In this hands-on class students will learn about permaculture basics while maintaining our on-campus permaculture demonstration gardens.

Methods of diagnosing plant diseases caused by fungi, bacteria, viruses, nematodes, and abiotic agents considered using specimens collected by students. Prerequisite: PLNTSOIL 505

Students will learn organic insect, disease, and weed control, greenhouse production and construction, irrigation practices, planting and fertility, harvesting and marketing techniques, as well as how to manage money, people and natural resources.

Permaculture mimics ecological systems to design gardens, farms and homesteads which have the resilience and benefits of natural systems. Human designed systems however cannot function without social systems such as decision making, communications, organizational structure, and policy. This course will use case studies, guest speakers and in class exercises to explore how to apply permaculture ethics and principles to a variety of social systems. Students will engage with methods and strategies that build capacity and resilience while leading to long term systemic change.

Satisfies the Junior Year Writing requirement for SUSFD majors. Practice and improve writing while clarifying career goals and improving professional communication skills.

This journal club is open to both graduate students and advanced undergraduate students who have an interest in reviewing the current scientific literature in the field of plant biotechnology.

This class will explore grape origins, domestication, and fundamental principles of grape growing, both domestically and globally. It will include practices specific to the winter such, as pruning.

In this course students will formulate a complete production plan for a 20 acre organic vegetable farm through the comprehension of introduced topics and activity. Topics covered in detail include small farm business development, production planning for established markets, compliance with farm certifications for organic production and food safety regulations, soil health and fertility and, methods for plant production and crop maintenance.

Interrelationship of soils and higher plants. Physical, chemical, and biological properties of soils. Practical approach to current problems through basic soil principles. Prerequisite: some knowledge of chemistry. (Gen.Ed. BS)

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.