In the face of economic insecurity, rural communities around the world turn to conventional, chemical-intensive agricultural practices that drive biodiversity loss and soil erosion. Not only does this cause environmental degradation, but also a crop yield of decreased nutritional value. In academic, environmental, and even many political circles there is a growing consensus that scaling agroecology and regenerative agriculture is of great importance for the future of human food security, and more broadly, the sustaining of ecosystem services that benefit all life on earth. How though can this growing belief be converted into action? What are the technical skills, experience and financing instruments that can enable the growth of ecologically sustainable agriculture?

This course aims to connect academic research on environmental and food systems challenges to tangible, scalable, community-based solutions. Students will gain a global perspective on the opportunities and obstacles to regenerative farming through guest lectures including, but not limited to, the case study of the Ecuadorian agriculture sector. Students will have the opportunity to learn from a diverse group of guest speakers from both the Berkeley community and Ecuador. These speakers will provide introductions to ecological topics ranging from agroecology to bamboo architecture. Course participants will have the opportunity to apply the knowledge they gain to a collaborative research project.

This course partners with the Regeneration Field Institute, a 70-acre regenerative agriculture farm and bamboo construction training institute located in Manabi, Ecuador. Coastal Ecuador is a highly environmentally degraded region of the world with 98% of its land deforested. RFI implements ecological restoration in coastal Ecuador, builds bamboo infrastructure projects for local partner communities, and provides workshops and training to local communities in these areas of work. RFI conducts research in soil science of different land uses in Manabi, bamboo for reforestation and regeneration of bioregions, and engineered bamboo products such as structural floor and wall bamboo panels.