Brooks serves as an adjunct professor at Rhodes College in Memphis, Tennessee. He teaches a class called "Agriculture, Society, and the Environment." Using a variety of readings, films, and other sources, along with grounded learning strategies, like field trips and agrarian activities, and intentional assignments, Brooks helps his students think through complex rural, environmental, and agricultural issues. He helps them understand what American farming has been and is -- and what it can be if we prioritize affection, place, justice, and care.
Fifteen out of fifteen students rated Brooks as an "Excellent" professor, the highest possible ranking. Fifteen out of fifteen students also ranked the course itself as "Excellent."
Want to hear about Brooks's teaching? See anonymous feedback from students below.
"Professor Lamb is an excellent teacher and mentor."
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"I was conflicted when I decided to take this course, I didn't know if I would like it, honestly. Midway through the semester, my perspective changed completely, and that was mainly because of Brooks Lamb. He conducted this class in such a graceful and thoughtful manner the entire semester that I wanted to do well to show him that his teaching methods were working. He is a first-year professor, and he carried himself like he was tenured. He was funny, casual, youthful, helpful, and caring, and he showed a genuine and ongoing connection with the entire course. I will be looking for classes in the future that he teaches. Truly an amazing professor and phenomenal man."
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"Professor Lamb is one of the best professors I have taken at Rhodes College, and I feel I can say this being a senior this year. You can tell that he cares immensely about the subject material. He asks every single student how their day has been, what projects they've been pursuing, etc. when they walk through the door, and he knows everyone on a personal level and really makes an effort to connect with us. He has brought in exceptional guest speakers, and even they have shown their love for Professor Lamb and the work he does for agriculture and small farmers nationwide. When he grades our small assignments, he puts so much effort into giving us feedback about every single sentence, and he really intently reads our work. I honestly had no idea that this course would be the one that challenges me as a writer, but it has, and I am really grateful for that. I really hope this course can be taught again and I honestly couldn't imagine it with any other professor."
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"I do not think I have had a professor as engaged, knowledgable, receptive, and passionate as Professor Lamb. Each day he is fully prepared for class, informing us how the class period will function. Class was expertly organized and led to maintain engagement. Every expectation for in class participation and assignments was clearly laid out and left no room for confusion. He was enthusiastic in meeting us outside of class whenever needed or wanted. This course was extremely well-crafted with each unit not only leading well into each other but also often calling back to each other. He has used a plethora of voices in this course and brought so many influential and valuable speakers to class that supplemented the material quite well. Not only is he eloquently spoken, he is a keen listener. I have no complaints toward this class or about Professor Lamb. This class must be included in future semesters."
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"I really enjoyed this course. It helped me attain a much more refined view of the agricultural issues affecting our country and my home. This was a fantastic course taught by a fantastic professor who motivates his students and encourages them to grow."
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"Professor Lamb is an outstanding professor and has thoroughly and thoughtfully orchestrated the Agriculture, Environment, and Society course. We have been exposed to writings and ideas from people not often considered in academia -- small farmers. Through this course, I have gained a greater appreciation for farming and the intersections between agriculture and the environment. I enjoyed thinking of something practical -- farming for food -- in a philosophical lens... a lens of virtue, morality, and most importantly, love."
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This class was a great overview of the history and current state of American agriculture. Coming in, I had no knowledge of environmental studies, but I came to really enjoy our weekly discussions based on stimulating and at times challenging readings, and I have gained a newfound appreciation for the land, farmers, and how we get our food. This class was excellent."
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"Professor Lamb is an EXCEPTIONAL professor! All readings were engaged with thoroughly, and Prof. Lamb did a good job of ensuring we were consistently connected to what is going on in the world regarding agriculture right now. This was so beneficial in grounding our readings and also keeping us aware of some of the positives going on in the world when the readings could be depressing (rightfully so, of course). I absolutely loved the speakers we had in class. They provided amazing insight into the world of food and agriculture. The field trip to Home Place Pastures was equally spectacular! Seeing a direct application of our readings and in class discussion to IRL operations so close to home really nailed in the lessons from the class. Speaking of lessons, was so good to learn about virtues in agriculture that can be applied to all aspects of life. Affection, fidelity, love for the land and community, are all virtues that should, somehow, relate to any career from agriculture to tech. Great class. Brooks Lamb deserves the highest of praise!"
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"One of my favorite classes I've taken, if not my favorite. Thank you."
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"Prof. Lamb has taught one of the most impactful and meaningful classes I've ever taken. He has brought so many ideas and perspectives together and helps students make the connections. It is so clear that the syllabus is EXTREMELY well thought out and a lot of care, attention, and imagination has been poured into this class. He has created a community out of a classroom in a way that is completely unique to other courses I've taken. The feedback he provides on assignments is well thought out and constructive in a way that has genuinely helped me improve my writing. The readings for class, while long, are meaningful and enjoyable, and class sessions are well planned and thoughtful. The ideas taught in this course are applicable beyond simply the environmental field, and I think everyone should take this course. I wish Prof Lamb was teaching a class next semester. It is so clear that he cares about his students success."
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"This has been the most meaningful course I have taken. Not only did we deeply engage with readings, connect recurring themes throughout the semester, and get to hands-on participate the material, we also connected personally. We got to hear stories from his life and got to share things from our own life. I recommend this course to anyone and everyone."
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"I absolutely loved the layout of every class... I also feel compelled to say that I probably thought more deeply in this course than I have in any other. I was actually moved to tears by some readings. The course has had so much influence in my life and resonated with me to such a degree that I cited it at a symposium presentation and in my application essay for grad schools. Having come into this class hardly ever thinking about agriculture, I now leave with it as a topic in my mind almost everyday. I really just want to use this space to give a genuine thank you for this class and the hard work Professor Lamb clearly put into it. Every assignment had a clear purpose, and I really appreciate the feedback he gave on all the writing assignments, which has been some of the best I have received at Rhodes. ... I just want to reiterate how great this course has been. I can truthfully say that it has been one of my favorite classes and that it has been so rewarding."
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