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In 2085, universities in Toronto remained largely familiar, with lecture halls, research labs, and student centers, but subtle shifts reflect the times. With the Agricultural Act prioritizing food education, science courses now integrate agronomy and urban farming into their curriculums. Botany labs include hands-on lessons in hydroponics, while chemistry classes analyze soil composition. Rooftop gardens are standard features, blending practicality with sustainability.

Although traditional degree programs like engineering, medicine, and business remain popular, there’s a growing emphasis on fields connected to agriculture and self-reliance. Environmental science courses increasingly explore sustainable farming methods, while economics programs analyze the impacts of food inflation and monopolization. Even humanities departments engage with the Agricultural Movement, offering courses on the cultural and historical impacts of food scarcity.

Despite these changes, the university environment feels familiar. Students still gather in libraries, and have to write exams. But they’re also increasingly aware of how their education connects to broader societal challenges. Food-related student initiatives, like campus farmers’ markets and co-op gardening projects, have become as common as intramural sports or debate clubs. As a result of this increased exposure to farming, more students are interested in exploring farming as a career after university.

Financially, universities prioritize funding for agricultural research and sustainability projects, but this focus hasn’t upended the balance of education. Programs unrelated to agriculture continue to thrive, and career aspirations remain mostly diverse. The difference is a heightened awareness among students: learning how to grow food isn’t just a niche interest—it’s a useful life skill.

For most, these changes feel practical rather than revolutionary. Growing a plant in a science class or volunteering in the campus garden may not seem transformative, but in a world where grocery prices are so extreme, these small shifts ensure that the next generation is better equipped to navigate an uncertain future.