Course Outline - Fall 2008

Background:

Since 2000, local farmers have been working formally and informally with Kenyon students and faculty in areas of mutual interest concerning issues of sustainable agriculture, environmental concerns, and preservation of farmland surrounding the college. This has led to a growing interest and involvement of more students in sustainability issues, local foods, and connections with the local and global community.

Purpose:

ENVS 291 introduces students to the principles of sustainable agriculture through hands-on experience on local farms and through readings and discussion of current literature. As such, this course is a combination of fieldwork and seminar-style discussion. Work on the farm will be varied, determined by the seasons and farm projects underway. In addition, students will be taken to the local Producers Livestock auction, and other off-farm visits as the time and season allows. Students can expect to handle animals, clean barns, harvest crops, plant crops, prepare farm products for market, build and repair fence, bale hay, feed animals, and work with, repair, or clean equipment and buildings and other activities as needed. Readings will be drawn from relevant books, current environmental literature and topical news items. Discussions will be student-led and combine readings and their experiences in the field. There are no pre- requisites for this course. However, students must have available in their academic schedule five continuous hours one day per week to spend working at a local organic farm (travel time will be in addition to these five hours). In addition, students will participate in a weekly 1.5-2 hour seminar discussion of assigned readings.

Requirements:

• Students must have available in their schedule five continuous hours one day per week to spend on the farm and two hours available for a weekly seminar-style discussion on campus. Travel time will be in addition to these five hours. Those going to the Rickard’s Fox Hollow Farm should plan on 30 minutes of travel time and those going the Helt’s Dharma Farm 15 minutes. Students are responsible for their own transportation to and from the farm.
• Grading for the course will be determined by the number of hours spent on the farm, participation in seminar. To receive an A in the course will require 70 hours of farm work (5 hours x 14 weeks), as well as the completion of the readings, assignments, and participation in discussions.

Course Content and Expectations - at the Farms:

• Farmers will plan work for the students that is varied, as determined by the seasons and farm projects underway. In addition, students will be taken to the local Producers livestock auction, and other off-farm visits as the time and season allows.
• Students can expect to handle animals, clean barns, harvest crops, plant crops, prepare farm products for market, build and repair fence, bale hay, feed animals, and work with, repair, or clean equipment and buildings and other activities as needed.

• Students will not be required to operate dangerous equipment or engage in any activity where they do not feel prepared or otherwise feel uncomfortable. Chain saw operation and firearm use are strictly prohibited. Students will sign a waiver of liability prior to starting the course.
• Students are expected to have appropriate clothing for work on the farm, which includes: boots, globes, insulated coveralls (or the equivalent) .

Course Content and Expectations - Seminar:

• We will meet as a seminar group weekly to discuss assigned readings and how they relate to work on the farms.
• Weekly reading assignments:
  • Chapters from "The Omnivore's Dilemma"
  • Other readings from current literature or popular press
• Weekly writing assignment:
  • One to two page essay linking your work on the farm to anything in the weekly reading
  • Three questions that you will ask the farmers in during your work the coming week
  • NOTE: your essay may reflect the conversation you had with the farmers resulting from your questions the previous week