Course Description
This course provides the fundamental principles pertaining to farmsteading. Structured around sustainable agriculture, students will learn essential information for starting up and/or improving a farmstead through demonstration, instruction and practical application. Topics include securing land, farm planning, soil fertility, plant propagation, animal husbandry, marketing, U.S. Department of Agriculture Good Agricultural Practices, and more.
At the end of this course, students will be able to:
- Identify the major steps taken to secure land
- Prepare a farm plan
- Analyze soils based on soil texture, structure, and chemical makeup
- Perform efficient propagation of plants using both vegetative organs and seeds
- Determine appropriate animals for farmstead use
- Identify marketing opportunities
- Incorporate Good Agricultural Practices to procedures
Topical Outline
1. Principles of farmsteading
2. Starting a farm plan
3. Insurance
4. Marketing
5. Funding
6. Niche
7. Acquiring land/leases/taxes
8. Labor
9. Livestock
10. Rotational grazing and fodder systems
11. Bees/Dairy
12. Social media/creating a website
13. Fencing
14. Lean farming
2. Starting a farm plan
3. Insurance
4. Marketing
5. Funding
6. Niche
7. Acquiring land/leases/taxes
8. Labor
9. Livestock
10. Rotational grazing and fodder systems
11. Bees/Dairy
12. Social media/creating a website
13. Fencing
14. Lean farming