Spring Valley EcoFarms is a non-profit organization focusing on education, research, and outreach to promote more ecologically sustainable agriculture. Its seat is Spring Valley Farm, 100 acres in the Georgia Piedmont. The vision is to reduce reliance on external subsidies in agricultural systems through incorporating free services of nature. The goal is to develop a model for conservation of biological diversity and to provide a laboratory where ecological science and theory are put to a real-world test.
In 2012, the summer program will again be offered. The courses, offered through the Odum School of Ecology, are worth 7 hours of UGA credit, and the program can be used as an internship for the Organic Agriculture Certificate Program. Courses are held at Spring Valley EcoFarms, a 100 acre farm located just 5 miles from the University of Georgia, in Athens Georgia.
The classes will be informal, with outdoor lectures, hands-on field experiments, and practical experience in organic agriculture. Courses are organized by Dr. Carl Jordan, Professor Emeritus at the University of Georgia. Guest practitioners, researchers and growers will give talks and demonstrations in areas such as integrated pest management, plant disease, and bee keeping. There will be several field trips to farms in the Piedmont and North Georgia Mountains. Presentations assume no specialized background, but for those interested in further pursuit of a topic, references will be given.
Classes will be held M, W, F, 8:00 AM-12:00PM at Spring Valley EcoFarms, for 11 weeks from May 15 through August 3, 2012*.
* The class will be divided into four teams. Each team will plant their own organic garden and be responsible for managing the garden from planting through harvesting. Teams will experiment with different approaches to building soil with compost, weed control, and disease management.
* You will make daily observations on insects, plant disease, weeds, soil moisture, and crop production.
* Experts in pest control, plant disease, weed control, and irrigation will help you identify problems in your garden, and suggest organic remedies.
* You will do research in your gardens on soil fertility, and compare results with other ecosystems on the farm (pasture, forest, vineyard, agroforestry systems).
* You will be exposed to cover cropping and no-till planting techniques for larger scale organic farms.
* There are a variety of horticultural crops (apples, pears, peaches, blueberries, grapes) on the farm. Summer activities for these crops will include insect and disease control, mulching, pruning, and harvesting.
* You will make your own composting pile using bedding that is used for the ducks, chickens, and geese that are raised on the farm. You will also use some of the crop yield to feed pigs.
* You will be exposed to agroforestry experiments, to see how biodiversity can improve the sustainability of a farm.
* Every class day you will discuss readings on the theoretical basis for organic agricultural techniques, as well as philosophical perspectives on Conservation and Agricultural Sustainability.
The class will build on the research accomplished by the 2011 class, which focused on the effectiveness of different types of compost, and different approaches to weed control.
* Ecology 3700 (May Session: May 15-June 6- Organic Agriculture and the Ethics of Sustainability);Ecology 3710, and 3710L(Thru Term: June 8-August 3- Organic Ag Practicum) Open to all University of Georgia Students. 7 hours credit. No prerequisites, but POD obtained through an interview with Dr. Carl Jordan. Registration for both courses required.
SIGNUPS FOR 2012 SUMMER PROGRAM IN ORGANIC AGRICULTURE BEGIN JAN. 1, 2012
4.Insect Identification; Applied Population Dynamics
Integrated Pest Management
5.Plant Pathology - Vegetables
Plant Pathology - Fruits
6.Weed Control
Agriculture - The Fight Against Succession
7.Social Capital in Agriculture
Participatory Action Problem Solving
8.Agroforestry
Mixed Species Forest Plantations
9.Livestock and Poultry in an integrated farming system
Intensive Grazing Management
Free Ranging Poultry/ Compost Production
Bee Keeping
10.Ecological and Environmental Economics- Non Market Values
Environmental Ethics
11. Systems Ecology
Energy in Agricultural Systems
Organic Agriculture as a Holistic System.
2011
In 2011, a full summer program in organic agriculture was given for the first time at the University of Georgia at Spring Valley Ecofarms. The students got experience planting their own organic gardens, and controlling disease, insect pests, and weeds, as well as feeding and caring for farm animals. Throughout the summer, they enjoyed fresh fruits and vegetables. Some of the free ranging poultry were harvested, and at the end of the summer, a pig was roasted for a class picnic. Here are some photos of the student's experience, and their comments about the course:
"Excellent Class! Thanks Dr. Jordan."
"I enjoyed the guest lectures and talks with other farmers."
"Personal investment of work in the plot was rewarding".
What part of the course did you like best? "The hands on farming experience gained - planting, harvesting, and managing - being able to keep our produce was awesome too."
"I really enjoyed facing the challenges of a farmer."
"Loved the class."
"Really great course, and I am very excited to try this on my own."
"Your book was most helpful."
"I enjoyed seeing the crops grow from seeds to harvest."
"I probably learned more in this class than in any other class in my life."
"Certain fun things we did made the academic portion more bearable."
"I liked learning how to slaughter a chicken."
"The class was wonderful!. Thanks Dr. Jordan so much for all you have done for us!"
Bugs, Birds, and Beasts: a student's perspective on the summer course in organic agriculture, by Ash Collins.
