This class will help to develop the skills and understanding of how to maintain a healthy lifestyle while being a successful farmer or gardener. Students will learn basic anatomy for safe and sustainable manual labor and practice applying safe body mechanics to typical farming labor tasks.

This course is a farmer's perspective on the sustainable management of cows, sheep and goats on a small farm. It provides students with a clear understanding of how to think through the planning and management of cows, sheep and goats for meat production. All aspects from breeding to marketing will be addressed. Students will gain a rudimentary plan on how to incorporate ruminants into their small farm plan.

The ecology of plant, microbe, and human interactions in plant diseases, from wilderness to industrial farms. Epidemics, traditional farming, environmental impacts and sustainability issues. Ways in which agriculture, particularly plant production and plant disease management, change ecosystems. Independent project.

Introduction to the indoor culture of tropical plants and other species. Artificial lighting, acclimatization, moisture requirements, soils and nutrition, and diagnosing plant problems. Information applicable to professional indoor plant maintenance, retail marketing, and growing plants in the home.

Advanced methodology and psychology of training horses.

Participants will work under the direction of USDA Farm Service Agency personnel, providing assistance to the farm loan process, participating in government assistance programs, and working with USDA FSA outreach.

Tropical regions of the world, their environment and classification; influence of climate, population, and socio-economic conditions on agriculture; major crops and cropping systems of sub-humid tropics; introduction to dry land agriculture; importance of rainfall and irrigation on productivity; green revolution; desertification; present and future research needs of region, and state of agricultural technology.

Students will learn about innovative production methods and critical social, economic, and environmental dimensions of modern day urban agriculture. Scholarly articles and videos, a custom library research guide, and significant research support from the instructor provide a strong foundation for students to investigate important topics and evaluate the performance of real life urban farm systems. The course will consist of lectures, readings, videos, and research assignments in which students critically assess major strengths, weaknesses and issues of 21st century urban farm systems.

This course includes in-class lectures, field trips, design studio and a hands-on field component, to offer students a deepened and applied practice in permaculture design process and techniques. The course culminates with students developing a permaculture design and community engagement process.

Introduction to riding theory and the training scale for basic and advanced training of horse and rider in various disciplines.