syllabus fall farm 1st semester

Rainshadow CCHS – Fall 2010 ID Organic Agricultur e Syllabus Joe Ferguson - [email protected] * www.joerainshadow.weebly.com Course Description: This interdisciplinary course on organic gardening at the Rainshadow Farm will give students one semester of the art and science of organic agriculture and local food production in Reno, the Truckee Meadows, Nevada, the West, and beyond. We will be learning how to begin and maintain a garden , prepare land for cultivation, about soil nutrients, composting, worms, plant biology, local food security, nutrition and personal health, and sustainable agriculture with an emphasis on p articipation in community gardens & a gricultural projects. We will continue to develop projects for further hands-on inquiry including (but not limited to) winter greenhouse / hoophouse work, seed banking, growing herbs, worm farming, entrepreneurial ventures, art projects, spring season planting , etc. We will also begin to make plans to build a greenhouse on the roof of our new school building . We will work closely with community groups such as The River School & Interpreti ve Gardens, Reno Food Not Bombs, The Great Basin Community Food Coop, R.E.A.L. (Responsibility, Earth, Art, Learning), local community gardens and food markets . Course Aims and Objectives for this Semester: Upon completion of this semester unit, students will; - Demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of the importance of educational, local, organic, community based agricultural projects in Reno. - Begin to plan and act on agricultural, entrepreneurial, and other associated projects utilizing the resources available on the Rainshadow Farm. - Explore the link between sustainable food production, nutrition, health, and the greater environment. Requirements: - participation in classroom, farm, and field activities every day. - record of notes, journal entries and other writings - completed portfolio of assignments (see requirements below) - projects and presentations that demonstrate your farming knowledge Week / Dates Tuesday Thursday 1) Aug.31, Sept.2 Course syllabus, rules and expectation s for this class. What do we already know about growing? Intro to the Rainshadow Farm-a picture slideshow. See the school grounds. What are Nevada plants? Field trip to an urban garden. Farm resources, crop plant identification. Harvest food, collect s eeds. 2) Sept. 7, 9 What is organic agriculture and why is it important? Farming methods. Field trip to and tour of another urban backyard farm. The farm as an ecosystem full of biodiversity. Growing with nature instead of against it. Planning our landscape. 3) Sept. 14, 16 Field trip to a community garden. The benefits of having gardens at schools. How can we collaborate here? Helping at the Libby Booth Community Garden. Harvesting food. Hoophouse supplies. More. 4) Sept. 21, 23 Photosynthesis video and lesson. Seeing photosynthesis in action. Every plant for itself activity, plant competition. No School: Professional Development 5) Sept. 28, 30 Field trip to The River School. Intro to permacult ure & sustainable living. More ideas for urban gardens. Intro to plant biology and ecology. Plant structures: roots and stems. Field trip to another local community garden. 6) Oct. 5, 7 Community garden work TBA. Plant structures: leaves & flowers. Begin native Nevada plant project. Community garden work TBA. Plant structures: fruits and seeds. Plant types: annuals, perennials, monocots, dicots, etc.

syllabus fall farm 1st semester

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