The Practice of Sustainable Agriculture
Fall, Winter and Spring quarters
Faculty: Steven Scheuerell ecology, botany, plant pathology
Fields of Study: agriculture, botany, ecology, environmental studies and sustainability studies
Fall: CRN (Credit) Level 10117 (16) Fr; 10119 (16) So - Sr; 10603 (14)
Winter: Enrollment Accepting New Students CRN (Credit) Level 20081 (16) Fr; 20082 (16) So - Sr; 20592 (1-16) Signature Required Admittance will be based upon available space and evidence of prior student learning and experience. Students should expect to complete significant catch-up reading and assignments prior the start of winter quarter.
Spring: Enrollment Closed CRN (Credit) Level 30098 (16) Fr; 30099 (16) So - Sr; 30488 (1-16) Conditions Interested students should consider joining The Practice of Sustainable Agriculture: Spring.
Credits: 16(F); 16(W); 16(S)
Class Standing: Freshmen - Senior; 25% of the seats are reserved for freshmenFreshmen - Senior
Offered During: Day
Description
The Practice of Sustainable Agriculture (PSA) program integrates theoretical and practical aspects of small-scale organic farming in the Pacific Northwest during the fall, winter and spring quarters. This program requires serious commitment from students—we start at 8 AM Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, and all students start farm chores at 7 AM one day per week. Each week of the program there will be eight hours of classroom instruction and twenty hours of practicum work at Evergreen's Organic Farm.
The program's academic classroom portion will cover a variety of topics related to practical farm management, including annual and perennial plant propagation, entomology and pest management, plant pathology and disease management, weed biology and management, soil quality and soil management, crop botany, animal husbandry/physiology, polycultures, integration of crops and livestock, orchard management, appropriate technology, weather forecasting, and climatology. As part of their training, students will be required to develop and write farm management and business plans. On a weekly basis, students can expect to complete seminar readings and reflective writings, work through assigned textbooks, and write technical reports to demonstrate an integration of theoretical concepts and practice gained through the farm practicum.
The academic practicum on Evergreen's organic farm will include hands-on instruction on a range of farm-related topics including greenhouse management and season extension techniques, farm-scale composting and vermiculture, seed saving, irrigation systems, mushroom cultivation, farm recordkeeping, tool use and care, farm equipment operation and maintenance, and techniques for adding value to farm and garden products. Students will also have the opportunity to explore their personal interests related to agriculture, homesteading, and developing communal farms/ecovillages through research projects. Each quarter we will visit farms that represent the ecological, social and economic diversity of agriculture in the Pacific Northwest. Students will also attend and participate in key sustainable and organic farming conferences within the region.
After completing this program, students will have an understanding of a holistic approach to managing a small-scale sustainable farm operation in the Pacific Northwest.
Maximum Enrollment: 24
Required Fees: Fall $302/Winter $20/Spring $302 for overnight field trips, conference costs and farm supplies.
May be offered again in: 2011-12
Preparatory for studies or careers in: agriculture, farm and garden management, and applied horticulture.
Campus Location: Olympia
Online Learning: Enhanced Online Learning
Books: www.tescbookstore.com
Program Revisions
| Date | Revision |
|---|---|
| February 18th, 2011 | This program will not accept new enrollment in Spring. Interested students should refer to the new program The Practice of Sustainable Agriculture: Spring. |
| November 29th, 2010 | Winter fees updated. |