Student Organic Farm Planning, Growing and Marketing 3 Credit Course

Mondays & Fridays 11:45-1:40 Meets in 132 Plant Growth Greenhouse Classroom
Have you ever wanted to grow your own food? Have you wondered what growing organic food really means? Are you interested in selling directly to eager consumers? Are you interested in field or greenhouse research growing fruits are vegetables with out synthetic pesticides and fertilizers? If the answer to any of these questions is yes?, then this “hands dirty” course that plans, grows, and markets organic produce and flowers from the Student Organic Farm is for you!

During the course students will: * Plan, grow, and market organic produce and flowers for the Student Organic Farm located on the St. Paul Campus * Review past year production and marketing successes and challenges * Explore specific organic certification production practices for soil health and fertility, pest management, composting, processing, season extension, and options for marketing * Engage in consensus building practices to make decisions and create a plan for the 2008 season * Design a research project that could be executed on the farm during the summer growing season * Learn organic seedling production, effective transplanting to minimize weed competition, insect identification with an emphasis on supporting beneficial insect populations, and disease management * Participate in all aspects of planning, growing and marketing organically grown fruits and vegetables.

View the course flyer or for more information, contact Courtney Tchida at teh MN Institute for Sustainable Agriculture at 612-625-2738.