Animal Husbandry

Course held at: Merry Lea Environmental Learning Center of Goshen College

Professor: Ruth Mischler, MS Agronomy (Faculty Profile)

Office: Oshtemo

Phone: 260-799-5869 ext. 118 (office) 303-818-5718 (cell)

Email: ramischler@goshen.edu

Office Hours: immediately before/after class or by appointment.

This course builds student understanding and experience with animals in agricultural systems from the ground up. Students work extensively with Merry Lea’s livestock to become familiar with the life habits and unique niche of each animal. Basic veterinarian care, forage, and feed rations will also be covered. Students then extend their knowledge to the full farm system. Field trips to pastured and confined animal operations round out the course as students ruminate on the role of animals in sustainable and resilient agricultural systems. As part of this course students will also complete an animal research project caring for chickens through their entire life cycle from chick to dinner plate. Students will connect to other courses through investigations of manure (nutrient cycling), farm biodiversity, pollination, integrated pest management, soil microbiology and the ethical implications of raising animals for consumption.

Catalog Description:

SUST 210: ANIMAL HUSBANDRY

This course is part of the Agroecology Summer Intensive Semester at Merry Lea delivered within the context of a learning community at Rieth Village. Students practice skills and learn theory through guided hands-on daily care of livestock on Goshen College’s ecological farm at Merry Lea as well as through interactions with diverse professionals and field locations throughout our region. Emphasis is on the integration of animals and cropping systems towards the goal of a regenerative agriculture. Students consider their role in promoting sustainable and ethical animal agriculture for themselves, with their communities, and across society.

Credit Hours: 3

Upon completion of this course you the student will be able to:

1. Apply on-farm practical knowledge and skills in daily, routine care of the following animal groups: cattle, milk goats, goat kids, laying hens, meat chickens, and pigs.

   • Assessment: Weekly chore-check

2. Develop a personal philosophy on eating animals and raising animals for consumption based on personal morals, ethics, and spiritual beliefs.

   • Assessment: Reflection Journal entry

3. Integrate practical knowledge of livestock to a wide range of farm contexts.

   • Assessment: Exam

4. Design and construct on-farm research to compare and select animal breeds for a specific niche.

   • Assessment: Poultry Project

5. Create an extension- type document to communicate research findings to a broad audience.

   • Assessment: Poultry Project

This course is intentionally taught from an experiential and field-based perspective to welcome learners from multiple disciplines from multiple institutions. While no specific content knowledge is expected prior to this course, any coursework in biology, ecology, or personal care of animals is useful.

All readings will be posted on the course schedule. These will come from textbooks, popular books, research papers, extension documents, non-profits, and governmental agencies.

A = 94 to 100 | A- = 90 to 93 | B+ = 87 to 89 | B = 84 to 86 | B- = 80 to 83 | C+ = 77 to 79 | C = 74 to 76 | C- = 69 to 73 | D = 60 to 68 | F < 60

• Grade Disputes: While I strive to be fair to all students, grade disputes may occur. If you feel that you have been graded unjustly, please speak to me first. I am happy to work with all students to make sure their competency is reflected in their grade.

• Late or Missing Work: No unexcused late work is accepted. Please turn work in when it is due or don’t turn it in at all. Accommodations will be made for those with excused absences or special circumstances.

• Access to Grades: Please check Moodle as your grades will be periodically uploaded throughout the semester.

• Absences: No unexcused absences. If you know ahead of time that you will be missing class for an excused absence (doctors appointment, etc.) please make plans with me before hand to make up any missed work. If you must take a sudden excused absence (sickness, death in the family, etc.) please contact me as soon as you are able to make plans for making up any missed work/material. It is your responsibility to make sure all work is completed. This is particularly important regarding animal care work, as your inability to complete a task could result in death or sickness for the animals under your care.

• Accommodations: Please let me know if you are concerned about any issues that may inhibit your ability to learn and perform in this course. I am happy to work with all students to see that everyone has a fair chance to succeed. Goshen College offers all students equal access to classes and programs. If you have a disability and wish to request accommodations, please contact Judy Weaver in the Academic Success Center (Good Library 113). You will be asked to provide documentation of your disability. All information will be held in the strictest confidence. Phone: 574-535-7560; Email: jweaver@goshen.edu.

  • • • • More information at: www.goshen.edu/campuslife/asc/disabilities-services/

• Academic Dishonesty - We will follow Goshen College’s policy regarding discipline and academic dishonesty. At all costs please avoid plagiarism. I expect all students to adhere to Goshen’s Commitment to Community Standards

• Tutoring - The Academic Success Center provides course tutors and writing tutors at no extra cost (even in the summer!)...please use this resource!

• We all need a mental health check up from time to time. Please know that Goshen College has counselors and other mental health services available free of charge to students through Campus Life

• If you are aware of any sexual misconduct, please report it to the Title IX office on campus