AGR583 Alternative Agriculture (8)

This subject explores the ethics and value systems underlying a range of 'alternative' agriculture systems that forgo the use of such inputs as most synthetic pesticides and fertilizers. Case studies examine some of the practices used by organic farming groups for agricultural production and marketing. The certification standards of these organisations and the transitions required from conventional systems to organic systems are studied. The subject focuses on three principal approaches to management of agricultural land and communities:

Permaculture principles and their application to agriculture
Biodynamic Agriculture
Organic Agriculture and Horticulture

Subject Outlines
Current CSU students can view Subject Outlines for recent sessions. Please note that Subject Outlines and assessment tasks are updated each session.

No offerings have been identified for this subject in 2018.

Where differences exist between the Handbook and the SAL, the SAL should be taken as containing the correct subject offering details.

Subject Information

Grading System

HD/FL

Duration

One session

School

School of Rural Management

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this subject, students should:
  • Be able to appraise the attitudes and reasoning underlying organic, biodynamic and permaculture systems of management
  • Be able to access information and critically evaluate the certification standards and processes of alternative agriculture organisations
  • Be able to identify and appraise practices used in the management of organic, biodynamic and permaculture systems
  • Be able to plan and monitor strategies for the transition from a conventional to an alternative farming system
  • Be able to plan and monitor strategies for the management of farms according to the standards or aims of the system being utilised.

Syllabus

This subject will cover the following topics:

Biodynamic Agriculture Topic 1 The farm as an organism Topic 2 Background to biodynamic agriculture Topic 3 Soil mineral processes and organic matter formation Topic 4 Soil fertility Topic 5 Crop, pasture and animal husbandry Topic 6 Pest and weed control Topic 7 Planetary rhythms Topic 8 Research Topic 9 Marketing biodynamic produce Topic 10 Conversion to biodynamic methods Topic 11 Bidynamic organizations and activities Topic 12 Certification standards Permaculture principles and their application to agriculture Principles 1 - 12 Organic agriculture and horticulture Topic 1 Introduction to organic farming Topic 2 Principles of organic farming Topic 3 Soil management Topic 4 Managing plant nutrition Topic 5 Animal management Topic 6 Pest, disease and weed management Topic 7 Conversion to organic agriculture Topic 8 Certification Topic 9 Marketing Topic 10 Organic agriculture: today and the future

Contact

Current Students

For any enquiries about subject selection or course structure please contact Student Central or ask@csu.edu.au or phone on 1800 275 278.

Prospective Students

For further information about Charles Sturt University, or this course offering, please contact info.csu on 1800 275 278 (free call within Australia) or enquire online.

The information contained in the 2018 CSU Handbook was accurate at the date of publication: August 2018. The University reserves the right to vary the information at any time without notice.

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