Course focuses on the principles of sustainable agriculture for animal, crop, and garden production. Students will learn to make a farm, homestead, or garden a reality or to make current agricultural endeavors more sustainable, efficient, and profitable. Students will learn sustainable theory and be able to apply this to the nuts and bolts of market gardens, food forests, livestock management, and small farm operations. This class may include students from multiple sections. (Formerly GRBD 150)
Course Outcomes
- Define terminology and concepts related to sustainable farming practices.
- Describe the ecological, economical, and social implications of agricultural practices.
- Identify theories and forms of sustainable agriculture.
- Articulate principles and strategies of sustainable agriculture.
- Utilize a systems approach to analyze agriculture in your own backyard and/or community.
- Apply best practices for basic soil, crop, watershed, & livestock management.
- Identify resources for solving problems facing farmers, ranchers, gardeners, and consumers in order to reduce waste and energy consumption in agriculture.
- Describe strategies to increase profit and efficiency for sustainable producers.
- Design productive and ecologically sound land use plans.
- Expand consumer awareness and support of ethical alternatives.