Advancing organic at EcoFarm and Marbleseed

"As the Swette Center continues to engage in national conversations and projects around organic agriculture, attending the EcoFarm Conference and the Marbleseed Organic Farming Conference provided a valuable opportunity to listen, learn, and contribute to shaping what comes next."

Model USDA musings: Young minds coming together

"Their ability to step into unfamiliar roles, articulate opposing viewpoints, and engage in constructive dialogue showcased the kind of leadership that will soon be entering the workforce to help create a sustainable food system."

Meet Mark Kuechel: Citrus farmer, celery connoisseur, conservation expert

"What color is a lemon when it’s ripe? The answer may surprise you, but it’s actually green, not yellow. This fun fact was just one piece of knowledge shared by Mark Kuechel on a visit to his farm in Yuma, Arizona."

Model USDA musings: Accelerating school nutrition

"Students debated the role of alternative proteins, the economic impact of ultra-processed foods on farmers, and the need for policies that balance public health goals with industry realities."

Project Cities Tempe

From sludge to solutions: ASU students collaborate with city of Tempe on water treatment

We’re thrilled to share that Project Cities has been featured in ASU News for our exciting collaboration with the City of Tempe! This partnership has brought together Arizona State University

Meet Swette Center staff member, Rylie Lewis

Read on for an interview with Rylie Lewis, Research Specialist, to explore her background in food systems, what she's currently working on, and her vision of food systems transformation.

Model USDA musings: Reporting on urban agriculture strategy development

"This three-day event demonstrated the power of collaboration and innovation in addressing urban farming challenges and underscored the value of storytelling in shaping policy outcomes."

Model USDA musings: Stepping into the shoes of a policymaker

"As one of the leaders in the inaugural Model USDA, I had the opportunity to witness students roleplay as various food policy decision-makers for the simulation’s Scenario C: Growing urban agriculture."

Hands in soil, heart in community

ASU Farm is not just about pulling weeds or attending lectures—it's about contributing to a vision that ties sustainability, education, and community together.

Firefighters battling a blaze in a smoky field at night, with intense flames and thick smoke filling the air. A helicopter is visible in the background, silhouetted against the dark, smoke-filled sky, assisting in the firefighting efforts.

GFSS scholar examines fire’s impact on humanity and reshaping the planet

Stephen Pyne, Emeritus Professor of Life Sciences at Arizona State University, recently published an article in The Conversation titled Human use of fire has produced an era of uncontrolled burning:

A tractor and harvesting machine working together in a large field, cutting and collecting crops under a cloudy sky, with rows of harvested crops visible in the foreground.

Senior Global Futures scientist discusses the multifaceted role of the USDA

Kathleen Merrigan, Executive Director of the Swette Center for Sustainable Food Systems at Arizona State University and former USDA Deputy Secretary, recently authored an article exploring the multifaceted role of

Meet Swette Center staff member, Allison (Allie) Lansman

Read on for an interview with Allison (Allie) Lansman, Research Specialist, to explore her background in food systems, what she's currently working on, and her vision of food systems transformation.