UK: Organic England

Home to Shakespeare, King Arthur, the Beatles and Harry Potter, England has an enduring record as one of the world's most influential centers of cultural development. Because of this it is no surprise to find that England is on the forefront of the organic agriculture movement — with the goal to improve the environmental impact of growing food as well as to improve the health of its people.

On this program you'll learn first-hand about organic agriculture in the UK. We will spend some time touring London and meeting leaders of the organic and "slow food" movement. And we will spend five days in rural Wales volunteering at a model organic farm nestled in the mountains.

This program provides a great balance of exploration, community service, and fun. This is a great opportunity to see England while also learning about food production while sampling delicious organic food along the way.

Highlights include

• Volunteering on an organic farm in rural Wales, near the Cardigan Bay coastline
• Exploring the heart of London
• The Harry Potter tour of London
• Dining at restaurants that promote organic and slow food
• Meeting leaders in the organic and slow food movement

We'll spend five days living on an organic farm in rural Wales where you'll help herd sheep, feed chickens, bale hay, harvest vegetables, repair fences, and create wildlife habitats. While its hard work, it's rewarding (and delicious) to literally see the fruits of your labor. Students will receive 15 hours of community service credit for this program. The farm is a 100-acre model organic farm that specializes in producing organic, beef, sheep and vegetables. The farm is located in a gorgeous area of Wales nestled between a beautiful coastline, rolling hills and wild rugged mountains - just waiting to be explored!

Throughout the program we'll learn about food production by meeting with those leading this revolution, sampling delicious cuisine in both the rural and urban areas, and engaging in the growing and harvesting of organic food. In London, we'll visit a major commercial food processor as well as restaurants that are committed to supporting local farms and serving all organic food. In the countryside, we'll learn first hand about this process, and discuss the benefits and challenges to this "green wave," of food production.

For the culturally curious and those of you who are Harry Potter fans, you'll do a tour of London to see all the places mentioned in the books. We'll also hike in beautiful parks hidden in London, tour all the major sites and swim at amazing beaches. England has long enchanted the world and this will be an opportunity to see, touch, and taste the country in a very unique way.

During the London portion of the program, students and staff will stay at a hostel. While living at the farm, we will live in comfortable guest cottages, segregated by gender. Tuition includes all meals, including meals at restaurants as well as some amazing organic produce from British farms.