This pod will focus on planning a farm through a permacultural lense integrated with business planning and marketing. Even though this class is focused on planning a production oriented farm many of the lessons learned can also be adopted to a homestead. Students will engage in a larger design project on the Sterling land as a full class. The skills learned from this project will be transferred to the students own plan. Students that complete this course with a B or above will also be granted and Permaculture Design Certificate. This class will have a large field component, but will also challenge students to develop basic mapping skills.
Enrollment Requirements and Options:
Courses are integrated co-requisites with simultaneous enrollment required. Students in this pod can enroll in online courses, Senior Year Research Project, or Independent Study work. Students may TA these courses with instructor permission.
This pod includes the following courses:
Permaculture 4 cr
Permaculture is the study and practice of the way human beings- as individuals and societies- can participate in the creation of ethical and ecological support systems. We present a whole systems design approach that integrates plants, animals, buildings, people, communities, and the landscapes that surround us. The course is designed to introduce students to the principles and practice of permaculture design through collaboration on real-world projects with an eye towards repairing, restoring and regenerating human ecosystems.
Whole Farm Planning 3 cr
This course will expose students to the complexity of whole farm planning by combining business planning and management with policy and ecology in development of farm models that support health of the land and business owners. Students will be expected to draw heavily on the technical and theoretical expertise they have accumulated through course work, internships and farm work experience. A major portion of the course will require completion of a whole farm plan and a project conducted in partnership with an existing farm or agriculturally based business.
