Plant 170T – Organic Farming (3 units)
California State University, Fresno – Spring 2009
Class Lecture Number: 37317- TuTh 12:30- 1:20 pm (AG229)
Lab Session Number: 37318- Th 2:00- 4:50 pm (AG115)
Professors: Dave Goorahoo and Klaus Tenbergen
Office: Ag 229A
Email: [email protected] ( note spelling is different from my last name)
Phone: 278-8448
Office hours: Tues-1:30 to 3:30pm & Friday-9 to Noon- Appointments recommended
COURSE TEXTS AND OTHER MATERIALS:
Textbooks:
* Exploring Sustainability in Agriculture
*Building Soils for Better Crops, 2nd edition, Magdoff and van Es
* A Whole Farm Approach to Managing Pests
* Diversifying Cropping Systems
*Building a Sustainable Business: A Guide to Developing a Business Plan for Farms and Rural
Businesses
* Marketing Strategies for Farmers and Ranchers
* Transitioning to Organic Production
* How to Conduct Research on Your Farm or Ranch
All of the above textbooks are available as free downloads from the SARE website:
http://www.sare.org/publications/index.htm .
In addition, throughout this course, students will compile an electronic database of relevant
material from reliable organic farming related websites.
For the Entrepreneurship component, the following textbook is recommended:
*National Collegiate of inventors and Innovative Alliance (NCIIA) 2007. Getting Started as an
Entrepreneur: A Guide for Students.
Visit: http://www.nciia.org/pub/gs/index.html for more information and electronic access to
BLACKBOARD AND LECTURE NOTES
Versions of my PowerPoint (PPT) presentations used in the lectures, ranging from the complete set of
slides to a general outline of material, will be posted on Blackboard. For example if the presentation is
too large because of photographs, I may delete the photographs before posting the material on
Blackboard. Also, I may convert the PPT files to pdfs or word documents with the slides shown as
handouts before putting them on Blackboard. Regardless of the method used for posting the slides, the
material posted will include any pertinent tables, graphs, and illustrations. I will make every attempt to
post these documents prior to the lecture in which they will be utilized. Supplemental readings will also
be posted on Blackboard.
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Please note that having access to the documents posted on Blackboard is not an excuse for
missing classes- YOU WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY ADDITIONAL MATERIAL
PRESENTED IN CLASS!
This syllabus is subject to change in the event of extenuating circumstances. If you are absent from
class, it is your responsibility to check on announcements made while you were absent.
GENERAL INFORMATION: This course is an elective in the Plant Science Department. The
course may be used as either a plant health or a crop production class in your program of study.
Consult your advisor for how this class counts toward fulfilling your graduation requirements.
Overall goal of this course is to develop in student’s understanding of the biological, social and
economic principles underlying organic farming systems.
Lectures will be organized around three major questions:
(1) What are the principles of organic farming?
(2) What are the challenges of organic farming production systems?
(3) What are the current and future opportunities for organic farming systems?
COURSE OBJECTIVES:
 To improve the student’s knowledge in the basic principles of organic farming with an emphasis on
vegetable production.
 To critically discuss examples of organic farming practices in an effort to evaluate methods of how to
ensure that organic farming is sustainable.
 To provide the latest information on cultural management, harvesting, processing and marketing of
organic farming products with an emphasis on vegetables common to, or potentially important to
California.
Primary Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, students will:
1) Have a better understanding of the basic principles of organic farming;
2) Recognize that organic farming systems, if practiced in a an environmentally sound manner, can
constitute a larger philosophy of sustainable agriculture;
3) Be able to devise an organic farm management plan required for the registration and certification of
organic farms according to the USDA national Organic Plan (NOP); and
4) Have improved their ability to think critically about the opportunities and challenges faced by organic
growers desirous of establishing economically viable operations in California.
5) Be able to develop an entrepreneurship plan for getting the organic product from “soil to table”.
How entrepreneurship will be incorporated into the course
 The course will cover: applications of basic entrepreneurial concepts; issues in organic
farming marketing; organic farming niche markets; and certification, labeling and
registration of organic farming products.
 Students will compile an entrepreneurial plan to include a description of the farm; description
of labor and equipment needs; plans for managing soil, nutrients, irrigation, insects, diseases,
and weeds; marketing strategies; and business plan to make money.
 A SWOT analysis of the cycle of organic farming including the sales to end consumers will
be addressed.
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

Each student will conduct a peer-review and make recommendations on at least two other
student’s plan; and,
Interaction with personnel from the organic seed and fertilizer industry and with certified
organic growers to learn entrepreneurial skills and suggest innovative ways to help the
organic farmer optimize productivity and profitability.
EVALUATION:
1st Midterm Exam
100 points
2nd Midterm exam
100 points
Final Exam
125 points
Laboratory, field trip reports & SWOT Analysis
100 points
Term Paper/Entrepreneur Plan
75points
Total
500 points
Your grade in this course will be based on the following scale:
A - greater than 450 points (≥90%)
B - 400 to 449 points (80% to 89.9%)
C - 350 to 399 points (70% to 79.9%)
D – 300 to 349 points (60% to 69.9%)
F - fewer than 300 points (< 60%)
Exams and Makeup Exams: The mid term and final exams will be a combination of essay, matching,
true/false, and multiple choice questions. These exams will only cover material directly presented or
discussed during class unless otherwise noted. This may include lecture notes, videos, and reading
assignments. You must schedule any make-up mid-term exams with me prior to the last day of classes.
The format of the make-up midterm is at my discretion.
Your assignment is not considered to be completed until both the electronic and hard copies have
been submitted.
Attendance and Class Participation: Regular attendance in lecture is necessary in order to gain a
complete understanding of course material. The easiest way to obtain and learn the material presented in
class and to practice your critical thinking skills is to attend class. However, you are an adult and you are
paying tuition to take this class. The choice whether to attend or not is yours to make. The consequences
of your choices are yours to bear. If you are absent, it is your responsibility to obtain and learn the
material you missed.
Study Expectations: It is usually expected that students will spend approximately 2 hours of study time
outside of class for every one hour in class. Since this is a THREE (3) unit class, you should expect to
study an average of SIX (6) hours outside of class each week. Some students may need more outside
study time and some less.
Plagiarism Detection: The campus subscribes to the Turnitin.com plagiarism prevention service, and
your written assignments may be submitted to Turnitin.com. Your work will be used by Turnitin.com for
plagiarism detection and for no other purpose.
If you would not like to participate in the Turnitin.com process, then indicate so in writing to the
instructor, in which case the instructor can use other electronic means to verify the originality of your
work. Turnitin.com Originality Reports WILL NOT be available for your viewing.
Subject to Change
This syllabus and schedule are subject to change in the event of extenuating circumstances. If you are
absent from class, it is your responsibility to check on announcements made while you were absent.
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Course/Classroom Policies
Department Mission Statement
To educate students at the baccalaureate and master’s level to become leaders of the agricultural
industry of the San Joaquin Valley, California, and the world. The Department’s goal is to
provide students with an education in modern, scientifically based, economically sound, and
environmentally wise agriculture.
Student Expectations…..Why? Because We Care!
1) We expect students to be active, consistent, and respectful learners.
Active:
- TAKE NOTES….writing the material down initiates the learning/retention process
- Ask questions….the only bad question is the one that is never asked
- Review….spend time outside of the classroom reviewing notes and assigned readings
- If you miss a class, it is YOUR RESPONSIBILITY to check on new assignments
Consistent:
- ATTEND CLASS….regular attendance in essential for comprehending the material
- Complete assignments by the due date
- Review material and readings regularly
Respectful:
- TURN OFF….cell phones and all other electronic devices
- No back row chatter….classroom participation is encouraged, but private conversations
between students will not be tolerated
- Be on time….tardiness will not be tolerated; if you must leave class early, notify the
instructor ahead of time and sit near the exit
2) We expect students to conduct themselves honorably and with integrity.
Academic honesty
- the university’s policy on plagiarism and cheating will be strictly enforced
Communicate
- notify the instructor in advance when you know you will be missing a class
Plant Science instructors will maintain a rigorous academic standard. As such, the student must
invest their time and effort into the learning process in order to succeed in our courses. It is the
goal of every Plant Science instructor to create an engaging learning environment. However, to
ultimately achieve this goal we need you, the student, to be an active part of the process.
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Plant 170T-Organic Farming Tentative Schedule- Updated 04/21/08
Wk Lec #
1
2
1
3
4
2
5
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3
7
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9
10
5
11
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6
13
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Date
Tue, Jan 15
Thu, Jan 17
Tue, Jan 22
Thu, Jan 24
Tue, Jan 29
Thu, Jan 31
Tue, Feb 5
Thu, Feb 7
Tue, Feb 12
Thu, Feb 14
Tue, Feb 19
Thu, Feb 21
Tue, Feb 26
Thu, Feb 28
Tue, Mar 4
15 to to
8 & 9 18 Thu, Mar 13
10
11
19
20
21
22
23
12
13
14
15
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
16
Tue, Mar 25
Thu, Mar 27
Tue, Apr 1
Thu, Apr 3
Tue, Apr 8
Thu, Apr 10
Tue, Apr 15
Thu, Apr 17
Tue, Apr 22
Thu, Apr 24
Tue, Apr 29
Thu, May 01
Tue, May 06
May 8-9
Topic
Course Introduction
Agricultural Sustainability
Is Sustainable Organic and Sustainable
farming synonymous?
Reading Assign.: Ag. Sustainability and
Organic Farming case studies
Goals of Organic farming
Organic farming Standards
Organic farming and food safety issues
Lab 2: Vermi-composting- Set up of
composting bins at Greenhouse
Assignments/Labs/ Field trips/Term Paper
Lab. 1: Electronic Resources for Organic
farming. Report due 01/29/08
Attend CalASA meetings – Food safety –
on Wed Feb 6th in Visalia. Report 02/12/08
World Ag Expo in Tulare- Organic farming World Ag expo- attend on Tue, Wed or
opportunities, equipment and technology
Thurs. Report on 02/19
Presentations by groups on Ag Expo
Guest Lecture by CCOF rep- Cynthia
Organic Farming Transition and Certification Ortegon- Organic certification process
1st Mid term exam
Principles of composting
Visit to Composting Facility on Campus
Exercises on use of OMRI databases
Mar 13-Lab exercise on searching the
OMRI databases
Tue, Mar 18 & Thu, Mar 20 : Spring Recess.
Practices for Increasing and Maintaining
Soil Fertility: Organic manures, Green
Manures and cover crops; Legume-cereals Guest lecture by Tim Stemwedel at CA
crop rotations; Catch and Companion crops. Organic Fertilizers Inc (COFI)
confirmed for Thursday Apr 3rd 2008
nd
Guidelines for Term Assign posted on BB
2 Mid term exam
on Tuesday 8th April
Field Visit to South Kern Composting – Apr 10th confirmed with Ed Needham
“Challenges to Organic Composting”
Practices for Weed, Diseases and Pest
“Consumer Supported Agriculture” –
Control: Biological control; IPM; crop
th
rotation; resistant cultivars; and, Sanitation. CSA-Thu 17 April- Visit to TD Wiley
Farm (Confirmed)
Visit to “Small Organic Vineyard”- Richard Crowe’s farm -Fresno (Confirmed)
Energy use in Organic Agriculture
To AgriCare, Inc. Thomas E. Avinelis
Post-harvest and Marketing: Challenges and “Organic Marketing Strategies and
Opportunities for Organic Farming.
Agribusiness”- confirmed for May 01st 08
Recap -Organic Farming at Fresno State
Faculty Consultation Days
Term Assignment Due: Fri May 09 4pm
Mon- Thurs Final Exam time: To be confirmed
17
Reading assignments will be electronic and posted on Blackboard throughout the semester. Students are responsible
for keeping up with the readings as they are assigned. Many lectures will be presented using PowerPoint. Versions
of these will be posted on Blackboard and will include figures, tables, and some photographs, but may not be the
complete version presented in class.
Students will also be accountable for any material presented on videos.
The procedures and schedule for this course are subject to change in the event of extenuating
circumstances. If you are absent from class, it is your responsibility to check on announcements
made and obtain the material presented while you were absent.
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Summary of Lab Exercises, Field Trips and Exams-Plant 170T
No. Type
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
Description
Lab1 Organic farming electronic resources
Lab2 Vermi-composting- continue thru semester- 1st report
FT1 Food safety- CalASA meeting or alternative exercise
FT2 World Ag Expo- Group Presentation
MT1 First Mid term exam
Lab 3 Principles of Composting- Fresno State composting-Feb 28
FT4 Organic Compost Prod’n Challenges- Earthwise 2-Mar 06
Lab 4 OMRI database search and worksheet
Lab 5 Calculations on Organic Fertilizers
MT2 Second Mid term exam
FT5 Mgt Strategies on Organic Vineyard
FT6 Mgt Strategies on Organic vegetable farm
Term Term Assign- Misc. questions, critiques & opinions
Final Final Exam
Total
Make up Lab or Field Trip Opportunities
2nd report on Vermi-composting
1
FFA Vegetable judging contest
2
Alternative Assignment provided by Instructor
3
Points
10
10
10
10
100
10
10
10
10
100
10
10
75
125
500
Due date
Tues- Jan 29
Tues-Feb 05
Tues-Feb 12
Tues-Feb 19
Tues-Feb 26
Tues- Mar 04
Tues- Mar 11
Thur- Mar 13
Thur- Apr 03
Tues-Apr 08
Tues- Apr 15
Tues- Apr 22
Fri- May 09
TBD
10
10
10
Based on the above:
1. Mid terms exams account for (2 x 20%) 40% of the final grade;
2. Lab Exercises and Field trip reports account for 20% of the final grade;
3. Term Assignment accounts for 15% of the final grade; and,
4. Final exam accounts for 25% of the final grade.
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Date Submitted