Pullman, Washington
April 24, 2007
Washington State University (WSU), home of the nation’s
first major in Organic Agriculture Systems, is expanding its
offerings this summer with its first online class in organic
agriculture. The new course, “Organic
Gardening and Farming,” was developed and designed by WSU
Regents Professor John Reganold and doctoral student Jennifer
Reeve, who will be the course instructor. The course begins May
7.
“We’ve had many inquiries from place-bound students in
Washington and elsewhere as to the availability of the new
Organic Agriculture Systems major via distance education,” said
Cathy Perillo, coordinator of the Agriculture and Food Systems
program which offers the major in Organic Agriculture Systems.
“There are many students who want or need to stay and start
their baccalaureate near home but who plan to transfer to WSU
Pullman for the organic major. This offering allows them to get
a start on their major, and to do work beyond the basic biology,
chemistry and humanities courses that often dominate the
community college transfer curriculum,” said Perillo.
“Organic agriculture is so popular that we really needed to
offer this course,” said Reganold. “Faculty, staff and graduate
students at Washington State University have been researching
organic and sustainable farming systems since the 1970s, so we
have the experience and the people for offering such a course.”
Taught in a virtual classroom, “Organic Gardening and Farming”
utilizes online technology to deliver the latest content and
foster critical thinking. Streaming video will enable students
to tour WSU’s organic teaching farm and composting facilities,
while a threaded discussion board encourages students to discuss
their ideas and experiences with each other and their
instructor. Students will also engage in hands-on activities
such as designing their own farm or garden, creating a taste
test, conducting experiments on soil fertility and quality and
interviewing organic farmers in their area.
The course introduces students to the principles and basic
production practices of organic gardening and farming systems.
It focuses on soil quality and fertility, crop management, food
quality, weed and pest management, composting, greenhouse and
hoophouse gardening, organic farm planning, mixed crop/livestock
systems and organic certification standards. Critical thinking
is fostered through a study of the literature and the
controversies that surround organic gardening and farming.
“In agricultural science as a whole we’re trying to address
issues of sustainability,” said Reeve. “Although it isn’t the
only solution, organic systems address some of the problems
we’re dealing with today.”
While “Organic Gardening and Farming” is the first course
specifically designed for students interested in sustainable and
organic agriculture, WSU’s Distance Degree Program, in
conjunction with faculty in the College of Agricultural, Human,
and Natural Resource Sciences, offers many courses in
agricultural science, including a Master of Science in
Agriculture.
For more information about distance education at Washington
State University, please visit www.distance.wsu.edu. For more
information on WSU’s Organic Agriculture Systems major, check
out:
www.afs.wsu.edu/organic.htm . |
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