PLSCI 2260 - Practicum in Forest Farming as an Agroforestry System

(CU-SBY)

Fall. 1 credit. S/U grades only (no audit).

S. Morreale, K. Mudge.

This course is a hands-on, experiential learning opportunity for students who wish to acquire the skills involved in planning and implementing the agroforestry practice known as forest farming. This course will involve working with and learning about various non-timber forest crops, forest site assessment and design and implementation of a group project. Weekly activities will be integrated with reading assignments through the process of journaling. Most of the weekly activities for this course will take place at the MacDaniels Nut Grove, an on-campus outdoor learning facility, where re students will engage in hands-on learning activities related to non-timber forest crops, site assessment, design and management. Students will be directly involved in the evolving development and management of this existing forest farming teaching and public education site.

Outcome 1: Work with cultivated plants in a natural forest environment.

Outcome 2: Compare the biological and ethical consequences of a non-traditional agroforestry/forest farming to traditional agricultural systems (horticulture, agronomy).

Outcome 3: Explain the concept of productive conservation as it applies to forest farming.

Outcome 4: Integrate sustainable forest farming practices in natural forest ecosystems with minimal negative ecological consequences.