The Curriculum
Every May, the Agroecology Laboratory of the Odum School of Ecology, gives an intensive 3-week, University of Georgia accredited course at Spring Valley EcoFarms. Our course takes an ecological approach to agriculture. Ecological principles such as the stabilizing effect of biodiversity, and the efficient use of energy and nutrients to promote sustainability are applicable to agriculture regardless of where in the world it is practiced. We take these principles and show how they are applied at one particular environment – The Piedmont region of Georgia. We emphasize conventional economic principles such as cost/benefit ratio for deciding upon pest and disease control practices, as well as ecological economics when determining the value of ecosystem services such as insect pollination, nutrient recycling by soil microorganisms, and promotion of sustainability through diversification of crops and animals, both domesticated and wild. Beginning in fall, 2008, we will begin offering this course to the general public; you won’t have to be a University student to participate. Stay tuned to this website.
Organic Agriculture Curriculum
The Organic Agriculture Curriculum at Spring Valley EcoFarms has three main components:
1.Ecological Theory: What are the general principles that govern agriculture, regardless of where it is practiced? Why is organic agriculture more sustainable than conventional agriculture, anywhere in the world?
2.Local Characteristics: What are the characteristics of the local environment that govern how ecological principles are applied at that site?
3.Local Application: What are the management practices that best promote sustainability in a particular local environment?
