Harris Kaye
Currently pursuing a Masters of Science in Food and Agribusiness, SUNY Morrisville Class of 2026
Harris’ Purchase experience in his own words:
When I first started at Purchase I had a hard time picking a major. I had plenty of interest and passions but when it came to picking a focus to dedicate my academic time towards I found myself feeling lost. That all changed when I took Prof. Lorraine Plourde’s Intro to Social and Cultural Anthropology course. The course truly opened my eyes to a way of analyzing and understanding people and culture in a way that I had not experienced before. Furthermore it gave me a glimpse into the tools and skills a degree in Anthropology could provide me with in further understanding myself and the culture I’m part of. Each subsequent Anthro course I took had me exercising and accessing different parts of my analytical brain that I didn’t know I had access to. As the credits accumulated, and with the added encouragement of Prof. Plourde, I decided to pursue a major in Anthropology.
The framework my degree provided me with in viewing and critically analyzing my surroundings ultimately led me to seriously questioning the sources of my food. After learning more about the food system, and the inhumane ways so much of the food we consume is produced, I decided that the most meaningful way I could begin to address these issues was to become directly involved in food production. Post-graduation this took the shape of a decade-long farming career on organic farms throughout the Hudson Valley. Recently this has also brought to the forefront of my efforts the controversies surrounding food labeling and working towards further understanding and addressing the challenges the current state of labeling has created for both consumers and farmers. Throughout this journey my Anthropology degree continues to inform how I see and understand the complexities of the food system, including how different cultures relate to and understand the food they eat. I’m confident that without my degree I wouldn’t have been equipped with the skills that have resulted in a deeper understanding of this field which has led to increased job opportunities. Studying Anthropology further reinforced for me that there is always so much more than meets the eye. Currently I am working towards a Masters of Science in Food & Agribusiness through SUNY Morrisville. No matter what field a person might be interested in pursuing, I strongly believe that an Anthropology degree will only enhance their journey and better equip them to achieve their personal and professional goals.