College of Agriculture & Natural Resources Department of Community Sustainability

Sarah Hubbard, is a Michigan State University (MSU) Environmental Studies and Sustainability senior in the Department of Community Sustainability with a minor in sustainable agriculture and food systems.

“I chose MSU because the Department of Community Sustainability really stood out to me. Many schools offer undergraduate programs in environmental science, but very few offer programs that are so interdisciplinary in sustainability,” Hubbard said. “I chose to focus on sustainable agriculture because our food and agricultural systems are incredibly complex in part because they are deeply rooted in both the natural sciences and social sciences.”

Environmental Studies and Sustainability students examine resource use and allocation through the lenses of community engagement, sustainability and environmental justice. Students benefit from a broad range of disciplinary and interdisciplinary courses, and methods to enhance students’ technical knowledge.

“I am deeply passionate about creating sustainable solutions that support well-being and increase the resilience of our environment, our communities and our social systems,” she said.

“I was always somewhat aware of the environmental issues that were happening around me, but after taking AP environmental science, I realized that many of our humanitarian issues are interrelated with environmental and sustainability issues. Once I understood the full scope of environmental sustainability, I felt obligated to pursue a path that would allow me to be a part of solving these issues.”

Hubbard is an undergraduate research assistant with Dr. Hodbod in the Hodbod Lab for the project: Values and adoption in regenerative grazing practices and associated well-being outcomes for cow-calf producers. Additionally, she is involved with the Residential Initiative on the Study of the Environment (RISE), Spartan Sierra Club, MSU Bug Club, and has been the farm manager for both the Bailey Greenhouse and Urban Farm.

“Working in Dr. Hodbod’s research lab has been the most invaluable experience for me. I have been working with her as a research assistant since my freshman year on her project studying well-being and resilience in Michigan grazing systems. Through this position, I have gotten to apply what I have learned in my courses to real-world systems and, given the unique opportunity to work so closely with Dr. Hodbod, I have been able to deepen my understanding of sustainability concepts and experience what it means to conduct sustainability research,” she explained.

After graduation Hubbard plans to pursue a Ph.D. and continue conducting sustainable agriculture research with a focus on resilience, community impacts and social outcomes. Ultimately, she aspires to have a career in academia, where she can teach, research and work with communities to develop more sustainable food systems.

Hubbard is one of the 2022 CANR Alumni Association Scholarship recipients.

Name: Sarah Hubbard

Hometown: Imlay City, Mich.

Major: Environmental Studies and Sustainability, B.S., and a minor in Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems.

Expected graduation date: May 2023

Why did you choose your major and why MSU?
I am deeply passionate about creating sustainable solutions that support well-being and increase the resilience of our environment, our communities and our social systems. I chose to focus on sustainable agriculture because our food and agricultural systems are incredibly complex in part because they are deeply rooted in both the natural sciences and social sciences. It is understood that we need to protect ecological processes if agricultural operations are to remain functioning, but agricultural systems are also deeply personal to the members of a community, and changes can significantly impact livelihoods. These characteristics emphasize the importance of creating long-term community-based solutions that meet the needs of both the ecological environment and the people within it. Creating these kinds of solutions is what I am most passionate about.

I chose MSU because the department of community sustainability really stood out to me. Many schools offer undergraduate programs in environmental science, but very few offer programs that are so interdisciplinary in sustainability. Additionally, as someone interested in agriculture systems, MSU is one of the best schools in the country.

Who or what inspired your interest in the major you selected?
I was always somewhat aware of the environmental issues that were happening around me, but after taking AP environmental science, I realized that many of our humanitarian issues are interrelated with environmental and sustainability issues. Once I understood the full scope of environmental sustainability, I felt obligated to pursue a path that would allow me to be a part of solving these issues.

What has been one of your best experiences within your major so far?
Working in Dr. Hodbod’s research lab has been the most invaluable experience for me. I have been working with her as a research assistant since my freshman year on her project studying well-being and resilience in Michigan grazing systems. Through this position, I have gotten to apply what I have learned in my courses to real-world systems and, given the unique opportunity to work so closely with Dr. Hodbod, I have been able to deepen my understanding of sustainability concepts and experience what it means to conduct sustainability research.

What do you want others to know about this major?
It is a lot more than just recycling, and taking shorter showers, it’s about understanding systems and communities and using diverse problem-solving skills to build resilience within our communities. It’s not just about solving the ecological problems, it’s also about ensuring our systems support equity, financial security and livelihood development — among other things.

What are some of the best things about being an MSU student?
Having numerous opportunities, both locally and globally, as well as getting to learn and work on a beautiful campus.

Any thoughts or advice for current or new students?
My advice would be to connect with your professors and faculty. There are a lot of people here who are doing incredible work and they want us to reach out and get involved. Often those experiences can lead you to find your niche and can open doors for future opportunities. Even if they don’t do work in your specific area of interest, it’s a unique opportunity to get to be surrounded by experts in so many different fields. If you take advantage of that you might make some cool connections.

What are your future plans?
After I graduate, I plan to attend graduate school to earn my Ph.D. I plan to continue conducting sustainable agriculture research with a focus on resilience, community impacts and social outcomes. Then, ideally, I would like to work in academia, where I can teach, research and work with communities to develop more sustainable food systems.