Organics 101…a web-based approach

Av Singh, Ph.D.

Sure, those of us employed at the Organic Agriculture Centre of Canada (OACC) have many degrees (and the many letters after our names that come with them), but not one of us has ever taken a course in organic agriculture. Why? Well until recently university or college courses dealing specifically with organic agriculture were non-existent. Now, the Nova Scotia Agricultural College (NSAC) in collaboration with the OACC will be offering four-degree credit (also available for non-credit) courses through the Centre for Continuing and Distance Education. Two courses (Transition to Organic Farming and Composting Skills) were offered through the weeks of 5 September through 19 December, while two other courses (Organic Field Crop Management and Organic Livestock Production) will be delivered in January 2003. Other courses will be offered in the future. Some will be developed and taught at other universities such as the University of Manitoba, University of British Columbia and University of Lethbridge, with an eventual goal of offering a degree in organic agriculture.
The web-based courses will be available for students on a credit basis at the second year degree level. As a web-based course, students can do readings and assignments at any time of day (or night). Students are also welcome to take the courses on a not-for credit-basis. The information and access to the instructor will be the same, however assignments and exams are not required. Farmers in particular are encouraged to register. Their practical experience and innovation will be an asset. Throughout the courses, participants will be encouraged to engage in discussion groups and use the organic information resources currently available over the Internet. Course instructors will facilitate discussions that include current issues to involve students, farmers and others who participate in the courses in a meaningful dialogue.
The courses are not only intended for students and farmers. As organic farming moves into the agricultural mainstream, organic farmers are beginning to call on the larger community to provide input and information for their farms. These organic courses will provide extension agents, university professors, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada researchers, farming advocates, and others the necessary information to understand the basic mechanics of organic farming and the potential opportunities for organic producers.
Here's a brief description of the courses already delivered this past fall of 2002:
Transition to Organic Farming: The transition to organic farming may seem like a daunting undertaking. Understanding the central principles of organic farming, however, can help farmers develop practical strategies for sustainable and profitable organic production. The course "Transition to Organic Farming" helped to define "organic", covered certification and audit trail issues, as well as the basic production information for field and livestock production. In addition, emphasis was placed on the farm as an ecosystem and describe practical approaches to redesigning/planning and managing a farm as an organic system. Dr. Desiree Jans, a former research program manager at Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food, instructed the course. Her experience with legumes and green manures proved valuable in delivering key concepts of crop nutrition and rotation.
Composting Skills: The soil is a living entity and the basis of all successful organic farming. Soil fertility in organic systems depends on the sufficient, on-farm production of high quality composts. The OACC course on "Composting Skills" is an excellent, interactive introduction to the knowledge behind composting systems. Students had "hands-on" opportunity to understand what is going on during the composting process, as all students made their own compost. The course emphasized the science of composting while maintaining a practical approach that catered to farmers, and even the backyard gardeners. Course developer, Maggie Hope-Simpson, an NSAC alumnus and MSc. graduate from McGill University delivered the composting course. Hope-Simpson has worked on soil-N benefits in intercropping systems, which proved useful in describing the soil building properties found when compost is incorporated.
It should also be noted that OACC web courses are not limited to those residing in the Atlantic Provinces. The nature of web-based courses allows increased accessibility. Current interest in the courses has ranged from producers in British Columbia to researchers in Hungary and Slovakia to students in Jamaica. However, as with most web courses there are minimal technical requirements that must be met in order to take the course. Students are required to have a Pentium class PC (or higher) or a G3-based Mac (or higher) with a minimum 28.8K modem (56KB recommended). Students must have full Internet connection with a fully functioning email address, and a web browser (Internet Explorer 5.0 or Netscape 6.2). For more information on the courses and how to register, please click here.

For more information please call the Organic Agriculture Centre of Canada at 902-893-7256 or email oacc@nsac.ca