Crop & Soil Management

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 provides a holistic view of cropping systems – starting with what makes the vibrant, living soils foundational for regenerative ecosystems. Students learn the basics of soil biology, structure and function as it applies to agroecosystems in a hands-on approach through instruction in our Education Garden, Greenhouse, Orchard, and Perennial Polyculture spaces. Students consider multi-species cropping systems, intercropping, companion planting, etc. to construct Permaculture systems that take into account nutrient cycling, integrated pest management, and hydrology to increase productivity while enhancing sustainability and resilience. As part of this course students will design and implement an agroecological garden used for K-12 food literacy education outreach programs to neighboring communities. Emphasis is on hands-on, experiential learning from seed to table. Students will plant, grow, tend, harvest, prepare, and share a celebratory farm-to-table meal that features their learning and achievements!

Catalog Description:

SUST 316: CROP AND SOIL MANAGEMENT

This course is part of the Agroecology Summer Intensive Semester at Merry Lea delivered within the context of a learning community at Rieth Village. What makes a vibrant, living, healthy soil? What makes agriculture regenerative? Students practice skills and learn theory within an organic, permaculture, biodynamic and systems based framework while participating in a holistic management approach in the greenhouse, gardens, orchards, and fields of Goshen College’s ecological farm.

Credit Hours: 4

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

1. Demonstrate familiarity with common food crops, their botanical characteristics, and management needs.

   • Assessment: Field feedback, Exam

2. Develop capability to properly utilize hand tools, motorized equipment, products, diagnostic procedures, and other management practices in annual and perennial agricultural spaces.

   • Assessment: Field feedback

3. Understand basics of soil structure, soil nutrients, and soil health, as well as soil management practices used to build healthy soil.

   • Assessment: Field feedback, Exam, reflection journal entry

4. Understand polycultures and niches of plants.

   • Assessment: Exam

5. Use knowledge of decision-making tools to work with pest challenges in agriculture systems.

   • Assessment: Field feedback, Exam

6. Gain experience in presenting to a group.

   • Assessment: Education Garden Design Project, Farm to Table Dinner Project

7. Collaborate with course-mates and gain insights into the value of cooperation and diversity of perspectives.

   • Assessment: Education Garden Design Project, Farm to Table Dinner Project

8. Design a small food garden.

   • Assessment: Education Garden Design Project

9. Design and prepare a Farm to Table Dinner.

   • Assessment: Farm to Table Dinner Project

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