Re-envisioning Food Systems Impact Outcomes
Re-envisioning Food Systems
Students in the ReEnvisioning Food Systems Humanities Lab partnered with faculty member Teresa Foulger, a professor in the Mary Lou Fulton College for Teaching and Learning Innovation, and Julie Anand, a professor in the School of Art. The instruction team additionally included Social Sciences Assistant Librarian Tim Feller, and Humanities Division Assistant Librarian, Cami Garland. Collaboratively, the student-faculty-librarian team investigated food systems. The course's framework provided students a hands-on, interdisciplinary way to explore and rethink food systems. Over the semester, students collaborated with research partners, spent time at the ASU Farm and developed actionable concepts for a more sustainable and just food system.
Student Outcomes
Maker Project
The first chapter shares students’ hands-on experiences at the ASU Farm, which helped them learn about sustainability and food justice. Students worked together on projects that connected directly to the land. They explored desert ecosystems, experimented with soil and plants, and used what they learned to create projects with real-world impact. These activities encouraged careful observation, thoughtful action, and thinking about how ecological, social, and cultural systems are connected. Projects ranged from making small artifacts inspired by the earth to designing activities that involved the community and showed the importance of shared spaces. To learn more, click here.
Pollinators
Building on their hands-on experiences with food systems, the book also highlights the vital role of pollinators in sustainability. Students explored the challenges pollinator populations face, including habitat loss and environmental stress, and designed projects to support them. Activities ranged from planting pollinator-friendly flowers and creating small habitats to developing educational materials for the community. These projects showed how even the smallest parts of an ecosystem matter and emphasized the importance of thoughtful, community-based action. Photos could show students planting, installing habitats, or observing pollinators in action. To learn more, click here.
Soil Building
Another focus of the book is soil health and its role in strong ecosystems and resilient communities. Students explored how healthy soil can improve water efficiency, support native plants and wildlife, influence local climates, and provide a foundation for sustainable food systems. Through hands-on experiments and projects, they learned how managing soil thoughtfully connects to bigger goals like community resilience and environmental stewardship. Photos could show students testing or amending soil, planting in raised beds, and documenting soil improvement projects. To learn more, click here.
Edible Landscape
The final section of the book showcases how students transformed underused spaces into edible landscapes that address food insecurity. By blending sustainability, accessibility, and community engagement, they reimagined neglected areas as productive gardens that provide fresh food and spaces for learning, reflection, and connection. Through hands-on work, students reflected on their relationship with the land, engaged with Indigenous and local knowledge, and collaborated with community partners to see how small, mindful actions can create meaningful social and environmental impact. To learn more, click here.
Working With Land, Community, and Care
During the semester, student in the the Re-Envisioning Food Systems course created a class book featuring students’ hands-on maker projects that focused on sustainability, food justice, and community engagement, beginning with immersive learning at the ASU Farm. Through exploring desert ecosystems, soil health, pollinators, and edible landscapes, students designed projects with real-world impact, from creating ecosystems and improving soil to transforming underused spaces into productive gardens. Throughout the course, they reflected on their connection to the land, engaged with Indigenous and local knowledge, and worked alongside community partners. Re-Envisioning Food Systems shows how creativity, collaboration, and meaningful action can address food insecurity and inspire valuable environmental change.
End-of-Semester Community Celebration at Maya’s Farm
The Humanities Lab and ASU Farm hosted an end-of-semester celebration on December 5 at Maya’s Farm, bringing together students, faculty, local farmers, and community partners connected to the Spring 2026 Humanities Labs. Attendees explored student work from the Growing BioDiverse Cultures, Justice Through School Gardens, and ReEnvisioning Food Systems Labs, including sculptures, story maps, and fieldwork focused on food systems and community-based research. The gathering also featured a meal prepared by Indigenous chef Mario, alongside opportunities for students and guests to connect across the ASU farming and sustainability community.
I was a junior while taking this Lab. I had transferred to ASU the previous semester, so the course played an important role in helping me feel academically and socially connected to the university.
-- Johnathan Slaughter, Re-envisioning food systems, Humanities Lab
The collaborative aspect of bringing a project from seed to bloom is one that endures the flux of time and difficulty. It was heartwarming to see the final project come together
Two unexpected morning glory seeds - from the beginning of the semester - have sprouted. A surprise. A bit of barren soil I had figured wouldn’t bloom. Maybe strong work ethic is also being forgetful. Letting the seeds of the past come into the present in their own time. Trusting that they will. Maybe less doing and more being present is what’s needed in our “doing” energy soaked world. Life wants to happen. We’re here to witness it.
-- Grace Piontek, Re-envisioning food systems, Humanities Lab
Collaborative Partners
- Erica Lynne Hanson, Program Director, MFA/MA (Art) and Associate Professor, School of Art
- Joan Baron, Artist
- Maya Dailey, Steward of ASU Farm
- Matthew Ogborn, Associate Librarian
- Elizabeth Z Pineda, Artist
- Cultivating Civic Virtues Through Action
- ASU Farms
Note: The views presented or expressed on this page are those of the speaker or author only and do not necessarily represent the views of Arizona State University.