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    Digging Into Rhode Island's Food System
    In-person Program

    Digging Into Rhode Island's Food System

    by Brown Pre-College Programs

    Study food systems through farm, dairy, and food bank service learning, then develop a community Action Plan connecting sustainability with leadership.

    Last verified: 9 Oct 2026Reviewed by:SSSean Stevens

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    Digging Into Rhode Island's Food System at a glance: cost, dates and eligibility

    Current status

    Upcoming

    Eligibility

    Completing grades 10–12

    Age range / Year group

    Ages 16-18

    Location / Region

    Providence, Rhode Island, United States

    Cost

    $6,274

    Duration

    12 days

    Format

    In-person

    Next deadline

    Not announced · Next cycle not announced

    Get next-cycle reminder
    Environmental ScienceSocial Sciences
    Accommodation: Residence halls; shared bathrooms
    Meals: Three meals daily
    Certificate / Outcome: Digital certificate and Course Performance Report
    Campus experience: Brown campus and food-system site visits
    Instructor: Cassidee Jones, Farm Fresh RI
    Main output: Community Action Plan and presentation
    Daily sessions: 9:30–11:30 a.m.; 2–5 p.m.; evening program

    Digging Into Rhode Island's Food System summary

    This food systems course connects environmental questions with local service learning at farms, a dairy, and a food bank. Students examine how producers respond to waste and unsustainable agricultural practices.

    The BELL experience combines lessons, field visits, leadership workshops, and communal living. Students develop an Action Plan that applies their learning to an issue in their home community.

    It suits students who want practical environmental engagement and group participation. The full-day structure requires sustained involvement in both academic and community activities.

    What is Digging Into Rhode Island's Food System?

    Digging Into Rhode Island's Food System is a Brown University Pre-College course within the Brown Environmental Leadership Lab in Rhode Island. It examines subsidies, food waste, and unsustainable agricultural practices through local producers' responses. Students connect these questions with service learning at farms, a dairy, and a food bank.

    The residential BELL experience combines classroom lessons, discussions, group work, and field visits with leadership development. Students identify a community issue and build an Action Plan with support from instructors and peers. Communal living and shared daily tasks extend the learning beyond scheduled lessons.

    Why Succeed highlights Digging Into Rhode Island's Food System

    • Service learning across farms, a dairy, and a food bank gives food sustainability a concrete local context.

    • Instructor Cassidee Jones brings community education experience at Farm Fresh RI and graduate study in Food and Development.

    • The Action Plan links environmental learning with a feasible project students can pursue at home.

    • A Course Performance Report provides instructor evaluation alongside the completion certificate.

    Who is Digging Into Rhode Island's Food System for?

    Best for

    Students interested in food sustainability, community service, and environmental leadership who enjoy learning through local visits and group work.

    Not ideal if

    You need time for another course, prefer independent daily scheduling, or would find communal living and reduced phone use difficult.

    Is Digging Into Rhode Island's Food System worth it?

    The course is a strong option if you want to connect food sustainability with community action. Visits and service learning expose you to different parts of the food system, while the Action Plan gives your learning a practical direction.

    Its value depends on wanting the full residential and group experience, including physical activity and shared responsibilities. The course is non-credit, and Brown states that Pre-College is not a prospecting program for undergraduate admission. Choose it for subject exploration and community engagement rather than an expected admissions advantage.

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    A practical overview of cost, accommodation, meals, dates and provider details to review before deciding.

    Cost and what is included

    $6,274; includes Course instruction and Action Plan workshops, All program activities and excursions, Residence hall housing, Three meals daily, on and off campus, Transportation to and from program site visits, Access to fitness, athletic, and aquatics centers, Digital completion certificate and Course Performance Report.

    Accommodation

    Residence halls; shared bathrooms

    Meals

    Three meals daily

    Supervision or safety information

    Program staff live on site and provide support and supervision around the clock. Students remain with the group during lessons and community activities and check in with residential staff at 10 p.m.

    Provider details

    Review the Brown Pre-College Programs provider page and official sources before making a final decision.

    Dates and logistics

    12 days; Providence, Rhode Island, United States.

    What to check before committing

    Confirm current dates, payment terms, travel arrangements, cancellation rules and what is included with the provider.

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    How much preparation does Digging Into Rhode Island's Food System need?

    Effort level

    High daily commitment.

    Best started

    Allow several weeks for application materials, then complete Canvas orientation and pre-work during the two weeks before arrival.

    Main challenge

    Sustaining group participation while adapting to residential life and outdoor activity.

    Typical preparation

    • Gather current and previous academic year grades and draft the required 250–500-word application essay.

    • Ask a potential recommender early; Brown strongly suggests a recommendation for BELL applicants.

    • Plan clothing and footwear for outdoor learning in changeable New England weather.

    • Discuss communication, medication management, and dietary or accessibility needs with your family before arrival.

    Useful if

    You want to turn environmental interests into a feasible community project.

    What do students do on Digging Into Rhode Island's Food System?

    You investigate food sustainability through lessons, producer visits, and service learning while participating in BELL's residential community. Leadership workshops help you turn a community concern into an Action Plan.

    Step-by-step process

    1. 1

      Join orientation and explore the course's food systems questions.

    2. 2

      Visit Big Train Farm, Wright’s Dairy, and Brown Dining Services in the illustrative itinerary.

    3. 3

      Explore West Passage Oyster Farm and take a Southside walking tour.

    4. 4

      Participate in campus lessons, discussions, and RI Community Food Bank service.

    5. 5

      Develop your community Action Plan with instructor and peer support.

    6. 6

      Present your Action Plan before departure.

    Digging Into Rhode Island's Food System dates and deadlines

    Next cycle not announced yet. These dates are from the latest verified cycle and should be used as a reference only.

    Application deadline

    15 May 2026

    Extended Brown Pre-College application deadline; course enrollment is a separate step.

    Reference date

    BELL Rhode Island: Digging Into Rhode Island's Food System — Session 2AL

    21 June-2 July 2026

    Residential session with arrival, orientation, and closing Action Plan presentations.

    Reference date

    BELL Rhode Island: Digging Into Rhode Island's Food System — Session 2BL

    5-16 July 2026

    Residential session with arrival, orientation, and closing Action Plan presentations.

    Reference date

    Applications open

    14 January 2026

    Brown Pre-College application opening for the 2026 cycle.

    Reference date

    Pre-departure orientation

    12 April 2026

    Required student and parent session at 1 p.m. Eastern Time; a recording is provided for conflicts.

    Reference date

    Final admission decisions

    22 May 2026

    Brown Pre-College's final decision notification date.

    Reference date

    Eligibility and requirements

    • Complete grades 10–12 before participating.

    • Be ages 16–18 by June 14, 2026.

    • Have strong English proficiency for college-level study and daily communication.

    • Submit accepted English test results when required.

    • Complete required medical forms and immunization documentation.

    • Attend every program day, lesson, site visit, and evening workshop.

    How much does Digging Into Rhode Island's Food System cost?

    Residential program fee

    $6,274 — 2026 BELL Rhode Island total.

    Funding or discounts

    • Application fee: $80 — Non-refundable; qualifying applicants may request a waiver.
    • Enrollment deposit: $500 — Required before enrollment; normally non-refundable.
    • Conditional insurance fee: $80 — Applies to international students and U.S. students without adequate insurance.
    • Scholarships: Sibley and PPSD — Separate applications and eligibility requirements apply.

    What's included

    Course instruction and Action Plan workshops, All program activities and excursions, Residence hall housing, Three meals daily, on and off campus, Transportation to and from program site visits, Access to fitness, athletic, and aquatics centers, Digital completion certificate and Course Performance Report

    How to apply to Digging Into Rhode Island's Food System

    1. 1

      Create one applicant account through Brown's official Student Portal.

    2. 2

      Complete the application form and original 250–500-word essay.

    3. 3

      Upload current and previous academic year grades in English.

    4. 4

      Pay the $80 application fee or request a qualifying waiver.

    5. 5

      Provide English test results when required and any recommendation you elect to submit.

    6. 6

      Monitor the portal for additional-material requests and your admission decision.

    7. 7

      After admission, confirm the intended course before paying the $500 deposit.

    8. 8

      Enroll separately in the food systems course and complete required forms and orientation.

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    What does Digging Into Rhode Island's Food System cover?

    The program covers the following focus areas.

    Food system sustainability

    Examine how subsidies, waste, and agricultural practices affect the food system.

    Local production

    Explore producers' responses through farm and dairy service learning.

    Food service and community

    Connect food distribution with a dining services tour and food bank service.

    Environmental leadership

    Use leadership workshops to develop a feasible community Action Plan.

    Curriculum may be adjusted based on participant interests and current developments.

    What is a typical day on Digging Into Rhode Island's Food System?

    A typical day during the program.

    Breakfast and community

    Breakfast runs 7:30–9 a.m., followed by community tasks from 9–9:30 a.m.

    Morning session

    Lessons or field activities are followed by lunch and solo reflection time.

    Afternoon session

    Continue classroom learning or site visits before free time and supper.

    Evening program

    Participate in evening programming, with residential check-in at 10 p.m.

    Who teaches on Digging Into Rhode Island's Food System?

    Brown identifies Cassidee Jones as the food systems course instructor and Community Education Manager at Farm Fresh RI. She holds a bachelor's degree in Political Science and History and a master's degree in Food and Development.

    BELL instructors and peers support students through Action Plan workshops.

    Where do students stay on Digging Into Rhode Island's Food System?

    Residential plan

    • Residence hall rooms: Private or shared rooms with up to two peers include college furniture, Wi-Fi, and cooling.
    • Three daily meals: Meals on and off campus are included, primarily through Brown dining halls.
    • Support and supervision: Staff live on site and provide round-the-clock support with nightly residential check-ins.
    • Community and facilities: Students share daily tasks and have access to laundry and fitness, athletic, and aquatics centers.

    Students bring their own linens; bathrooms are shared, and BELL housing is separate from other on-campus programs.

    What happens after Digging Into Rhode Island's Food System?

    After completing this program, participants often pursue:

    Develop a feasible Action Plan for your home community.

    Present your project at the closing program.

    Receive a digital Certificate of Completion after successful participation.

    Receive an instructor Course Performance Report.

    Use the experience to explore environmental studies and leadership interests.

    The course is non-credit and does not produce a university transcript or promise an undergraduate admissions advantage.

    Where does Digging Into Rhode Island's Food System take place?

    The program is based at Brown University in Providence, with food systems site visits around the region and check-in at Machado House, 87 Prospect Street. T.F. Green International Airport is the closest airport, and Boston's Logan Airport is accessible from Providence by bus or train.

    Families arrange transportation to and from campus; Brown includes transportation for program site visits.

    Digging Into Rhode Island's Food System FAQs

    Students examine subsidies, food waste, and unsustainable agricultural practices, then explore how local producers respond. Service learning includes farms, a dairy, and the local food bank.

    It is a feasible project addressing an issue in the student's home community. Instructors and peers support its development through workshops, and students present their plans at the end of the program.

    Students stay in Brown University residence halls, with private or shared rooms and shared bathrooms. Three meals each day are provided, primarily in campus dining halls.

    Program staff live on site and provide support and supervision around the clock. Students remain with the group during lessons and community activities and check in with residential staff at 10 p.m.

    Additional coursework is not feasible during BELL. Days include lessons, site visits, workshops, and community activities, with only one or two hours of unpredictable free time.

    Successful completion earns a digital Certificate of Completion and a Course Performance Report. This is a non-credit course and does not produce a university transcript.

    Brown considers dietary and allergy accommodations, although advance notice is important for off-campus meals. Families submit the Medical Authorization and Health History Form and BELL Dietary Support Form.

    Brown states that Pre-College is not a prospecting program for undergraduate admissions. Completing a course can demonstrate subject interest, but participation does not promise an admissions advantage.

    Alternatives to Digging Into Rhode Island's Food System

    Compare these related options if your interests extend to environmental science or the social and economic questions behind sustainability.

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    Sean Stevens

    Content reviewed by

    Sean Stevens

    Co-founder, Succeed | Founder, Immerse Education (2012–2026)

    Sean works at the intersection of academic enrichment, program quality and university preparation, with expertise in evaluating pre-university experiences for ambitious secondary school students.

    View author page

    Sources and verification

    Source types reviewed

    • Pre-College Course Catalog Brown University
    • Handbook of Pre-College Policies | Pre-College Program | Brown University
    • Brown Environmental Leadership Lab (BELL): Rhode Island | Pre-College Program | Brown University
    • Program Dates and Costs | Pre-College Program | Brown University
    • Brown Environmental Leadership Lab: Rhode Island | Pre-College Program | Brown University
    • Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) | Pre-College Program | Brown University
    • Financial Policies and Payment Information | Pre-College Program | Brown University
    • Application Fee Waivers | Pre-College Program | Brown University
    • Admissions Decisions | Pre-College Program | Brown University
    • Application Checklist | Pre-College Program | Brown University
    • Apply | Pre-College Program | Brown University
    • 2026 Program Costs: Breakdown of Fees
    • Pre-College Program | Brown University

    Succeed uses official provider information where available, but keeps this public page focused on comparison and planning inside Succeed.

    What we verified (on 9 Oct 2026)

    • Course identity checked

    • Session dates checked

    • Eligibility reviewed

    • Residential fee verified

    • Application requirements reviewed

    • Housing and meals reviewed

    • Completion recognition checked

    How Succeed uses this information

    We use source material to verify core facts, then show older cycle dates as reference when a current cycle is not available. Always check current application instructions before applying.