Agr, Lndscp & Envir: Diversified Farm Planning

Students study diverse farming systems to gain financial, management, and technical knowledge to plan a new or evaluate and existing farm enterprise. Prerequisites: ALE 1210 and one 2000-level ALE course, equivalent experience, or Instructor permission.

Prerequisite enforced by the system: ALE/PSS 1210; Also Acceptable: one 2000-level ALE/PSS course, or equivalent experience, or instructor permission Open to Degree and PACE students

http://www.uvm.edu/~tbradsha/Teaching/PSS208Syllabus.pdf

Note: Course activities may change from this proposed posting. Farmers are increasingly required to be managers of complex biological, environmental, and social systems in order to best compete in their efforts to make a living from the production of food and fiber. The challenge for new farmers starting a new farming business is to identify what they don’t know and be able to critically plan a complex farming system that will be financially viable. This course will include lectures covering a range of topics including and introduction to diverse farming systems practiced in Vermont, farm policy, production functions, marketing, and quality of life planning. Students will be required to complete a final semester project in the form of (A) a farm plan or (B) an in-depth review of an existing farm business. This course is appropriate for students who will own or manage a farm in the future, who intend to work with farmers through research or outreach, or who are interested in farm production systems and the needs of them to be successful. This standalone course is the first in the PSS Diversified Farm series which also includes PSS 209: Diversified Farm Operation.

1. Students will develop an understanding of the regulatory, ecological, economic and social drivers of farm success in Vermont. 2. Students will engage critically with class material and make connections with how these drivers shape farm systems and inform on-farm decision making. 3. Students will apply their knowledge and develop a farm plan which can be used for many potential purposes including monitoring and evaluation, applications for financing, etc. Alternatively, students will apply their knowledge to a review of an existing farm business, coupled with reflection about how this review does or does not inform their career choice.

Homework: Descriptions of assignments will be posted on blackboard and described in lecture. A total of ten assignments will be given over the course of the semester. Assignments will be designed to be built into or to inform your final project. 35% Peer Review Essay: Students will be asked to give thoughtful, critical feedback to their classmates in order to help their peers solidify farm plan concepts and content. A detailed description of the essay assignment and rubric will be given to students in the beginning of the course. 15% Final Project: A detailed description of the assignment and rubric will be given to students in the beginning of the course. Students cannot receive credit for this assignment without turning in both the draft and final versions. 25% Final Project Presentation: A short (15 minute) final presentation will be required. A detailed description of the presentation format and rubric will be given to students in the beginning of the course. 15% Attendance & Professionalism: Students are expected to attend all classes, be engaged in class discussion, participate in activities, and act in a professional manner. 10%