Farm, Food Fashion Study Tour

This wasn't just a class; it was an all-access pass to the future of how we eat, wear, and inhabit the world. We didn't just talk about sustainability, we experienced it firsthand through visiting the farms, sustainable designers, circularity labs and more. We traded the traditional classroom for the real world, logging miles from the skyscrapers of NYC to the vast plains of West Texas.

The Big Apple Expedition

We hit the pavement in New York to see urban sustainability in action:

• The Tech & Design: Explored the future of biomaterials at Helena Elston Studio and saw circularity at scale with Helpsy and Fabscrap.
• The Growth: Scaled the heights of Brooklyn Grange Rooftop Farm and went back to basics at Brooklyn Granary and Mill.
• The Craft: Met the sheep at Windswept Farm and mastered the art of color with Kelocabay Natural Dye.

The Lubbock Deep Dive

We headed to the heart of Texas agriculture to see where the science begins:

• The Lab: Toured the Fiber and Biopolymer Research Center.
• The Science: Got an inside look at the USDA-ARS (Agricultural Research Services) to see how the next generation of fibers is being engineered.

Keeping it Local

We found innovation right in our own backyard with visits to:

• FarmHouse Fresh: Seeing "Grown to Glow" skincare in action.
• Deloitte University: Exploring corporate sustainability at scale.
• UNT Roots: Visiting our very own Sustainable Arts Garden and UNT Dining Services to see how our campus closes the loop.

Future-Forward Insights

Beyond the trips, we went "behind the code" with a guest lecture from the founder of Sortile. We explored how AI-powered scanning technology is revolutionizing the way we sort and recycle textiles, proving that the future of fashion is as much about data as it is about design.

"We don't just consume products; we participate in ecosystems."

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This course offered undergraduate and graduate students a front-row seat to the complete life cycle of food and fiber. We moved beyond the textbook to explore how agricultural systems transform into the products we use every day, with a relentless focus on regenerative, circular, and sustainable solutions. Our semester was defined by four major field studies, taking us from the nation’s capital to the heart of Texas and the rural beauty of South Carolina.

Washington D.C. | Policy & Practice

We went to the source of agricultural oversight and urban innovation, visiting the USDA Headquarters and the UDC Urban Sustainability Farm to see how food systems thrive in the heart of the city. 

Lubbock, TX | The Science of Fiber

We traveled to West Texas to explore the cutting edge of material science at the Fiber and Biopolymer Research Center and the USDA Agricultural Research Services (USDA-ARS).

Townville, SC | The Source

Students got hands-on experience with the origins of our supply chain, visiting an animal fiber farm and a food farm to understand the regenerative practices required to raise quality raw materials.

Local Impact: Closing the Loop in North Texas

We didn't just travel far; we looked deep into our own community to see how sustainability works on a local scale:

• McKinney: Toured a farm-to-restaurant operation and a farm-to-skincare brand to see vertical integration in action.
• Denton: Visited the local landfill and recycling center to face the "end-of-life" stage of the product cycle and discuss how to design it out of existence.

Expert Voices

Our learning was enriched by industry leaders who are currently rewriting the rules of the global supply chain:

• Policy & Advocacy: A Research and Communications Specialist from American Circular Textiles.
• Innovation: A former executive in Sustainable Material Sourcing & Fabric Development.
• Engineering: The Director of Environmental Engineering at the EPA.

"Sustainability isn't a destination; it’s a circular journey that begins and ends with the earth."

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