Radio.
Number of days that sustainability students and faculty spend canoeing on the Elkhart & St. Joseph Rivers
Goshen College has been recognized as a “Tree Campus USA” school by the Arbor Day Foundation
Best college regionally for the money – College Factual
Ranking among the 40 best college farms, according to CollegeRanker.com
One of the greenest colleges in the country – Sierra Magazine
Learn more about Goshen College's exceptional academic outcomes and national rankings.
Reena is an environmental science major with an ecology focus who is involved in EcoPax, the Tree Care Committee and Student Senate, and is also a stage manager in the Music Center.
Reena's storyWhen Ryan becomes Goshen College’s first sustainable food systems graduate in 2019, his resume will include familiarity with both small scale sustainable farming and conventional farming practices.
Ryan's story"Peacemaking begins with understanding our world and our connection to it -- promoting peace is increasingly about caring for ecological systems on which humans depend."
Ryan's storyKate Friesen, an English major, developed a love for farming at Merry Lea Environmental Learning Center and now runs Singletree Farm.
Kate's storyGabe chose to major in sustainable food systems because it will enable him to work with interlocking issues related to the environment, justice and human rights.
Gabe's storyThomas Leonard is an environmental science major from Columbus, Ohio. He enjoys watching comedies (“Anchorman” is his favorite), cheering for the Buckeyes and listening to the Lumineers and Macklemore.
Thomas' storyJohn Mischler
Director of Agroecology & Assistant Professor of SEED Education
Contact me with questions!
Jonathon Schramm
Associate Professor of Sustainability and Environmental Education
Ryan Sensenig
Professor of Biological & Environmental Science
ES Program Director
& Lindsay Teaching Fellow
Danielle Pagoria
Administrative Assistant
Tom Hartzell
Merry Lea Coordinator for Residential Programs & Environmental Science Educator
