TELLURIDE – The University Centers of the San Miguel has established many new classes over the past year, including the Global Issues Seminar Series. The second installment of this series is titled The Food Crisis, and will be held on Monday evenings, Oct.13 through Nov.17 from 6-8 p.m. in Telluride.

“There are few topics more important than food and agriculture. It is central to sustainability, social justice, energy, resources, personal health, just about every facet of our lives and the entire planet,” said UCSM Executive Director Robyn Wilson, who will teach the class. Wilson has dual master’s degrees in bilingual education and sustainable communities, and completed her thesis on “Permaculture in El Salvador: An alternative to Neoliberal Development.”

The class will include a farm trip to Indian Ridge hosted by Kris Holstrom and Barclay Daranyi, and there will also be a visit from guest lecturer Jim Dyer, who is with the Sustainability Alliance of Southwest Colorado. Topics in the class will cover the history of agriculture, the green revolution, permaculture/ecological agriculture, peak oil, biodiversity, health/nutrition of the Western diet, and globalization, among others.

The total cost for the class including materials, tuition and registration is $160.

Those looking to sharpen their computer skills may want to consider taking the Microsoft Excel class, held on Wednesday evenings, Oct. 29 through Nov. 19 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. in Telluride. This is one of UCSM’s most popular classes because just about everyone needs to become proficient in this program. It is taught by Kathy Schroers in the Wilkinson Public Library Computer Lab.

Space in the classes is limited. For more information or to register, contact UCSM at 369-5255 or visit www.ucsanmiguel.org.