Cultivating Success
Sustainable Small Farming and Ranching:
SVC ENVAG 170
WSU Skagit County Extension
11768 Westar Lane Suite A
Burlington, WA 98233
Thursdays, 6:00 – 9:00 p.m.
Fall Semester, 2015
Instructors:
| Kate Selting | Kate Seymour |
| Latino Farmer Outreach CoordinatorSmall Farms/Skagit County Extension(360) 428-4270 ext. 223 | Research and Outreach CoordinatorSkagit County Extension(360) 428-4270 |
| kate.selting@wsu.edu | kate.seymour@wsu.edu |
Course Dates Fall 2015
September 24th – December 10th
Thursdays 6pm-9pm
Two out of class field trips
Saturday October 3rd
Saturday November 21st
Course Objectives
- To gain knowledge of the practical aspects of whole farm planning for a wide variety of enterprises
- To gain an understanding of the various components of sustainable small-scale farming systems
- To gain skills in assessing the feasibility of developing a viable, sustainable, small-scale farming enterprise including how to evaluate personal and family goals, evaluate land and personal resources, and improve environmental outcomes
- To learn about available resources and support networks for sustainable farming in Skagit
- To develop a whole farm plan that meets social, environmental, and financial goals
This course builds on a foundation of principles established by Cultivating Success:
Farmer Mentoring – involves farmers as speakers and on-farm tours
Experiential Learning – on-farm visits and learning activities as part of the process for evaluation of enterprises, trying out ideas on others and receiving feedback
Community based – building networks of resource people and connections that help location of needed information
Whole Farm and Sustainability Focus – dependent on environmental, financial and quality of life aspects
Small Farm Focus – geared to smaller acreage operations that produce high value specialty crops and/or livestock and direct market to customers – BUT can be taken by producers with any sized operation as a means to learn more about specialty farming.
Textbook
Sustainable Small Farming Resources (Links provided on Skagit County Cultivating Success website under “Course Readings”)
The New American Farmer (digital copy available online for download or print order at http://www.sare.org/Learning-Center/Books/The-New-American-Farmer-2nd-Edition
Course Website
http://ext100.wsu.edu/skagit/cultivating-success/small-acreage-farming-and-ranching-course/
Course Format
The schedule shows the main topic and the speakers for each session. In addition, each week there will be discussions about assignments and follow-up on previous topics as needed.
Course Requirements
Continuing Education Students
Community members (non-academic) may earn 1.5 Continuing Education Credits by attending classes. CEU students will not be required to complete on-line assignments. CEU are awarded on a basis of at least 80% attendance. Although highly encouraged, continuing education students are not required to complete assignments, however, to receive credit, each student will be expected to give a short oral presentation on your ideas about an existing or future farm enterprise the final week of class. CEU students will be encouraged to complete the farm plan process to benefit fully from the course.
Skagit Valley College Academic Students
Attendance
Due to the nature of the course with the many valuable guest speakers that cannot be duplicated, attendance will be required at all class sessions.
Field Trips
There will be two required field trips that are an essential part of the course. Please let us know ahead of time if there are extenuating circumstances that prevent participation in the field trips and we will discuss alternative make-up options.
Assignments
There will be required weekly reading assignments and periodic written assignments.
A final written project and oral presentation will be required. Students will develop and present a Whole Farm Plan to the class. Requirements for Whole Farm Plans and final presentation will be provided on a separate handout.
Grading for SVC Academic Students:
Points:
Assignments 12 @ 5 pts each 60
Final Farm Plan 50
Class Attendance 110
Field Trip Attendance 30
Final Presentation 50
300
Assignments will be marked down 3 points for every week they are late.
Farm plans will be marked down 5 points if not presented on final day of class, and 5 more points if not turned in at last class meeting.
Grades will be assigned according to individual performance and not on a curve. The grades are assigned as follows:
SVC Grading Scale
| A | 94-100 | B+ | 86-89 | C+ | 76-79 | D+ | 66-69 |
| A- | 90-93 | B | 84-85 | C | 74-75 | D | 60-65 |
| B- | 80-83 | C- | 70-73 | F | <60 |
Class Schedule
| Date | Topic |
Week 1: September 24 Sustainability Concepts
Week 2: October 1 Developing your whole farm plan
Field Trip: October 3 Skagit Valley Festival of Family Farms
Week 3: October 8 Evaluation of Resources & Enterprise Assessment
Week 4: October 15 Sustainable Crop Production
Week 5: October 22 Basics of Ecological Soil Management
Week 6: October 29 Integrated Pest and Weed Management
Week 7: November 5 Sustainable Livestock and Poultry & Grazing Management on Small Acreages
Field Trip 2 TBA
TBAWeek 8: November 12 Equipment and Facilities
Week 9: November 19 Marketing Strategies and enterprise budgets
Week 10: November 26 NO CLASS: THANKSGIVING BREAK
Week 11: December 3 Tools for success and prep for presentations
Week 12 December 10 Final Presentations