​Physical, biological and chemical properties of the dynamic soil system as related to plant growth in various ecosystems, both natural and those managed for agriculture and forestry. Includes management of…

In this intensive course we’ll explore the practical modern use of natural dyes.  We’ll examine their role in cultures, and the way this craft connects its practitioners with place. We’ll…

In her ethnographic investigation of global marine fisheries, Eating the Ocean, Elspeth Probyn poses the questions that frame her inquiry into human-fish entanglements: “How to eat the ocean well? How…

The Farm Between (TFB) is offering full time, 10 week, 6 credit internships. There are two  internships focused on Nursery and Fruit and Berry Management.  The Farm Between is a…

The Farm Between (TFB) is offering full time, 10 week, 6 credit internships, one internship focused on Ecological Landscape Management.   The Farm Between is a perennial production farm managed with…

Perennial plants have always played a large role in the human diet and are a very dominant group in natural plant communities. Often the production of these perennial crops are…

This 2-credit course is an add-on experience for students in the Expedition Planning and Management Pod. Registration priority will be given to students in that pod, but there may be…

This is a survey course designed to explore a variety of educational theories providing a baseline for the development of one’s own pedagogical approach. The class format includes guest speakers,…

This course focuses on collaboration and contemplation through the production of art that is place-based and/or responds to social issues. We will engage in aesthetic experimentation and dialogue about the…

This course focuses on collaboration and contemplation through the production of art that is place-based and/or responds to social issues. We will engage in aesthetic experimentation and dialogue about the…

In the essay “The Making of a Marginal Farm,” Wendell Berry writes about his family’s efforts to restore and nurture a place that had been hard used, a marginal farm…

This course hopes to demonstrate the complex relationship between horses and humans through time. Of the animals which have captured the imagination of humans, the horse as Pita Kelenkna describes,…

This course explores how activists and ordinary citizens have come together to create mass movements toward cultural, political, social, and economic change. This course will investigate campaigns from three social…

According to Stephen Budiansky, “Horses have been enveloped in human dreams, myths, ambitions, and sentiments for so long that the story we have come to think of as theirs is…

Food preservation can help you put by the bounty of the harvest for winter months, as well as adding value to raw food products.  Most of all, preservation can transform…

According to most estimates, 47% of the Earth’s terrestrial ecosystems are grazed. In this survey we take a holistic view of grazed ecosystems and their interacting components, including biotic and…

Controversial Issues in Outdoor Education will introduce students to current major challenges faced by the Outdoor Education field.  Course topics will reflect current issues but include the following themes: user…

Students in this course will help to support faculty and students enrolled in A Sense of Place as they develop skills and group dynamics throughout the intensive. Students will work…

Outdoor Program Administration is designed to apply students’ collective professional and educational experience to a leadership perspective. Students will take what they have learned to this point and step into…

Whole Farm Planning This course will expose students to the complexity of whole farm planning by combining business planning and management with policy and ecology in development of farm models…

Small Business Management Students in this course will gain an understanding of basic economic and management principles necessary to successfully operate a farm business. Students will also develop familiarity with…

Holistic Livestock Husbandry & Grazing Holistic Livestock Husbandry highlights tried and true management techniques and explores new directions for managing the small diversified livestock farm for healthy, contented livestock.  The…

Livestock Systems Management Livestock Systems Management will provide students with the knowledge and skills to assess housing, and forage production and storage needs, for a wide variety of livestock types….

Watershed Ecosystems Analysis The course will provide students with an understanding of the ecological, social, and political aspects of a watershed. Combining a study of stream ecology and land use,…

U.S. Farm and Food Policy This course offers a broad introduction to food the policy and food culture of the United States. It surveys the history of food regulation in…

Agroforestry Agroforestry embodies the middle road between agriculture and forestry land uses by combining agronomic cropping and livestock systems along with perennial tree crop production. Founded on ancient food production, ecological principles,…

Literature of the Rural Experience Like their urban counterparts, rural areas have historically been a nexus of cultural intersection-places where migrants and immigrants have come for work, farming the land,…

Draft Animal Power System III: Farming with Draft Horses Draft Animal Power Systems III allows students the opportunity to explore the challenges associated with farming systems where horses are the…

Draft Animal Power Systems II: Work Applications In this course, students use horsepower to actively manage the College’s farm and forest. Typical work applications include equipment maintenance, logging, sugaring, soil…

Draft Animal Power Systems I: Driving Principles This course introduces students to the systems required to safely manage and work a team of draft horses or oxen. Topics include the…

Agroecology This course examines the ecological foundations of sustainable agriculture practice to foster an understanding of the management and design of sustainable agroecosystems. Using a whole-system and multi-disciplinary approach students…

Restorative Forestry Due to past forest-product harvesting systems the need to restore habitat and rebuild forest ecology structure and function is recognized throughout the southern Appalachian region as a significant…

The flow of the course is defined by stages of the one comprehensive writing assignment.  The writing process is focused on through multiple drafts and peer review.  The course starts…

Being necessary to our basic biological survival, food is a human universal. Indeed, the paired technological revolutions of fire and cooking are central features of a common human experience reaching…

As environmental stewards, it is critical that we cultivate a deeper understanding of global environmental issues, while considering the social implications of the strategies used to address these issues. Communities…

This course will investigate the intersection of food justice and a local food system in part by involving students in successful community initiatives to bring local food and food awareness…

This course explores on how people work in groups when facing challenging or unfamiliar situations. Personal development focuses on self-confidence, trusting teammates, and communication. Leadership and group problems solving exercises…

This course will serve as the foundation for students interested in woodworking at Sterling College by providing a structured, comprehensive introduction to basic woodworking processes and techniques. Students will learn…

What is a text? How do texts create meaning? How do texts interrelate with the natural world? Foundations of Environmental Humanities considers a wide range of cultural texts–from poetry to…

Homecoming I: Good Work Is Membership Homecoming I: Good Work Is Membership is a two-week intensive, field-based course of the Wendell Berry Farming Program of Sterling College (WBFP). It introduces…

This course bridges the fields of ecology, food systems, cultural studies and humanities, and provides students with an investigation into the diverse relationships between humans and plants.  The course will…

The course will provide a broad introduction to leadership and facilitation skills as they apply within the context of outdoor education, as well as an overview of the history and…

Global Environmental Literature is a cross-cultural exploration of fiction that examines the intersections of culture and ecology. Questions we will consider include: What does literature reveal about differing cultural perceptions…

Artisan Breadmaking & Heritage Grains June 22-26, 2020 Faculty:  Richard Miscovich Connecting to the origins of sustenance, students in Sterling College’s Artisan Bread-making course will practice the art of breadmaking…

This capstone course builds upon foundational theories and practices in environmental humanities and examines the historical and contemporary intersections among art, culture and ecology.  Students engage in process-oriented creativity with…

Buffalo Bill’s Wild West show traveled the country around the turn of the twentieth-century, performing iconic images of the West—from Annie Oakley’s gun tricks to reenactments of Custer’s “last stand”…

Experience the thrill of racing through the woods and fields with just your wits and map and compass to guide you.  Whether it is team adventure racing, foot orienteering, or…

This course explores how families (as well as communities) serve as sites for cultural transmission by gathering and studying family and community stories. Focusing on various traditions or a ‘tradition…

This field course builds on foundational outdoor skills and trains students in all aspects of wilderness trip design and implementation, as well as both front country and back country field…

This course is a field-based exploration of the flora and vegetation of the American Southwest and the physical factors such as climate and geologic history that shape the region.  Emphasis…

This field course is an experiential immersion into the culture of ancient peoples of the present-day American Southwest.  We will explore migration patterns and creation stories of peoples in the…

Agroforestry unites agriculture and forestry land uses by combining agronomic cropping and animal management with perennial tree crops into a unified and diversified production system. Founded on ancient food production…

Throughout history, how have both cultures and individuals defined the notion of “Adventure”?  What value does Adventure have in the everyday lives of humans? Who gets to have Adventures and…

Organized around the triad, Production, Protection, and Provisioning, the summer Field School in Sustainable Agriculture & Food Systems provides students with field-tested skills and knowledge necessary to engage in ecologically…

The Art of Fermentation July 20-24, 2020 Faculty: Sandor Katz   Have a question about this course? World-renowned fermentation educator and author Sandor Katz leads this effervescent exploration of the…

This course offers a broad introduction to food the policy and food culture of the United States. It surveys the history of food regulation in the US, as well as…

The Self-Designed Major Workshop serves to guide and support students who are planning to complete a self-designed major proposal. Students should be prepared to meet weekly, to share drafts of…

This class will meet in person twice per week, probably in the evening to avoid conflicts with Block 2 pods. Smaller group study sessions can also be scheduled. Class material is reinforced…

The course is a field-based exploration of birds with a dual emphasis on developing and refining field identification and classification skills and gaining an understanding of the evolution and ecology…

Wetlands are often called “keystone natural communities” because of the important role many wetlands play in biogeochemical cycling, the control of flooding, the support of extensive and rich food chains,…

This course is a field-based botanical study of flowering plants with a focus on spring and summer wildflowers.  Students learn plant systematics and advanced field identification skills through intensive field…

This course is an advanced field and lab-based exploration of spore-producing plants, including mosses, liverworts, quillworts, club-mosses, ferns, and horsetails. Emphasis will be on field- based identification and ecology of…

Practicum in Environmental Stewardship (4-6 credits) offers students the opportunity to direct their own learning while working full-time in a field of interest. While the structure of this course of…

The Wildlife Conservation and Management course is built upon the concept of a land ethic, recognizing that the definition of ‘community’ encompasses all living things. How we interact with the…

Senior Year Research Project I is the first in a two-course sequence that gives students the opportunity to pursue a particular question in significant depth and explore an area of…

Students gain exposure to biological and cultural definitions of gender, and acquire a broad and critical understanding of the contributions of the women’s and men’s movements to contemporary culture; Attention…

In this course students are are trained to teach two nationally acclaimed environmental education curricula: 4-Winds and Project Seasons. Students present four of these workshops in the classroom at the…

In this course students explore the historical and theoretical foundations of the field of Outdoor Education, as well the range of applications within the field. Students explore leadership and adventure…

Entails serving as a teaching assistant in a course previously completed with a satisfactory grade. Introduces strategies for the planning, preparation, presentation, and evaluation required for teaching at the college…

Organisms that inhabit northern climes face the incessant challenges of dramatic seasonal changes, intense cold, limited energy resources, reduced light levels, long-term snow and ice cover, and an ever-increasing amount…

This course offers an introductory view of the livestock industry: history, genetics and reproduction, nutrition, digestion, feeds and feeding, and breeding. Comparison of management systems for cattle, sheep, swine, and…

This course is an introductory survey of concepts in ecology with emphasis on ecosystem processes, community dynamics and biodiversity.  Topics include ecosystem energetics, nutrient cycling, global weather and climate, biomes…

A continuation of Senior Year Research Project I, Senior Year Research Project II enables students to continue work on the project. Students in SYRP II typically work on finishing research,…

This course explores the idea of American nature writing from a variety of perspectives. We will read traditional and contemporary examples of nature writing in order to examine the ways…

Making fabrics on a variety of looms. Students learn to design and weave beautiful and practical textiles with looms from many traditions.  Possibilities include European floor looms, South American backstrap…

Wool and other natural fibers invite students to explore technical aspects of fiber arts and the broader cultural influences thereof. Discussion and supplemental materials may include but are not limited…

This course is designed to give students an understanding of the fundamental elements of basic woodworking. This will be accomplished by planning, building, and exhibiting a specific woodworking project of…

Students in this course will gain an understanding of basic economic and management principles necessary to successfully operate a farm business. Students will also develop familiarity with financial tools such…

As humans, we are shaped by two main influences in our life: the natural world and our own culture. However, these two forces are not independent, but rather constantly shifting…

In seminar style students will examine their personal relationship to education and culture while exploring topics of race, privilege, power and cultural identify. Cultural influences will be examined to better…

Over the semester we will explore historical and current, as well as future, land use planning in our communities with hopes of better understanding the social and ecological implications of…

Students will gain an introductory understanding of conflict theory, effective models for conflict management and mediation, a context for critical analysis of societal institutions and paradigms in relation to conflict…

This course examines Vermont and U.S. environmental policies and laws from philosophical, historical and social perspectives. In doing so, we discuss how various stakeholders might view environmental issues and how…

This course aims to prepare students to discuss major themes in Conservation Biology, critically examine a range of sources to draw informed conclusions, and creatively develop solutions for the future….

This course is a biological exploration of vertebrates with emphasis on northern environments such as tundra, boreal forest, and northern hardwood forests. We survey the major taxonomic groups, including fishes,…

In this course students gain an understanding of the role of forest management in our society. Students will examine the forest as a dynamic natural system and engage in discussions…

This course is designed to help students develop a sense of place as they begin their Sterling college careers. The course allows participants to develop bonds with other incoming students…

Plein air painting and drawing allows us to explore the local landscape with a new perspective using natural light and its changing, ephemeral qualities. Landscape art heightens our understanding of…

A challenging hands-on, wheel throwing class. Students will explore and develop some mastery with a range of pottery forms and techniques. This is an intensive, studio based, skill building workshop…

This course will examine the dynamic interrelationships between humans and the Hudson River valley, historically and today.  How have humans adapted to and changed this landscape?  How have settlement patterns,…

Using readings from prominent thinkers, innovators, and scholars in sustainable and alternative agriculture and food systems, as well as through films, field trips and on-farm projects, we will explore the…

This course focuses on the intersection of climate change and social justice.  The course objectives are to provide historical perspective on current issues through examining an array of social justice…

Explores the cognitive and social foundations of an interactive learning environment. Students study experiential learning theory from a variety sources including (but not limited to) John Dewey, Circles of Courage,…

Geographic Information Systems (GIS) is a computerized framework for gathering, managing, analyzing, and presenting spatial data. GIS is a standard tool for planning and problem-solving in conservation and natural resources…

This class is based on the premise that anyone who intends to contribute positively to a community, whether through being an educator, a family member, or simply a citizen in…

Teaches the skills and knowledge necessary for the design and analysis of renewable energy designs that are applicable on a variety of scales. The tiny house exemplifies the approach of…

This course introduces students to the complete process of investigating field-based ecological questions.  In this class, students will pose questions about ecological phenomena, develop hypotheses, design experimental and/or observational studies,…

This course is a field-based exploration of the flora and vegetation of the North Woods, with an emphasis on the ecological interplay between temperate deciduous and boreal forest biomes. Students…

Examines a whole foods approach to nutrition along with an understanding of the chemical and biochemical properties of food and their interactions within the body. Considers the political, social and…

The course will provide students with an understanding of the ecological, social, and political aspects of a watershed. Combining a study of stream ecology and land use, we will gain…

This course examines the ecological foundations of sustainable agriculture practice to foster an understanding of the management and design of sustainable agroecosystems. Using a whole-system and multi-disciplinary approach students will…

Like their urban counterparts, rural areas have historically been a nexus of cultural intersection-places where migrants and immigrants have come for work, farming the land, mining resources, harvesting timber, and…

Entails serving as a teaching assistant in a course previously completed with a satisfactory grade. Introduces strategies for the planning, preparation, presentation, and evaluation required for teaching at the college…

Students interested in using draft power on the farm or in the forest will be faced with a myriad of challenges. To keep draft animals operating at peak efficiency, they…

Students in this course will help to support faculty and students enrolled in Expedition II as they develop skills and group dynamics through the second half of the fall semester…

An introduction to recreational Nordic Skiing including both classic and skate skiing for groomed trails. Ski waxing, equipment and proper clothing will be address as well as technical skiing skills….

This course is a comprehensive and in-depth look at the standards and skills dealing with backcountry emergency care. The Patient Assessment System is the foundation from which we learn the…

The course begins with an indoor introduction to the tools of the trade: ice tools, crampons, climbing boots, and ice screws. We cover proper clothing and comfort in the cold…

Paddling starts as soon as ice is off the rivers, usually the last week of March. Students must provide adequate cold weather and splash resistant clothing. Initial training with strokes…

This is a practical skills course investigating various types of farm-scale production of edible value-added products. Readings and discussion will focus on the food science, technical skills, cultural knowledge and…

Crag, cliff, and beyond dealing with challenging situations, trusting in others and ourselves, moving through fear and doubt to attain goals. Outdoor sessions begin with an introduction to the history…

In this course, students use horsepower to actively manage the College’s farm and forest. Typical work applications include equipment maintenance, logging, sugaring, soil fertility management, tillage, planting and cultivation. Economic…

This course introduces students to the systems required to safely manage and work a team of draft horses or oxen. Topics include the natural history of draft animals, functional anatomy,…

This course introduces the broad range of skills and concepts necessary for work in a farm or homestead scale woodlot, further forestry courses at Sterling, and wilderness trail work (where…

Woodlot Practices provides students the opportunity to implement a small component of the College’s forest management plan by harvesting trees using a variety of hand tools, emphasizing chainsaws.  Students learn…