Land, Food & You

Our Land, Food & You program supports teachers in fostering student interest in local and global food-system issues as they relate to BC high school curriculum. This program introduces students to LFS degree programs while providing insight into the student experience. Our outreach team of LFS students will work with you to customize a learning experience that best suits you and your students: a combination of a UBC Farm tour, a Faculty info presentation, or an interactive workshop.

Let our LFS Student Ambassadors introduce you to our faculty’s areas of expertise including the topics of food security, sustainability, and nutrition! Each workshop is developed from subjects discussed in real LFS classrooms. We engage with students in virtual or in-person workshops to give them a sense of what they will learn about within our degree programs.

Our workshops allow students to critically evaluate and understand real world issues. If you would like to request a workshop for your class, please fill out this form. If your students are interested in learning more about our programs, they can learn more about ways to connect with us here.

Explore our Available Workshops:

Food, Nutrition and Health

Workshop Title Description
Explore Canada’s 2019 Food Guide The newest Canada’s Food Guide, released in 2019 was a major departure from its 2007 counterpart. It eliminated serving sizes, gender and age differentiation, and the ‘Dairy and Alternatives’ Food Group. Throughout this workshop, we will consider why these changes were made, and their potential implications on the Canadian population.
Intro to Food Science: Food Spoilage The good, the bad, and the ugly: this is how food scientists classify microorganisms that interact with our food. Take a deep dive into how microorganisms interact with our food to spoil, poison or enhance it by investigating the impacts of various fungi and bacteria common food products.
Investigating Nutrients: Cure the Deficiency Take a trip back in time to help an English Ship Captain save his crew from scurvy, the deadly sailor’s disease. Participate in the world’s first ever clinical trial that would later help nutritional scientists identify one of the most famous vitamins: Vitamin C.
Deep Dive into Diet and Wellness Culture In this workshop, take a deep dive into diet and wellness culture. What is it? How prevalent is it? What sort of impacts can it have on us, and what can we do to recognize diet culture and avoid its pitfalls?

Applied Animal Biology

Workshop Title Description
Animal Welfare and Ethics Learn about animal sentience, dominant theories of animal welfare, and common challenges faced when animals are used in human society. What are their common stressors? What governing bodies are in charge of protecting them? How can we minimize potential harm?
Wildlife Conflict Towards Coexistence Explore the impacts of human-wildlife conflicts on wildlife populations in urban areas. Dive into the complex issues facing wildlife management and conservation as well as adaptations to coexist in shared spaces.

Food and Resource Economics

Workshop Title Description
Supply Management of The Canadian Dairy Industry What does an economic system have to do with public nutrition, animal welfare, and producer livelihoods? Learn about Canada’s controversial policy framework that controls the price and production of poultry and dairy products, and how it affects more than just the price of milk.
Behind the Scenes of Global Agribusiness Why are your bananas so cheap? Global agribusinesses are competing for the lowest prices in order to make the highest profit. Learn how global agribusiness has historically impacted farmers, health, and the environment AND how they continue to do so today.

Sustainable Agriculture

Workshop Title Description
Climate Change and Staple Foods Staple foods make up the vast majority of the world's energy and nutrient intake. Climate change has already begun to impact the quality and yield of these foods. What are the implications of these changes?
Sustainable Food and Agriculture: Soil What is soil degradation and how does it happen? Is it a bad thing, and what can we prevent it? In this workshop, get an introduction to Soil Science: where soil comes from, what it is used for, and how we can protect it to maintain healthy, sustainable food systems.
Appropriation of Staple Foods Dive into the complexities of food gentrification and appropriation of staple foods in local and global food systems. Explore these concepts and how western culture and diet trends impact small-scale farms, traditional cultivation, and access to staple food items in minority communities.

Land and Food Systems General

Workshop Title Description
Entomophagy: Insects as a Sustainable Food Source The consumption of insects as food has long been practiced in many different regions of the world. In recent years, it has grown in popularity internationally. Dive into the many reasons for this!
Indigenous Ways of Knowing in Food Systems Indigenous ways of living, knowing and being are commonly neglected from Western culture. In this workshop, learn about Indigenous knowledge and the impacts it has had on western culture historically and in current times.
Gender Equality in the Food systems Gender inequality and food insecurity have a direct relationship with one another. Take a deep dive into the ways that women and girls may be disproportionately impacted by food insecurity, and what we can do to combat this.
Evaluating GMOs How do Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) impact climate, health, and community? There are pros and cons to the innovation and use of GMOs. Learn about both sides in this argument and discuss where you fall.
Database and Literature Research Methods How can I find credible sources for my research project? This workshop highlights key tools and techniques for navigating databases, refining search strategies, and evaluating the quality of research sources.

We are lucky to have the Centre For Sustainable Food Systems at the UBC Farm in our own backyard. Our team of Student Ambassadors can lead your group on a tour to learn more about:

  • The exciting research happening at the Farm
  • How LFS students engage with the Farm both in and outside their classes
  • The UBC Farm’s Indigenous initiatives when you visit the unceded ancestral territory of the hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓-speaking xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) people.

If you are interested in joining us for an in-person farm tour, please contact the LFS Student Ambassadors.

If you have students interested in learning more about the Faculty of Land and Food Systems and our
programs, our LFS Student Ambassadors can visit you virtually or in-person to give an engaging presentation.
They can cover topics such as:

If your students are interested in learning more about themes explored in our programs, you can email us to request a customized visit.

Meet the Outreach Team

We are the LFS Student Ambassadors and Indigenous Outreach Coordinator – current LFS students who are working with the LFS Student Services team to meet prospective students interested in applying to our programs and to raise the profile of our exciting Faculty. If you are joining us for an event, like Taste of LFS or UBC Welcomes You, or want to work with us to coordinate a Land, Food, and You program with your school, do not hesitate to reach out. We can’t wait to meet you! You can learn more about our LFS experience and why we chose this Faculty for our post-secondary studies in our bios below.

Ashley Jang

After completing my undergraduate degree, I hope to find a health care career that allows me to combine my passion for helping others and my interest in sustainability.

Angela Geng

My love for Food and Nutritional Sciences led me to find an interest in analyzing food properties and I'm excited to continue my academic journey as I pursue my Master of Science in Food Science.

Kynzie Wagar

I have always had a love of animals and science! After finishing my undergraduate degree in Applied Animal Biology, I hope to go to veterinary school.

READ MORE STORIES READ MORE STORIES

What Comes Next?

Still Have Questions?

If you’re interested in a unique first-year experience, explore Land One: our first-year cohort program in collaboration with the Faculty of Forestry.

EXPLORE LAND ONE

Whether you’ve got questions about your program, your experience or your next steps, LFS Student Services is here to help. Get in touch.