Submitted by Michelle Ajamian ... on Mon, 12/22/2008 - 1:11pm.
Hey Chester,
This program looks very interesting. I guess something I would be interested in seeing, in addition to what you've included, is a bit about the various alternative and cutting edge growing techniques and crop portfolios that are out there now to make small farms both profitable and ecologically sustainable, such as SPIN, urban gardening, Joe Kovach's work in Wooster, permaculture, Elliot Coleman, etc. You may even find it worthwhile to invite some of these folks to one of the classes to present (Joe Kovach or Peter Bane, permaculture teacher, for example). I guess this topic would best fit into week 6?
Submitted by Mayda Sanchez Shi... on Sat, 12/27/2008 - 1:48am.
Chester,
Looks like a nice program. I would second Brandon's suggestion about including options such as SPIN and urban micro farming as this can be a source of entry into farming for those with limited land resources.
Here are some issues from our personal experience that might be considered.
Farm Land - strategies for access to land to start your farm business. To be discussed in week 1 or in week 2. How much acreage do you need for the type of farming you want to do?
Regulatory Issues - depending on mode of marketing and production method, there are a number of issues. This could apply under week 1, 3 or 8.
Production methods: conventional or organic? If organic then do you certify or not? Do you certify in stages?
Will there be an online course offered for those who are working full time but interested in farming? This would also reach a wider based of people beyond the extension's service area.
Submitted by Sam T. Rose on Mon, 12/29/2008 - 10:11am.
Looks like there could be some areas of inersect in the course, and what we are developing here in Local Food Systems, too. localfoodsystems.org (this site) is geared towards becoming a place that people can look to for many of the questions in your syllabus.
One area that has also emerged is in thinking about what you can do with the waste products from smaller ag. Like what those products can be processed into (food, fuel, raw material for industrial processes, etc). How do
Permaculture is worth exploring in depth, and worth collaboratively collecting information on, for that matter. Permaculture done correctly can outproduce traditional ag methods on the same land space.
I think I am going to start a group here to pool knowledge about midwest permaculture (anyone else interested?)
Comments
Curricullem for new and small farm college
Hey Chester,
This program looks very interesting. I guess something I would be interested in seeing, in addition to what you've included, is a bit about the various alternative and cutting edge growing techniques and crop portfolios that are out there now to make small farms both profitable and ecologically sustainable, such as SPIN, urban gardening, Joe Kovach's work in Wooster, permaculture, Elliot Coleman, etc. You may even find it worthwhile to invite some of these folks to one of the classes to present (Joe Kovach or Peter Bane, permaculture teacher, for example). I guess this topic would best fit into week 6?
Please keep us updated.
Brandon
Suggested topics for the new and small farm college
Chester,
Looks like a nice program. I would second Brandon's suggestion about including options such as SPIN and urban micro farming as this can be a source of entry into farming for those with limited land resources.
Here are some issues from our personal experience that might be considered.
Farm Land - strategies for access to land to start your farm business. To be discussed in week 1 or in week 2.
How much acreage do you need for the type of farming you want to do?
Regulatory Issues - depending on mode of marketing and production method, there are a number of issues. This could apply under week 1, 3 or 8.
Production methods: conventional or organic?
If organic then do you certify or not? Do you certify in stages?
Will there be an online course offered for those who are working full time but interested in farming? This would also reach a wider based of people beyond the extension's service area.
Regards,
Mayda
Frijolito Farm
Looks like there could be
Looks like there could be some areas of inersect in the course, and what we are developing here in Local Food Systems, too. localfoodsystems.org (this site) is geared towards becoming a place that people can look to for many of the questions in your syllabus.
One area that has also emerged is in thinking about what you can do with the waste products from smaller ag. Like what those products can be processed into (food, fuel, raw material for industrial processes, etc). How do
Permaculture is worth exploring in depth, and worth collaboratively collecting information on, for that matter. Permaculture done correctly can outproduce traditional ag methods on the same land space.
I think I am going to start a group here to pool knowledge about midwest permaculture (anyone else interested?)