Urban Agriculture

environmental science, policy & management 117

 

Fall 2008

 

Course Schedule/Readings

Lab Schedule

Download Fall 2008 Syllabus

 

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 Lecturer:

Dr. Clara Nicholls, ESPM/PACS

 

Graduate Student Instructors:

Nathan McClintock, Geography

Albie Miles, ESPM

 

contact info & office hours

 

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Course:

Tuesdays, 4-7 PM

110 Wheeler

CCN 29349, 4 units

 

Labs:

Fridays @ the Student Organic Garden (corner of Virginia & Walnut streets)

Sec. 1 (CCN 29352) 8-10 AM

Sec. 2 (CCN 29355) 10-12 AM

Sec. 3 (CCN 29358) 1-3 PM

 

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Course Summary:

 

ESPM 117 (formerly called "Urban Garden Ecosystems") revolves around a fundamental question: How do we mend the ecological and social rift between city dwellers and the food they consume?  Over the semester, we take a socio-ecosystemic approach to the study of urban food production (with a particular emphasis on organic gardening) and discuss the ways in which urban agriculture can aid in the reintegration of food, soil, and city.  The course is interactive and hands-on, integrating theory & practice.

 

The classroom component consists of lectures, guest speakers, discussion of readings, and student presentations.  Topics covered include:

 

• "metabolic rift," local food systems, and the political ecology of urban agriculture

• urban agroecosystems in both US and developing world contexts

• urban agriculture & community development (includes field trips)

• fundamentals of horticulture, soil science, insect & soil ecology

• organic production techniques

• urban garden design

 

In weekly lab sessions, we learn how to grow food.  We will cover:

 

• horticultural techniques (plant propagation, direct-seeding, transplanting)

• soil quality & fertility management

• irrigation & water conservation

• pest/disease/weed management

• compost production

• beneficial insect habitat

• fruit tree management

 

Each student will be responsible for an individual project and community garden hours.

 

Grading:

 

Quizzes (25%)

•     Short answer questions/activities on each major topic

Midterm (25%)

•     One take-home exam

Final Project    (25%)

• Groups of 5 or 6 focusing on one element of UA in the local food system   

Participation (25%)

• Lab attendance
• Classroom participation
• Garden responsibilities
• Community garden hours

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