About the Sustainable Agriculture & Food Fellows Program

The Sustainable Agriculture & Food (SAF) Fellows Program provides students an opportunity to contribute to the goals and priorities of the UC Global Food Initiative. This fellowship opportunity allows students to play a key role in efforts to increase food security, health, and sustainability. The program, which began in fall 2014, is open to both undergraduate and graduate students, and administered at each location to ensure that student efforts align with local needs.

Previously known as the Global Food Initiative Fellows, the SAF Fellows program and the Climate Action Fellows (CAF) program were recently reorganized under the Bonnie Reiss Leading on Climate Initiative. Together these two fellowship opportunties support support climate action and sustainable food efforts across the University.

Sustainable Agriculture & Food Fellow Project Areas

Project Fellows can work on projects related to advancing sustainable agriculture and the University’s sustainable food goals. Potential projects areas include, but are not limited to:

•  Aligning definitions and reporting of sustainable and plant-based food procurement.
• Conducting data collection and analysis of current institutional food procurement.
• Investigating opportunities for increasing sustainable food on campus or local food pantries.
• Working directly with food service procurement and operations staff to identify challenges and potential solutions related to increasing sustainable food procurement.
• Identifying the cost differences associated with switching to sustainable suppliers to meet the UC’s sustainable food procurement goal and how it may impact menu planning.
• Completing or auditing the food service annual reporting for the systemwide Sustainability Annual Report.
• Developing case studies on sustainable food procurement actions taken by locations.
• Preparing grant submissions to support sustainable food priorities.
• Implementing sustainable and regenerative agriculture practices at a campus or community farm. 

Considering applying?  You may also be interested in our other fellowship opportunity - Climate Action Fellows Program. Click here for more information.

Program Details and Application Materials

Leading on Climate Student Fellowship Program Guidelines and Responsibilities 2024-25

• This Guidelines & Responsibilities document released by the UC Office of the President (UCOP) provides a detailed overview of general responsibilities for Bonnie Reiss Leading on Climate Fellowships - Sustainable Agriculture & Food Fellows and Climate Action Fellows.

UC Davis SAF Fellows Program - Call for Applications

• Updated annually, this call for applications describes specific projects available for selected Sustainable Agriculture & Food (SAF) Fellows.

SAF Fellows Program Application Form

• This Application Form must accompany the application submitted on Handshake. 

Fellowship Benefits

• Fellows are each awarded $5000, distributed incrementally during Fall, Winter, and Spring quarters

Eligibility

• Graduate and undergaduate students are eligible.
• Full-time enrolled UC Davis students in good academic standing.
• Applications will be reviewed on the basis of several applicant characteristics, including but not limited to commitment to and familiarity with sustainable agriculture and food principles, collaborative spirit, demonstrated ability to contribute to a team, likelihood to successfully accomplish fellowship project goals, maturity, and attention to detail.
• International students are eligible, though special accommodations may need to be made regarding financial award eligibility

To apply:

1. Apply to Handshake Job #9187311

2. Include in your application each of the following documents. Please be sure to upload each document in PDF format, labeled with a descriptive filename that includes your last name and the contents of the document. For example “[YOURLASTNAME]_SAF_Application_Form”

   • SAF Fellows Program Application form
   • Current resume or CV
   • Current advising transcripts (an official transcript is NOT required
   • Work Sample. A 1-2 page work sample that demonstrates writing, communication skills, creativity skills, and/or organizational skills relevant to this position. This work sample may be something produced for a course, previous employer, or other professional context.

Application Deadline: Sunday, September 15 2024, 11:59 PM.

Questions? If you have questions, please contact: Carla Fresquez ccfresquez@ucdavis.edu