CSU's Ag Literacy Program

Colorado State University has a very strong Agricultural Education Program. One of the concentrations within this program is a rather unique concentration for students — Ag Literacy. Assistant Professor of Agricultural Education Dr. Michael Martin shares more about the program that has been in place for the past four years.

Martin: "We try to take a pretty broad view of what ag literacy is at Colorado State. We like to think of it as the broad food spectrum — food system — in Colorado. We don't necessarily take an narrow approach of just agricultural production. We like to think that brewmasters would find themselves at home in the things we talk about in our program. Right now we have undergraduate program. We're looking to build and doing some work at the Master level too — but right now it is just the undergraduate."

Dr. Martin shares that currently graduates have been found careers is a variety of places — from large multi-national ag companies in outreach to those who are employed by community farms. He says the program provides a platform for students to explore ideas and views.

Martin: "What we try to do is try and find a way to take your core ideas and how would you then teach people who are let's say — opposite of you ideologically to ag. That is what we try to strive for and what that does is create people that are well-rounded in their ability to approach people and then they have the tools necessary to enter the fray."