Certificate in Organic Agriculture - Composting and Compost Use (A) DE ENVA 2002   Composting and Compost Use (A) DE
CREDIT HOURS: 3
Composting and the utilization of organic matter produced on the farm provide the basis for soil fertility in organic systems; however, potential benefits derived from compost use are often limited by the supply and quality of composts produced on-farm. The objective of this web-based course is to teach composting primarily by providing students with the opportunity to make their own compost over a period of 13 to 15 weeks. Students learn through five stand-alone modules*: Composting of Organic Materials (how the underlying principles of composting are applied when combining various feedstock materials for composting); Composting Process (how to evaluate and manage an actively working pile and troubleshoot to maintain optimum conditions for composting); On-Farm Composting (efficient and low cost composting methods for agricultural composting at various scales); Compost Quality (how to evaluate the quality of the finished compost, as well as the quality requirements of various standards, markets, and end uses for compost); and Compost Utilization and Marketing (considerations and requirements for the optimal use of compost in organic greenhouse crop production and organic farming systems, as well as factors which are important in the marketing of compost).
NOTES: Fall semester – * Note that making compost and completing all five modules will be a requirement for students who are taking the course for credit. Students who are not taking the course for credit may also decide to make compost and complete all five modules; however, this is not a requirement for non-credit students. To provide maximum flexibility for non-credit students, the modules are offered as independent (stand-alone) units.
FORMAT COMMENTS: DE– only offered as a web-based distance education course.