Animal Science and Food Systems Relationships

The Animal Science and Food Systems Relationships – Senior Only Program (ASFSR-SYOP) is a free program designed for qualifying high school seniors with an interest in Urban Agriculture and Landscape Design with no prior exposure to CTE programs.

This program prepares students to apply knowledge and skills in agriculture’s food systems, nutrition and health. Students are exposed to the complex intersections and relationships among food, policy, labor, social justice, economics, the environment, culture, and population health. Students will have competency in food systems, nutrition, public health, social and economic equity, and sustainability, as well as strong liberal arts preparation in intellectual and practical skills like inquiry, analysis, communication, critical thinking, and problem-solving, all of which enables them to address issues such as domestic and global food and nutrition security.

Instruction will cover the basic skills in a variety of areas associated with agriculture such as animal science and food systems relationships. Instruction includes but is not limited to computer science and technology; plant, animal, and soil sciences; and small and large equipment operating.

The program will be housed at Fox Chase Farm with experiential visits at various agricultural sites around the City of Philadelphia and surrounding counties.  Students enrolled in ASFSR -SYOP will be at Fox Chase Farm (or other industry related site) for one or two full days each week and report to their home school for the three or four remaining days each week.

Students enrolled in ASFSR -SYOP will meet all of the requirements for graduation of the School District of Philadelphia inclusive of the senior project.  All costs related to projects, resources (texts, etc.), certification fees and transportation would be covered by The School District of Philadelphia.

Program Highlights

  • Work with small and large animals to better understand the food system relationship
  • Use the latest technology found within agriculture
  • Learn how to operate equipment and become certified
  • Examine food policy, labor, and economics
  • Produce food to help support the Philadelphia Community, and teach others how to address food security
  • Explore career pathways in animal science, including pharmaceutical health management

Who is Eligible to Apply?

The UAW-SYOP Program is seeking applications from current 11th-grade students enrolled in a School District of Philadelphia schools.  Current juniors must meet the criteria below to qualify for the program:

Must have 17.5 credits by the end of their junior year

Have an interest in Urban Agriculture

What to Submit?

Students must submit the following information in order to be considered for the program:

  • Completed Application
  • Student letter of interest

Next Steps

Students will be notified of the next steps via email (please ensure that you provide an email address that you can access) inclusive of an interview