Land, Food & You invites teachers and counsellors to inspire the next generation of changemakers. Through interactive workshops, campus tours and information sessions, your students will explore how local and global food systems shape our world, and discover the degree programs offered through the Faculty of Land and Food Systems (LFS). Our Outreach Team will collaborate with you to design an experience that fits your classroom, whether it’s a visit to the UBC Farm, an information-packed presentation, or a hands-on workshop.
Our interactive workshops bring university-level thinking to your high school classroom. Led by the Outreach team, these sessions tackle topics like food security, sustainability, nutrition and resource economics with hands-on activities and lively discussion. Workshops can be delivered virtually or in person, giving your students a real taste of what it’s like to study within our degree programs.
These experiences encourage critical evaluation of real-world challenges such as climate change and animal welfare, and empower students to envision their own role in the food system. Ready to book? Complete our workshop request form. If your students would like to explore LFS programs further, discover more ways to connect with us here.
Explore our Available Workshops
Food, Nutrition and Health
| Workshop Title | Description | Recommended Classes |
|---|---|---|
| Intro to Food Science: Food Safety | Students will learn to distinguish helpful microbes from those that spoil or contaminate food and discover how practices like proper cooking, storage and hand‑washing keep food safe. Quizzes and interactive demonstrations illuminate concepts such as cross‑contamination and the “danger zone” temperature range. Teachers can expect an engaging session that builds scientific literacy and shows how food safety science connects to everyday life and future study options. | Science classes and Home Economics/Food Studies classes |
| Deep Dive into Diet and Wellness Culture | What exactly is “diet culture” and how does it influence our self‑image? Students unpack the definitions and prevalence of diet and wellness culture, examine how social media and advertising perpetuate unrealistic ideals, and learn about the size and profitability of the diet industry. Interactive polls and discussions help students identify misinformation, challenge harmful messages and explore alternatives like mindful and intuitive eating. The workshop encourages critical media literacy and compassionate conversation about body image, leaving students with tools to avoid the pitfalls of diet culture and support healthier relationships with food. | Home Economics/Food Studies classes |
Applied Animal Biology
| Workshop Title | Description | Recommended Classes |
|---|---|---|
| Animal Welfare and Ethics | Learn about animal sentience, dominant theories of animal welfare, and common challenges faced when animals are used in human society. Students examine what constitutes high animal welfare, compare ethical perspectives such as utilitarianism and animal rights, and discuss human–wildlife conflicts and coexistence strategies. Real‑world case studies and group activities illustrate how science and ethics guide policies in farming, research and conservation. By the end, students understand why welfare matters and how they can contribute to more humane interactions with animals. | Science classes |
Food and Resource Economics
| Workshop Title | Description | Recommended Classes |
|---|---|---|
| Supply Management in Canada | What does an economic system have to do with public nutrition, animal welfare and producer livelihoods? Students explore Canada’s supply‑management framework for dairy, poultry and eggs and learn how quotas, price mechanisms and import controls stabilize markets, ensure food safety and support rural communities. They’ll also debate criticisms around higher prices and trade barriers and take part in a role‑play or debate to understand how supply management affects farmers, consumers and policy‑makers. This workshop blends economics, policy and ethics to help students see the real‑world impact of food policy decisions. | Business Education classes |
| Behind the Label: Unpacking Food Choices | Why are fair‑trade labels and “eat local” messages so popular? This interactive workshop uses case studies to uncover misconceptions about ethical consumption. Through debates and critical‑thinking exercises, students examine how production methods, trade policies and marketing claims shape sustainability, greenhouse‑gas emissions and farmer welfare. They’ll leave with tools to question labels and understand the complex trade‑offs between fair trade and local foods, building the kind of informed, critical consumers we need in the food system. | Business Education classes and Home Economics/Food Studies classes |
Sustainable Agriculture and Environment
| Workshop Title | Description | Recommended Classes |
|---|---|---|
| Climate Change and Staple Foods | Staple foods make up the vast majority of the world’s energy and nutrient intake, and climate change has already begun to impact their quality and yield. This workshop explores how extreme weather, droughts and rising temperatures affect crops like rice, wheat and corn, and why even slight decreases in nutrient density matter for global health. Students will identify staple foods, review data on climate impacts and discuss adaptations such as resilient farming practices. They leave with a clearer picture of how climate change shapes food security and how fields like sustainable agriculture, food science and policy can address these challenges. | Science and Social Studies classes |
| Intro to Sustainable Agriculture and Environment: Soil Science | What is soil degradation and why does it matter? This workshop introduces students to soil science; where soil comes from, how it’s composed and why soil is a non‑renewable resource. Through discussions and hands‑on activities, students explore soil’s physical, chemical and biological properties, learn about soil health practices (minimizing disturbance, cover crops, biodiversity and living roots) and sort microbes through an interactive exercise. They come away understanding how soil supports sustainable food production and why protecting soil is essential for the environment and future generations. | Science classes |
| Appropriation of Staple Foods | Dive into the complexities of food gentrification and appropriation of staple foods in local and global food systems. Students define gentrification and cultural appropriation, then examine how traditional dishes become commercialized without benefiting the communities that created them. Through polls, discussion and real‑world examples, they question who profits from cultural foods and how to appreciate other cuisines respectfully. The session encourages critical thinking about power, identity and equity in our food choices. | Social Studies classes |
Land and Food Systems General
| Workshop Title | Description | Recommended Classes |
|---|---|---|
| Indigenous Ways of Knowing in Food Systems | Indigenous ways of living, knowing and being are commonly neglected from Western culture. This workshop introduces students to land acknowledgements and the diversity of Indigenous knowledge systems, highlighting how traditional knowledge has shaped food systems—from domesticating crops like corn and potatoes to sustaining biodiversity. Students explore case studies such as the Nova Scotia lobster conflict to see how colonial policies can restrict cultural foods, and they reflect on reconciliation and the importance of respecting Indigenous rights. | Social Studies classes |
| Social Justice in the Food Systems | Who grows our food, and who benefits? Focusing on gender and racial inequity, this session defines concepts like food justice and food insecurity and explores why women and racialized communities experience higher rates of hunger and poverty. Discussions and mini‑case studies encourage students to connect colonial history, labour dynamics and land access to food security issues. They’ll consider strategies for change, from supporting Indigenous food sovereignty to challenging systemic racism, and discover how Land and Food Systems programs help students address these pressing social‑justice questions. | Social Studies classes |
| Literature Research Techniques | How can I find credible sources for my research project? This workshop highlights key tools and techniques for navigating databases, refining search strategies, and evaluating the quality of research sources. | All classes |
We are lucky to have the Centre For Sustainable Food Systems at the UBC Farm in our own backyard. Our Outreach team can lead your group on a tour to learn more about:
- The exciting research happening at the Farm
- How LFS students engage with the Farm both in and outside their classes
- The UBC Farm’s Indigenous initiatives when you visit the hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓-speaking xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) territory.
If you are interested in joining us for an in-person farm tour, please contact the LFS Student Recruitment Coordinator.
If you have students interested in learning more about the Faculty of Land and Food Systems and our programs, our Outreach team can visit you virtually or in-person to give an engaging presentation. They can cover topics such as:
- What makes our Faculty and programs unique
- Our four Undergraduate BSc Degrees
- The student experience
- Admissions next steps to LFS at UBC
If your students are interested in learning more about themes explored in our programs, you can email us to request a customized visit.
Meet the Outreach Team
We are the LFS Student Outreach Team – current LFS students who are working with the LFS Student Services team to meet prospective students interested in applying to our programs and to raise the profile of our exciting Faculty. If you are joining us for an event, like Taste of LFS or LFS Welcomes You, or want to work with us to coordinate a Land, Food, and You program with your school, do not hesitate to reach out. We can’t wait to meet you! You can learn more about our LFS experience and why we chose this Faculty for our post-secondary studies in our bios below.
Tuan Hoang
Student Recruitment Coordinator
Data Analytics
After my degree, I hope to apply my skills in food policy and market analysis to help build a more sustainable and equitable food system.
Kim Ngo
International Outreach Coordinator
Double Major in Food and Nutritional Sciences
After my degree, I hope to stay in Canada and work in either the food industry or healthcare, applying my skills in areas like R&D, quality control, or hospital food service.
Kynzie Wagar
Indigenous Outreach Coordinator
Applied Animal Biology
I have always had a love of animals and science! After finishing my undergraduate degree in Applied Animal Biology, I hope to go to veterinary school.
What Comes Next?
If you’re interested in a unique first-year experience, explore Land One: our first-year cohort program in collaboration with the Faculty of Forestry.
EXPLORE LAND ONEStill Have Questions?
Whether you’ve got questions about your program, your experience or your next steps, LFS Student Services is here to help. Get in touch.
CONTACT US