Organic Agriculture Classes
Soil Science 478: Advanced Organic Farming and Gardening
Offered Spring semester Face-to-Face and On-line: 2 Credits
The goal of Soil Science 478 Advanced Organic Farming and Gardening is to provide you with an in-depth understanding of how to practice organic agriculture and operate a community supported agriculture (CSA) farm. We will cover detailed practical information on sourcing and starting from organic seed, certification, CSA planning, organic soil fertility, and important management options including irrigation and hoophouse operation. An emphasis will be placed on record keeping and farm planning. We will also aim to foster critical thinking, media use, and communication skills.
In order to turn a practical hands-on subject like organic farming and gardening into an effective distance class we will use a number of different approaches to learning. Pullman based students as well as on-line students will both participate equally with the required on-line content. This will include class discussion posts, videos of lectures and farm operations, class assignments, and recorded guest visits.
This course is also the prerequisite for Soil Science 479 and 480.
Soil Science 479: Organic Farm and Garden Management
Offered Summer Session Face-to-Face; Offered Fall semester On-line: 2 Credits
The goal of Soil Science 479 Organic Farm and Garden Field Management is to provide you with an in-depth understanding of how to manage production on a certified organic farm. We will cover detailed practical information on planting, field management, harvest, equipment usage, and post-harvest management of a wide variety of vegetable, fruit, and grain crops. We will also aim to foster critical thinking, media use, and communication skills.
In order to turn a practical hands-on subject like organic farming and gardening into an effective distance class we will use a number of different approaches to learning. Pullman based students as well as on-line students will both participate equally with the required on-line content. This will include class discussion posts, videos of lectures and farm operations, class assignments, and recorded guest visits.
Soil Science 480: Practicum in Organic Agriculture
Offered Spring, Summer, and Fall Term: Variable Credit
The class meets at the Eggert Family Organic Farm on the WSU campus in Pullman. The course will correspond to the local growing season and training will include practical experience and academic training with 20-30 vegetables, flowers, fruits, and culinary herbs.
This course is an experiential learning opportunity in practical organic agriculture and horticultural skills and concepts. Students will be immersed in the successful operation of the WSU Organic Farm and will gain hands-on training in production, marketing, and certification. Students will produce certified organic vegetables, fruit, herbs, and flowers that they will distribute through local food banks, on-campus food service, a 100-member CSA (community supported agriculture), and a local farmers’ market.
Appropriate for any student who has some basic gardening or farming knowledge. Each credit requires 45 hours of participation at the farm.
The prerequisite is “permission by instructor”.
For more information
Brad Jaeckel
jaeckel@wsu.edu
Undergraduate
- BS in Agricultural and Food Systems
- Major in Organic and Sustainable Agriculture
- Agriculture Science Majors
Graduate
Organic Agriculture Graduate Student Research Projects