Agr, Lndscp & Envir: Sust Veg Crops Production

Introduces students to current practices in organic and conventional vegetable cropping systems and farm management. Prerequisite: ALE 1100, ALE 1210, or Instructor permission.

Prerequisites enforced by the system: ALE/PSS 1100 or 1210 Open to Degree and PACE Students

https://catalogue.uvm.edu/undergraduate/courses/courselist/ale/

The course will introduce students to vegetable cropping systems with an emphasis on crop families, soil fertility management, pest and disease management, crop planning, crop rotation, on-farm conservation, and tillage systems. The course will predominantly concentrate on organic modes of production and will also touch on conventional and “beyond organic” practices. The course will use a combination of lectures, class exercises, readings, assignments, field trips and some hands-on work at UVM’s Catamount Farm to explore the above topics.

1. Understand the basic elements of annual vegetable production including soil fertility management, pest and disease management, crop families and crop rotation, with particular emphasis on organic production. 2. Develop farm management skills, such as crop planning and soil fertility management, that can be applied to real farm situations. 3. Build student awareness around agricultural issues in Vermont through an agroecological perspective and through farmers’ viewpoints. 4. Reflect upon experiences to better integrate and communicate new skills and knowledge.

Attendance and Class Participation 16%, Crop Family Group Presentation 12%, Crop Growing Guide Assignment 12%, Crop Rotation Assignment 12%, Crop Plan Assignment 12%, Soil Test Assignment 12%, Reflections 12%, Quizzes 12%