Stanford Offers "Concepts of Urban Agriculture" Course

In Winter 2008, Stanford offered a course titled “Concepts of Urban Agriculture” taught by Professor Pam Matson and Assisted by Logan Egan and Erin Gaines.

The urban agriculture course was designed to be a small, discussion-based seminar to explore the value of urban agriculture (UA) in the context of sustainability (i.e. meeting the needs of people and the environment). Topics in relation to UA include social and economic dimensions, city policy and land-use planning, provision of ecosystem goods and services, productive capacity, public health impacts, and educational values. Exploration of both developed and developing world contexts using case studies from around the world.

Goals

• Compare and contrast the current state of UA around the world
• Evaluate the benefits of UA for various stakeholders
• Analyze the role of UA for global and local food security and environmental well-being
• Design a UA project that provides multiple, diverse benefits for people and the environment
• Learn about and engage with UA projects in the Bay Area

The Stanford urban agriculture students came to visit Collective Roots on February 19, 2008 in the garden at East Palo Alto Charter School and received a presentation by Wolfram Alderson, Executive Director of Collective Roots. Click here to receive a PDF of the PowerPoint version of the presentation.