urban agriculture

environmental science, policy & management 117

Fall 2008

Instructors :

Dr. Clara Nicholls, ESPM/Peace & Conflict Studies

Nathan McClintock, Geography

Albie Miles, ESPM

contact info & office hours

Course:

Tuesdays, 4-7 PM

110 Wheeler

CCN 29349, 4 units

Labs:

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

Sec. 1 (CCN 29352) 9-11

Sec. 2 (CCN 29355) 11-1

Sec. 3 (CCN 29358) 1:30-3:30

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 gardenESPM 117 - Fall 2008 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.

Syllabus & Readings:

Course schedule & readings

Download ESPM 117 Fall 07 Syllabus FINAL.pdf