Teaching Organic Farming Gardening
Part two, Applied Soil Science, covers basic information on soil chemistry, soil physical properties, and soil biology and ecology, providing a more detailed overview of the underlying scientific principles that inform many of the organic farming practices covered in part one.
Teaching Organic Farming Gardening
Drawing on nearly 50 years of teaching organic farming and gardening, the staff of the University of California, Santa Cruz Farm & Garden Apprenticeship and invited authors have developed an updated and expanded resource for instructors based on many of the skills and concepts taught in UCSC\u2019s annual Apprenticeship in Ecological Horticulture program. Teaching Organic Farming & Gardening: Resources for Instructors, 3rd Edition addresses practical aspects of organic farming and gardening, applied soil science, and social and environmental issues in agriculture.
The 700-page manual was produced by UCSC\u2019s Center for Agroecology & Sustainable Food System and is designed for a wide audience of those involved in teaching farming and gardening skills and sustainable agriculture concepts, including colleges and universities with sustainable agriculture programs, student farms or gardens, and on-farm education programs; urban agriculture, community garden, and farm training programs; farms with internships or apprenticeships; agriculture extension stations; school gardening programs; organizations such as the Peace Corps, US AID, and other groups that provide international training in food growing and ecological growing methods; and master gardener programs.
\n On the UCSC campus the Center manages the 25-acre UCSC Farm and the 2-acre Alan Chadwick Garden as sites for teaching, training, and research in organic horticulture and agricutlure. Both sites are open to the public daily.\n
2 Credits. Online or hybrid. This course is designed for students interested in organic farming and gardening, considering the perspective of both agriculutural professionals and home gardeners. The course covers subjects such as the planning and design of an organic garden, crop and seed selection, specialty crops, soil building and fertility, composting, history of organic farming, seed starting, plant growth measurements, data collection, pest managagment, natural landscapes and rain gardens.
This guide is an introduction to organic vs. conventional farming. PowerPoints and visuals are meant to reinforce learning as you facilitate discussion and activities. While this is written as one two-hour session, slides and activities can be used independently to suit programmatic needs. This teaching resource was developed by New Roots for Refugees, Catholic Charities of NE Kansas in partnership with the Institute for Social and Economic Development (ISED Solutions). Refugee farmer training programs across the country provided feedback on this lesson, which is now integrated throughout the guide.
Emma Hendel discusses her five years as a microgreens farmer and co-owner of Fair Share Farms, LLC in Pfafftown, North Carolina. Ms. Hendel describes why and how she and her husband Elliot Seldner came to North Carolina and started their farm. She explains what microgreens are and why she and Mr. Seldner decided to grow them. Other topics include organic farming methods, Organic Certified vs. Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) Certified, urban sprawl, distribution partners, environmental issues, and social media.
>> Laura Burgess: Yeah, grinding, that was literally my next question in terms of, do you have to go by the USDA organic status? You also, that was great. So you say that you think, do you think that being, going organic is the future of farming, or is it the-
And we're able to see some good results with that and decrease the amount we were working and increase the amount of money we were making, and make life a little bit better. And so, I think it just kinda goes to show that there are ways to keep doing the local food and the sustainable organic farming thing without totally just martyring yourself to what a farm can do to you and your family.
>> T. McLeod: I got my start because I had been an organic farmer and grower for a number of years and I always had trouble finding the things that I needed to use in my own farming endeavors. So I thought if I was having problems probably everybody else was having problems.
So I decided to start a business specializing in organic supplies for gardening, landscaping. Also included organic live stock grains for chickens and goats and rabbits and all when I started the business. I had a vision, knowing a little bit about human health, that the business would eventually transcend into human health and personal care products.
Reflecting back on the conference, it is easy to what a true testament it is to how inspiring our community is. To be able to have conversations with one another about food justice, different practices, how we fit into the grand scheme of gardening and farming, and how we are moving forward is truly a gift. The NOFA conference is the perfect way to get out of the winter mindset and to get excited about and ready for Spring! 041b061a72