Expanding and Diversifying Careers in Sustainable Food Systems along the US-Mexico Border

OUR MISSION

Better Food Futures (BFF) NextGen at SDSU is a collaborative initiative dedicated to restoring our food systems. We empower a diverse new generation of professionals to tackle global climate pressures through the power of regenerative agriculture and sustainable development. By bridging the gap between ecology and food production, we are building a more resilient future for our planet.

Through hands-on research and community collaboration, I’ve learned that sustainable food futures grow from understanding soil, space, and equity — inspiring me to deepen this work in my graduate studies.

— Cameron Schilling, NextGen undergraduate student

OUR CAUSE

Global pressures are pushing our food systems to a breaking point, causing environmental decay and unstable livelihoods. We harness regenerative agriculture to not just sustain the land, but actively renew it. From sustainable oyster farming at "El Pedregal" to protecting migratory bird habitats in San Quintín, we focus on circular economies and environmental health. By restoring what has been lost, we create a resilient foundation for the next generation of leaders to protect our shared natural resources.

OUR OBJECTIVES

240

UNDERGRADUATE SCHOLARS

Empowering 240 undergraduate students through focused experiential learning, classroom-based research, and field schools that connect community knowledge with regenerative agriculture.

TARGETED SCHOLARSHIPS

Providing 50 scholarships for participants in specialized workshops, ensuring students from diverse backgrounds have the financial support to lead the next generation of food science.

STRATEGIC PARTNERS

Collaborating with over 32 internal and external stakeholders, including four USDA agencies and three Mexico-based universities, to build a diverse and resilient FANH workforce.

OUR LATEST NEWS

Exploring Baja California

In collaboration with CICESE, we brought together a diverse group of students and researchers from across the Americas to explore the rich biodiversity of the California Floristic Province in Baja California.

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Community Celebration Day

Hosted by Garden 31, The SDSU IV Edible Garden and NextGen teams joined forces with local volunteers to transform the Spring Valley garden, one tree at a time.

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Speaker Event - Dr. Stacy Philpot

An insightful presentation on the social and landscape drivers of biodiversity in urban agroecosystems.

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GET IN TOUCH

Address

Biology Department,

5500 Campanile Dr, San Diego, CA 92182

Contact

(619) 594-3080

BFF.Nextgen@sdsu.edu