Curriculum in Organic Agriculture for Agents and Teachers

View the project final report

• 2003 annual report
• 2004 annual report

Commodities

• Agronomic: potatoes
• Fruits: berries (other), berries (strawberries), melons
• Vegetables: sweet potatoes, asparagus, beans, beets, broccoli, cabbages, carrots, cauliflower, celery, cucurbits, eggplant, garlic, greens (leafy), onions, parsnips, peas (culinary), peppers, rutabagas, sweet corn, tomatoes, turnips, brussel sprouts
• Additional Plants: herbs

Practices

• Crop Production: conservation tillage
• Education and Training: general education and training
• Production Systems: transitioning to organic
• Soil Management: earthworms, green manures, organic matter, soil analysis

Georgia Organics has produced a dynamic, basic curriculum on organic agriculture. The curriculum explores the basis of organic growing: soils, soil biology and soil management, as well as plant biology, crop management and composting. Marketing and certification are addressed, as well as detailed instructions on setting up an organic demonstration bed. Videos, lab exercises, student activities and power point presentations provide tools to facilitate student interaction and learning. Real life experiences are offered by the opportunity to visit organic farms and have organic farmers as speakers. The electronic format of the curriculum promotes accessibility and flexibility and is structured so that individual units and activities can be taught separately, used as a supplement, or taught as a semester-long course. The curriculum has been widely distributed to every agriculture teacher, Master Gardener Coordinator, and cooperative extension office in Georgia.

1. 1. Improve the ability and motivation of agricultural professionals to educate others on organic growing by equipping them with curriculum and supporting materials.
   2. Develop curriculum package, including supporting materials, which are adaptable to the audiences of agriculture teachers and extension agents.
   3. Provide organic grower expertise and farm or garden tours to supplement the curriculum package.
   4. Provide information and grower expertise to agricultural professionals who wish to start or improve demonstration gardens or on-farm organic plots as learning resources.