Practicum in Organic Agriculture
(Soils 480)
Summer Session Course
This course is offered during the summer for up to twelve weeks. Any combination of Summer Blocks A, B, and/or C can be taken for 1 to 6 credits. 6 credits will be awarded for 12-week enrollment that includes 20 hours/week of work. The class meets at the 3-acre certified organic farm at the Tukey Orchard 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. On-site lectures and instructional materials will cover market development as well as the science behind practices. A detailed introduction will also be provided to social and environmental issues in agriculture. Students will also participate in demonstrations, skills-building exercises, group projects, weekly discussions, and visits to several local organic farms and market gardens. 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 upper-level students who have some basic gardening or farming knowledge. Practicing professionals and community members are encouraged to take this course for continuing education units, adding to student diversity.
The prerequisite is “permission by application and interview” to ensure that the student understands the academic and physical demands of the course and that they have attained a sufficient level of experience before taking the course.
For more information
Brad Jaeckel
jaeckel@wsu.edu
Undergraduate
BS in Agricultural and Food Systems
Major in Organic Agriculture Systems Curriculum