Agriculture in Peace Corps Prep Program
Lead grassroots efforts to fight hunger in a changing world. Agricultural Volunteers work with small-scale farmers and families to increase food security and production and adapt to climate change while promoting environmental conservation practices. They introduce farmers to techniques that prevent soil erosion, reduce the use of harmful pesticides, and replenish the soil. They work alongside farmers on integrated projects that often combine vegetable gardening, livestock management, agroforestry, and nutrition education.
If you choose Agriculture, take three courses from one of the following areas:
- Biological Sciences
- Business
- Geography & Geology
Recommended courses:
- BIO 3312 Horticulture
- BIO 3322 Dendrology
- BIO 3510 Plant Physiology
- BIO 3520 Animal Physiology
- BIO 3612 Plant Evolution & Diversity
- BIO 3710 Plant-Animal Interactions
- BIO 3180 Introduction to Ecology & Evolution
- BIO 4810 Plant Ecology
- BIO 4812 Fisheries Ecology & Management
- BIO 4814 Conservation Biology
- BIO 4914 Plant Anatomy
- BIO 4940 Phycology
- BIO 4942 Mycology
- BIO 4944 Lichens
- BIO 4946 Bryology
- o BIO 4950 Ichthyology
- BIO 4952 Herpetology
- BIO 4956 Mammalogy
- Bio 4954: Orinthology
- BIO 4964: Entomology
- GEO 2000: Food and Agriculture
- GEO 3810: Introduction to GIS
And build 50 hours of related field experience through an activity such as:
- Working with a large-scale or family-run business involving vegetable gardening, farming, nursery work, tree planting or care, urban forestry, landscaping, livestock care and management, or fish cultivation and production
- Teaching or tutoring the public in environmental or agricultural issues/activities
- Working on the business management or marketing side of a commercial farm
- Volunteer at the EIU Campus Food Pantry
- Work/Volunteer at the Charleston Farmers Market
- Seek Opportunities at the Coles County Soil & Water Conservations District
- Work at a family-run agricultural business involving vegetable gardening, farming, nursery work, and so forth.
- Volunteer with Fit-2-Serve
- Volunteer with EIU Sustainability Garden
- Volunteer with the Charleston Food Forest