SUST 318: Ecology of Ag Systems

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

• Professor: Dr. John Mischler (Faculty Profile)

• Office: Oshtemo

• Phone: (309) 264-6946

• Email: jamischler@goshen.edu

• Office hours: immediately before or after class or by appointment

All agricultural systems have an underlying ecology. That is, all agricultural systems are comprised of a mix of biotic (microbes, livestock, plants, etc.) and abiotic (minerals, weather, topography, etc.) components that interact and form the context within which we grow food. Some systems are ecologically complex and layered while others are relatively simple. Some systems depend more on naturally-occurring components (i.e. soil microbes, leguminous plants, organic matter, etc.) while others rely more on human-produced (i.e. synthetic) substances. Regardless, all agricultural systems depend on human management to take these components into account in order to produce food; at the same time some systems are also tuned for other ecosystem services & public goods such as species diversity, carbon sequestration, soil conservation, nutrient retainment, etc . Many management interventions can be implemented across scales and systems (a 2 or 3 acre vegetable plot to a 2,000 acre corn field).

In this course we examine agricultural systems through the lens of ecology. We focus on interactions between biological, geological, and chemical components that form the foundation of our food system. We will focus on understanding agricultural systems as ecosystems governed by the same ecological processes governing all natural systems. Emphasis is placed on approaching agricultural systems as complex, diverse, and in need of multi-faceted management strategies that take into account flows of energy, materials, and information within and outside the farm. Students will learn about the ecological processes controlling soil-water-plant-atmosphere interactions as well as the capture and use of solar energy and carbon in the biosphere. Students will also examine biotic interactions in agricultural systems and a variety of farming practices in the context of sustainability and resilience. We will use representative diagrams, field trips, labs, lectures, reflective writing, projects, and hands-on learning. This course is taught within the framework of "agroecology" being a science, a movement, and a practice.

Catalog Description:

Credits: 4 credits

None - all readings provided digitally

| 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 |

• Course Activities: Schedule of all course activities is found on the Ecology of Ag Systems Google Calendar

• 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. You either turn it in when it is due or you don’t turn it in at all. That being said, 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 ahead of time 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 handed in.

• Statement on Disability Services for Students: 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 is committed to providing all students equal access to programs and facilities. Students who need accommodations based on disability should contact the Director of the Academic Success Center (ASC). Students must register with ASC before faculty are required to provide reasonable accommodations. For more information or to register, please contact the Director of the ASC, Judy Weaver, Good Library 112, jweaver@goshen.edu or 574-535-7560. To ensure that learning needs are met, contact the director of the ASC the first week of classes.

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

• Any student who has difficulty accessing sufficient food to eat every day, or who lacks a safe and stable place to live, and believes this may affect their performance in the course, is urged to contact the Dean of Students, Gilberto Pérez Jr. (gperez@goshen.edu) for support. Furthermore, please notify the instructor if you are comfortable in doing so. He may be able to provide additional assistance or flexibility in meeting the requirements of the course.

• 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. Assignments you submit in this course will be checked for plagiarized material copied from the web, other papers, online databases, and other sources. Cases of academic dishonesty are reported to the Associate Dean. Penalties for plagiarism are listed in the college catalog and range from redoing the assignment to dismissal from the college. Plagiarism entails the use of the ideas and/or words of a source without citation. Any borrowing of language (sentences, clauses, or distinct phrases) without the use of quotation marks is also plagiarism.

• 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

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

1. Recognize key principles and practices of Agroecology and how they work to enhance sustainability and resilience in practical regenerative operations

   1. • Assessment: reflection assignments, chicken ecology, exam

2. Diagram cycles (nutrients, water, etc.) and flows (energy, info, etc.) in and through different types of agroecosystems (vegetable, row crop, agroforestry, plant-animal integrated, etc.)

   1. • Assessment: Diagram Assignment (mind map --> concept map --> causal loop diagram --> stock & flow diagram, link)

3. Evaluate agroecosystem function (carbon storage, biodiversity, productivity, etc.) using field and analytical lab techniques

   1. • Assessment: Labs, CFP assignment

4. Identify, synthesize, and communicate best practices when compiling a regenerative Carbon Farm Plan for a given property

   1. • Assessment: CFP assignment

5. Name & describe key ecological concepts that undergird agroecological systems & identify links between natural ecosystem function and agroecological system function

   1. • Assessment: Ed Garden Ecology assignment, Labs, chicken ecology, exam

6. Observe existing qualities of a particular system (climate, soil, topography, etc. - i.e. Yeoman's scale of permanence) and develop a farm design that works with patterns, landscape features, water limitations, etc. to enhance resilience and self-sufficiency

   1. • Assessment: exam

7. Give examples of workable solutions for common barriers to land access for food production

   1. • Assessment: exam

8. Transform your vision of the future with practical and revitalizing approaches to bring about regenerative food production across your landscape

   1. • Assessment: social media entries, manifesto