- Practice of Sustainable Agriculture

Institution:

The Evergreen State College

Subject:

Description:

Faculty: David Muehleisen (entomology, sustainable agriculture) Major areas of study include practical horticulture and organic farming practices. Class Standing: Juniors or seniors; transfer students welcome. Prerequisites: Faculty signature required (see below). Faculty Signature: Application and interview are required. To apply, contact Melissa Barker, Organic Farm Manager, (360) 867-6160 or barkerm@evergreen. edu or mail to The Evergreen State College, Organic Farm Manager, Lab I, Olympia, WA 98505, or contact the Academic Advising Office, (360) 867-6312. Applications received by March 5, 2008, will be given priority. Qualified students will be accepted until the program fills. This program integrates the theoretical and practical aspects of small-scale organic farming in the Pacific Northwest throughout the spring, summer and fall quarters. Each week includes eight hours of classroom instruction and twenty hours of hands-on work at Evergreen's Organic Farm. This program is designed to compliment the broader and ecological systems focus of the Ecological Agriculture program. Students will explore basic farm management, which will include seasonal crop production, nutrient management, animal husbandry, irrigation, plant breeding for seed production, weed and pest control, as well as direct and wholesale marketing. Working with state-of-the-art facilities, this program will introduce students to vermiculture, composting and biodiesel production. These topics will provide a framework and foundation for more specific concepts to be explored each season. In spring, the program will focus on soils, practical horticulture, greenhouse management, crop rotation and equipment maintenance. In summer, students will explore their personal agricultural interests through a research project. The program will also visit a wide range of diverse alternative and conventional organic farms. Summer topics will include reproductive crop biology, fruit production and food preservation, as well as outbuilding construction, with basic workshops on plumbing and electricity. In fall, we will focus on winter crop production, cover crops, entomology and plant pathology, genetics and seed saving, compost biology, food storage and farm business planning. After completing the Practice of Sustainable Agriculture program, students will have an understanding of a whole systems approach to small-scale sustainable farm management in the Pacific Northwest. Total: 16 credits. Enrollment: 25 Internship Possibilities: Agriculture related with faculty approval. Special Expenses: $100 each quarter for field trips. Program is preparatory for careers and future studies in sustainable agriculture, horticulture, farming, environmental studies and environmental education. A similar program is expected to be offered in 2008-09.

Credits:

16.00

Credit Hours:

Prerequisites:

Corequisites:

Exclusions:

Level:

Instructional Type:

Lecture

Notes:

Additional Information:

Historical Version(s):

Institution Website:

www.evergreen.edu

Phone Number:

(360) 867-6170

Regional Accreditation:

Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities

Calendar System:

Quarter

The Course Profile information is provided and updated by third parties including the respective institutions. While the institutions are able to update their information at any time, the information is not independently validated, and no party associated with this website can accept responsibility for its accuracy.