The Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, located in Grafton, MA, is home to several interdisciplinary research and education areas. The academic activities at the Cummings School do not operate in a vacuum, but are instead intentionally connected to public health, animal welfare, environmental health, and translational medicine. These areas are certainly connected to food systems. Animals make important parts of many of our current food systems. Below are some areas of the Cummings School that connect directly to food systems. If you know of other activities at the Cummings School that belong here, please let us know!
The on the 594 acres of the Cummings School campus, there is a 200-acre working farm. The farm raises beef cattle, sheep, goats, dairy replacement heifers, laying hens, pigs, corn and hay. As food, in this case, livestock, is naturally the central node of all food systems, the way the Cummings School Farm connects to food systems does not take much explaining. The animals are used extensively in teaching in a variety of core and elective courses. While most of the animals are raised for food and fiber production, certain species are involved in research projects and are provided to other research institutions. This gives students a chance to connect their veterinary education to food systems directly. Find out more about the Cummings School Farm here!
One of the four academic departments at the Cummings School, the Department of Environmental and Population Health has the most to do with food systems. As the name implies, students in the Department study environmentally-conscious methods of improving the health, well-being, and viability of farm and laboratory animals. These studies factor greatly into food systems, as the improvement of the health and well-being of farm animals is essential for the creation of sustainable food systems. Find out more about the Department of Environmental and Population Health here!
The Department of Infectious Disease Global Health (IDGH) approaches infectious disease research, public health, international medicine, wildlife medicine, and conservation medicine through an interdisciplinary lens that aims to improve the population health of animals, people, and the environment. Food systems link animals, people, and the environment. Preventing the spread of infectious diseases throughout food systems is an enormous challenge for public health. This department is comprised of clinicians, basic scientists, and field researchers who are dedicated to teaching, clinical service, and global health research. The IDGH is a great place for students interested in bridging veterinary medicine with food systems and public health. Find out more about the Department of IDGH here!