ORGANIC
AGRICULTURE COURSE
CURRICULUM
CONTENT
History of Agriculture
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Brief
insight into the history of modern agriculture
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Separation of the
four streams of Agriculture
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The turning point
through Johan von Liebig
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The green
revolution
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Modern
conventional agriculture
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Modern
alternative streams of agriculture (Kyusei, Bio-dynamics…) |
The four kingdoms of Nature
An insight into how does modern human man immerse him /
herself into the natural world.
The environment influencing agriculture
– working with Permaculture principles
Subjects include:
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Topography
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Water
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The
nature of water
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Rain
and water harvesting
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Erosion
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Slope
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Light
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Temperature
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Wind
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Pollutants
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Zone/sector
planning |
Soils
Subjects covering agricultural soils include amongst others:
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The formation of
soils through climate. Living organisms, parent material,
topography, time
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Soil profile and
properties of soil
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Soil texture
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pH
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Soil organic
matter
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Soil moisture
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Simple soil
tests |
Basic Botany
Subjects
include:
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Plant
structure
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Seed
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Root
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Leaf
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Stem
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Flower
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Soil
ü
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Water
÷
|
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Temperature
ý
as influences
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Light
þ
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Composting
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What is compost ?
an introduction
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Principles of organic & Biodynamic composting and the natural composting processes
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Materials for organic & Biodynamic composting
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Practical
organic & Biodynamic composting
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Uses of
organic & Biodynamic composts
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Environmental
aspects
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Types of
organic & Biodynamic compost
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Earthworms |
Effective micro-organisms
(EM)
Understanding the concept of micro-organisms
The making and use of EM and all the different EM derivatives (see page
on Kyusei Farming) in
organic & Biodynamic agriculture
Fertilising preparations
This
subject will include an approach to fertilising the soil and plants
through the use of:
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Organic & Biodynamic Manure teas
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Comfrey/nettle
tea
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Seaweed
extracts
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Organic & Biodynamic Compost
tea
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Green
manures |
Pest and disease control
This subject will look at identifying the different pests and diseases
and their control. Preventative precautions will also be addressed. The
skills acquired in this block will enable the grower to understand insect,
pest and diseases control from the organic &
Biodynamic point of view. Organic &
Biodynamic Pest, insect and
disease control methods will be discussed.
Garden management
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Garden/bed
layout (time and space)
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Record
keeping
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Tools/use
of tools
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Harvesting
techniques
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Seed
saving
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Organic & Biodynamic Crop
rotation, companion planting
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Marketing
strategies, co-ops, CSA etc. |
Livestock
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Organic & Biodynamic Chicken |
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Layers
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Broilers
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Bees
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Organic & Biodynamic Cattle |
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Beef |
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Dairy
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We will provide a comprehensive reference
manual and supply a basic resource library to the participating group/s.
This
organic & Biodynamic
training can be done on site or at a LINDROS training facility.
Two days following
the completion of the course could be allocated to addressing the
way forward with a conceptual plan drawn up in conjunction with the
farmers and the relevant community members. This is an alternative offered
so that a plan of intent can be drawn up with participants applying their
newly acquired skills to the site specific conditions of there working
environments.
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