PLHRT 2400 - [Exploring the Small Farm Dream]

(CU-SBY)

Fall. Next offered 2017-2018. 2 credits. S/U grades only.

Staff.

Explore opportunities and challenges involved in starting up and managing a small farm. Weekly presentations and discussion with innovative farmers and others. Topics include diversified farming, high-value horticulture, grass-based farming, agroforestry, dairy and livestock opportunities, community-supported agriculture, farm business planning, access to land, marketing strategies, juggling jobs-family-farming, and more. Field trips to local farms.

Outcome 1: Learn about opportunities and challenges involved in starting up and managing a small farm.

Outcome 2: Learn how to find and evaluate information to build a small farm management plan.

Outcome 3: Critically analyze different types of farm businesses for sustainability from economic, social, and environmental perspectives and reflect on personal skills and resources needed for success.

Outcome 4: Interact with diverse, innovative farmers to learn details on diversified farming, high-value horticulture, grass-access to land, marketing strategies, juggling jobs-family-farming, and more.

Outcome 5: Collaborate on a class project focused on developing a farm startup plan.

Outcome 6: Participate in field trips to local farms to review these operations.