Bella Tolosi '26, Agriculture and Food Systems
Bella Tolosi ’26, from New York, is an Agriculture and Food Systems student in the College of Life Sciences and Agriculture. Bella shared her experience with the two-year Applied Animal Science program at UNH and how that led her to where she is now.
Why did you choose UNH?
I chose UNH because it offered a two-year Applied Animal Science program, which felt like the perfect fit for me. I was interested in animal science but didn’t want to stay in college for four years right away, so the two-year program stood out because of its strong hands-on focus. During those two years, I learned so much and truly loved my experience at UNH, which made me want to continue my education here. When I visited campus, I immediately knew it was a place I could call home, especially because of the downtown nearby. After completing the program, continuing at UNH felt like the natural next step, and the Agriculture and Food Systems program was once again a perfect option. The hands-on learning, supportive faculty, and strong sense of community confirmed that UNH was a place I wanted to continue calling home.
What is your major and what do you love about it?
My major is Agriculture and Food Systems, and I love it because it has expanded my understanding of how our food system truly works. I wanted to learn more about agriculture—how it serves communities, how it can improve, and how deeply it impacts our lives. This program is incredibly hands-on and community-oriented, which allows me to build strong relationships with my professors and classmates. That sense of connection has helped me grow and succeed academically. At its core, I believe understanding the food system is vital to being human as it influences our health, environment, economy, politics, and social structures—and this major has given me the tools to explore all of those dimensions.
What's the best academic experience you've had at UNH?
It’s hard to choose the best academic experience I’ve had at UNH, but my favorite was the independent study I completed for my senior capstone, Beyond the Harvest. For this project, I visited several farms around UNH and conducted interviews and business analyses to understand how producers of different scales manage their operations and marketing. What began as an exploration of farm business models evolved into a deeper investigation of the economic and social viability of small farms.
Through conversations with farmers, students, and Extension agents, I saw firsthand how small producers often struggle to sustain themselves despite the essential role they play in building healthy, resilient communities. This experience shifted my focus from analysis to action and inspired me to think about how I could better support small farmers. As a result, I am now dedicated to figuring out a program that connects students and local farmers to strengthen the food system around campus, enhancing student learning while increasing support for producers. This academic experience allowed me to fully explore my passion for agriculture and gave me the opportunity to work toward making a meaningful difference.
What's the best experience you've had at UNH outside the classroom/lab?
The best experience I’ve had at UNH outside of the classroom or lab has been working at the UNH Macfarlane Research Greenhouse. This opportunity has allowed me to grow my skills and knowledge in horticulture while also being introduced to the ways researchers are working to improve plant viability and resilience. Being part of this environment has given me hands-on experience and a deeper appreciation for how research directly supports innovation in agriculture.
Where have you found a sense of community at UNH?
I competitively danced for 11 years. Wanting to continue that passion in college, I earned my group fitness certification through the American Council on Exercise and now will be teaching classes at the Hamel Recreation Center at UNH. I will teach dance cardio and core classes, and I also created a class inspired by my dance background called Strength in Motion, which blends flexibility, strength, and creativity.
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