Course Description
This course, located entirely on an operating farm, will offer intensive practical experience in organic agriculture based on principles learned in Organic Agriculture: Ecological Agriculture and the Ethics of Sustainability. Students will form teams to develop and cultivate vegetable plots and to experience other aspects of sustainable agriculture, including fruit production and rotational grazing.
Athena Title
ORG AGR PRACTICUM
Prerequisite
ECOL 3700 and permission of department
Semester Course Offered
Offered summer semester every year.
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Course Objectives
a. To review the principles of organic agriculture that were presented in Organic Agriculture: Ecological Agriculture and the Ethics of Sustainability. b. To gain practical experience in planning and managing an organic farm/garden. Specifically, the students will learn the techniques listed below under "Topical Outline."
Topical Outline
a) Tilling the soil b) Testing the soil c) Nutrient management/Composting and manuring d) Planning a crop rotation e) Seeding/Transplanting f) Irrigation g) Identifying and controlling weeds h) Identifying and controlling insect pests i) Identifying and preventing plant disease j) Harvesting k) Cover cropping l) Agroforestry m) Intensive pasture management n) Silvopastoral systems o) Managing perennial fruit crops