Center for Agroecology

This unit draws on information presented in Units 3.1-3.3 to help students understand efforts to promote greater sustainability and social justice in U.S. food and agriculture systems.

This unit introduces the basics of plant pathology, including the causes of disease, biology of causal organisms, disease diagnosis, and ecological management.

Part 1 of the manual, Organic Farming and Gardening Skills and Practices, emphasizes the “how-to” aspects of organic gardening and farming, including propagation, irrigation, tillage, transplanting, and compost production. This 11-unit section also introduces students to critical skills and considerations in the management of soil fertility and agricultural pests (arthropods, diseases, and weeds) in organic systems. The information included in the manual is based on certified organic production practices that meet or exceed the National Organic Program (NOP) standards. Included throughout is an overview of principles and practices used in NOP-certified production.

This unit introduces the basic biology and ecology of insects, and outlines the various practices for managing arthropod pests in organic cropping systems.

This unit discusses the use of soil tests to assess soil quality, the properties measured in a soil analysis, and the methods for applying soil amendments and fertilizers.

This unit introduces students to the biological properties and ecosystem processes of agricultural soils, including the processes that can be managed to improve soil quality.

These units introduce Part 3, Social and Environmental Issues in Agriculture, and provide students with the historical context for current issues in the U.S. food and agriculture system.

This unit introduces the techniques and benefits of making and using compost at both a garden and field scale, including the biology of the composting process.

This unit discussed the different types of cover crops and their various benefits and drawbacks, and how they fit into organic farming systems.

This unit introduces the concepts and skills used for French intensive garden beds as well as mechanical tillage techniques.