NORTH CENTRAL TEXAS COLLEGE

Horticulture Program

 

Naturalistic Horticulture (HALT 1372)

Fall 2017 Class Syllabus

 

 

 

Course Name & Number

Naturalistic Horticulture

HALT 1372-100

Semester & Year

 

Fall 2017

 

 

Semester Credit Hours

3

Lecture Hours

32

Lab Hours

32

 

 

Class Times

Mondays, 2:30-6:20 p.m.

Class Location

AGC 1604

 

 

Course Description

(NCTC Catalog)

 

HALT 1372          Naturalistic Horticulture                           3 credit hours

32 Lecture hours + 32 Laboratory hours

An organic approach to plant production, pest management, soil fertility, and plant health. Emphasis on sustainability, xeriscaping and landscaping using native plants as well as creating wildlife landscapes.

 

 

Course Prerequisite(s):

None

 

 

STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES (From Academic Course Guide Manual /NCTC Catalog)

At the successful completion of this course the student will be able to:

1.

Demonstrate and apply sustainable horticulture techniques and principles.

2.

Explain the benefits of biodiversity in the garden.

3.

Produce and maintain healthy soils.

 

 

INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION

Name of Instructor:

Ashley Hartman

Campus/Office Location:

Gainesville – AGC 1608

Telephone Number:

(940) 668-7731 x4488 or (940) 668-4217

E-mail Address:

ahartman@nctc.edu

 

 

 

 

INSTRUCTOR OFFICE HOURS

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

 

 

1-4 p.m.

10-3 p.m.

 

I am around campus most days and will gladly meet with students with an appointment.  Just call or email to schedule a time that meets your schedule.

 

 

Last Day to Withdraw

November 9, 2017

 

 

Required or Recommended Course Materials

RECOMMENDED:  Bradley. Rodale's Ultimate Encyclopedia of Organic Gardening. Rodale Press, Inc. ISBN: 1594869170.

 

RECOMMENDED:  Bradley. Organic Gardener’s Handbook of Natural Pest and Disease. Rodale Press, Inc. ISBN: 1605296775.

 

RECOMMENDED: Wasowski. Native Texas Plants. National Book Network, 2nd Ed. ISBN: 9780891230779.

 

 

Course Type

               Academic General Education Course (from ACGM but not in NCTC Core)

               Academic NCTC Core Curriculum Course

x              WECM Course

 

 

 

 

Grading Policy and Procedures

Assignment Point Values

·         100 points  Participation Rewards

·         100 points  Fieldtrips & Reports (3 @ 33.33 points)

·         300 points  Exams (3@100 points)

·         100 points  Naturalist Report

·         600 points TOTAL

 

Grading Scale:

540 - 600 points = A
480 - 539 points = B
420 - 479 points = C
360 - 419 points = D
<359 points = F

Grade Breakdown:

89.5-100% = A

79.5-89.49%=B

69.5-79.49%=C

59.5-69.49%=D

Less than 59.5% = F

 

 

 

 

 

 

Course Evaluation Descriptions

Participation Rewards

Participation is a very important component of your learning experience.  This class is designed to be a class in which students learn from each other as well as by participating in hands-on projects.  Students are expected to take an active part in all discussions and come prepared for these discussions.  Sometimes students are asked to bring supplies to lab, and points will be deducted if supplies are not brought.  After each lab, students are expected to clean up their work areas, which includes sweeping, cleaning countertops, and putting tools away, etc. 

 

Students who participate in activities and who take the initiative required during class will earn participation rewards.   Students not participating and taking the required initiative during labs will not earn these participation rewards.   If a student misses a class, regardless of excuse, the participation rewards for that class cannot be earned, and a zero will be recorded in the grade book.  There are no make-up classes.     I take participation very seriously, and these rewards have to be earned, not just by attending, but by actively engaging in lab activities and coming to class prepared. 

 

Fieldtrips

We will be taking several fieldtrips throughout the semester.  Students are expected to attend these fieldtrips and show up on time for departure; if a student is not in the van for departure at the time class STARTS, the instructor will not wait. If a student misses a fieldtrip, regardless of excuse, the points assigned for that fieldtrip will not be earned, and a zero will be recorded in the grade book for that fieldtrip.  There are no makeup fieldtrips.  After each fieldtrip, students will submit fieldtrip reports covering the questionnaire that is taken to the fieldtrip as well as any other information discussed while on the trip.

 

Lecture Exams

The lecture exams will include all notes, discussions from lecture, fieldtrips, labs, videos, and reading assignments.  Lecture tests are not cumulative.  Exam questions will be multiple choice, true/false, fill-in-the-blank, short answer, and/or essay. If an exam is missed, a zero will be recorded in the grade book.  There are no make-up exams.

 

Naturalist Report

Each student will be required to research a famous naturalist and will give a 20 minute presentation on that naturalist’s philosophy.  The presentations must include a visual/hands-on component (that is approved by the instructor), and a research bibliography must be submitted. Details will be provided at a later date.  If a student misses the due date to submit the report and presentation, a zero will be recorded in the grade book.  There will not be an opportunity to make-up the naturalist report.

 

 

 

 

Student Handbook

 

Students are expected to follow all rules and regulations found in the student handbook and published online.

 

 

 

 

 

Disability Services (Office for Students with Disabilities

The Office for Students with Disabilities (OSD) provides support services for students with disabilities, students enrolled in technical areas of study, and students who are classified as special populations (i.e. single parents).

Support services for students with disabilities might include appropriate and reasonable accommodations, or they may be in the form of personal counseling, academic counseling, career counseling, etc.  Furthermore, OSD Counselors work with students to encourage self-advocacy and promote empowerment. The Counselors also provides resource information, disability-related information, and adaptive technology for students who qualify.  If you feel you have needs for services that the institution provides, please reach out to either Wayne Smith (940) 498-6207 or Yvonne Sandman (940) 668-4321.  Alternative students may stop by Room 170 in Corinth or Room 110 in Gainesville.

 

 

 

Academic Dishonesty

 

Scholastic dishonesty shall include, but is not limited to cheating, plagiarism, academic falsification, intellectual property dishonesty, academic dishonesty facilitation and collusion.  Faculty members may document and bring charges against a student who is engaged in or is suspected to be engaged in academic dishonesty.  See Student Handbook, “Student Rights & Responsibilities: Student Conduct ([FLB(LOCAL)]”.  Consequences for academic dishonesty are detailed in the Student Handbook.

 

 

 

QUESTIONS, CONCERNS, or COMPLAINTS

Name of Chair:

Steve Keith

Campus/Office Location:

Gainesville – AGC 1602

Telephone Number:

(940) 668-4217

E-mail Address:

skeith@nctc.edu

 

Name of Dean:

Debbie Huffman

Campus/Office Location:

Gainesville – Career & Technical Education Building

Telephone Number:

(940) 668-3357

E-mail Address:

dhuffman@nctc.edu

 

 

 

 

Attendance and Tardiness Policy

 

General NCTC Attendance Policy:

Regular and punctual attendance is expected of all students in all classes for which they have registered.  All absences are considered to be unauthorized unless the student is absent due to illness or emergencies as determined by the instructor.  It is the student responsibility to provide documentation as to the emergency for approval and judgement by the faculty member.  Approved college sponsored activities are the only absences for which a student should not be held liable and only when provided by a college official ahead of the absence.  Valid reasons for absence, however, do not relieve the student of the responsibility for making up required work.  Students will not be allowed to make up an examination missed due to absence unless they have reasons acceptable to the instructor.  A student who is compelled to be absent when a test is given should petition the instructor, in advance if possible, for permission to postpone the exam.  Student will be dropped from a class by the Registrar upon recommendation of the instructor who feels the student has been justifiably absent or tardy a sufficient number of times to preclude meeting the course’s objectives.    Persistent, unjustified absences from classes or laboratories will be considered sufficient cause for College officials to drop a student from the rolls of the College. From Board Policy FC (LOCAL)

 

Course-Specific Attendance Policy:

For every three absences, the student’s final grade will drop by one letter. 

 

Three instances of tardiness (entering class late) will constitute one absence. Students who come late and leave early on the same class day will be counted absent. 

 

Students arriving more than 15 minutes late for class will be counted as absent.

 

Students who come to class late need to make sure that they are counted as present on the roster; see instructor after class to have the roster updated.  If the student fails to have the roster updated, and there is no record of attendance, the student will be counted as absent.

 

If a student does not participate in online activities for a consecutive three weeks, the student might be dropped from the CANVAS roster (blocked in CANVAS) and might be dropped from the class.

 

The professor will not provide class notes to those who are absent.  Students are responsible for obtaining the missed materials and notes from a classmate, not from the professor.

 

 

 

Other Policies and  Pertinent Information

 

 

 

 

 

Other Policies and  Pertinent Information, Continued

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other Policies and  Pertinent Information, Continued

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Emailing the Instructor

After the first week of class, all correspondence with the instructor should be done through the Canvas course mail system rather than through the NCTC email system.

 

 

 

 

Missing Assignments

There are no make-up exams, quizzes, reports, assignments, etc. in this course.  If a student misses any assignment, the student will receive an automatic zero.

 

Disruptive Behavior

A student who engages in any behavior or language in the classroom that intentionally or unintentionally disrupts the learning process will be asked to leave the class and may be reported to the Vice President of Instruction for disciplinary action.

 

Grade and Attendance Records

All grades and attendance/tardy records will be posted in Canvas and can be accessed at any time during the semester.

 

Cell Phones, Texting, and Outside Communication

Please silence all cell phones before class.  In cases of emergencies, you may answer your phone or a text, but please leave the classroom/lab environment to do so.  Texting and outside communication in the classroom and lab environments is prohibited.

 

Missing Classes

Each class is assigned participation points that students earn as a reward while attending.  Regardless of excuse, if a student misses a class, participation rewards for that lab cannot be earned, as the opportunity to earn them is during the scheduled class.  There are NO MAKE-UP classes.

 

Late Work

Late work will not be accepted for any reason. Computer problems are not an excuse for late work.  All assignments not turned in by the due date will be given a zero in the grade book.

 

Tobacco Products

Please do not bring tobacco products or any containers that might have tobacco byproducts in them into the classroom, the gardens, or the Gainesville Greenhouse.  See Tobacco Free Campus Information Policy.  If you do use tobacco products, always wash your hands with soap and water before entering the greenhouse (Gainesville) or touching any plants.

 

Study and Preparation Time

This is a 3-hour credit class.  In general, students should expect to spend 2-3 hours studying for each credit hour of a course.

 

Notes

It is the student’s responsibility to take notes during class, lab, and fieldtrips.  Bring a notebook that you can carry around and be able to access quickly.  The instructor will not remind students to take notes.

 

 

Web Browser

Take note that it is best to use FireFox as your web browser when using CANVAS.

 

Extra Credit

There is no extra credit offered in this class.

 

Curving Exams and Final Grades

Exams, assignments, and final grades are NOT curved in this course.

 

Lab Attire, Physical Nature of Activities, and Weather Factors

Be prepared to work in the heat, cold, and wet weather, if labs are scheduled for outdoors.  If the weather warrants a change in lab schedule, students will be notified by the instructor via an announcement or a note posted on the classroom door.  Check announcements before coming to class. 

 

Be sure to dress according to the expected weather and appropriately for the scheduled lab activities.  Wear sturdy shoes and clothes you don’t mind getting dirty.  Be aware that you will be on your knees, bending, digging, etc.  You may also need sunscreen, bug spray, and a hat.  Also, be sure to come prepared with water to drink.  There are no vending machines or water fountains near the gardens.

 

This class is more physically demanding than other college classes.  Some of the lab activities are strenuous in nature.  Please come prepared to carry heavy loads, to dig, to walk lengthy distances on occasion, to kneel, to use hand saws, etc.  This is not a lab where we consistently sit in a classroom.

 

Receiving Communication From Your Instructor

Students can receive instructor announcements via texts and/or to their personal email accounts.  To activate this setting, go to your Canvas profile, and enter in how you would like to receive communications.

 

 

 

 

Evaluation of Class and Instructor

 

I am open to receiving your comments, either positive or negative.  These help me to enrich this course and improve as a teacher.  Please feel free to see me, email me at ahartman@nctc.edu, or send me a note in the mail to the following address:  NCTC, ATTN: Ashley Hartman, 1525 West California Street, Gainesville, TX 76240.

 

 

 

 

Tobacco Free Campus Information

 

NCTC restricts the use of all tobacco products including cigarettes, cigars, pipes and smokeless tobacco on campus property. NCTC is aware that tobacco use influences underage students which cumulates unsightly tobacco litter and interferes with assuring clean air for all who come to NCTC. NCTC recognizes the health hazards of tobacco use and of exposure to second hand smoke. Information on a tobacco cessation program is available for students, faculty, staff who wish to stop using tobacco products. We would like to "thank you" for your help in making our campuses Tobacco-Free. For questions or concerns please contact the Office of Vice President of Student Services at (940) 668-4240.

 

 

 


 

Toxoplasmosis

 

Toxoplasmosis is caused by a protozoan (one-celled) parasite known as Toxoplasma gondii. Dangers to an unborn child from toxoplasmosis include birth defects and fetal death.  The disease can be passed to people through contact with cat feces, and exposure is possible through contact with contaminated soil.  Pregnant women should wear gloves when gardening or working in soil or sand, as it may have been used by neighborhood cats and contain cat feces.   Any foodstuffs from the garden (fruits, vegetables, herbs, etc.) should be washed thoroughly before ingestion. 

 

 

 


 

Facebook & Email Lists

 

I oftentimes take photographs during class and will post them to Facebook.  Please Like us at NCTC Agriculture to see posted pictures.

 

If you would like to join email lists to be notified about information regarding the Horticulture Certifications, Job Opportunities, or the NCTC Horticulture Club, please send me an email expressing interest. 

 

 

 

 



 Tentative Calendar

 Date

Topic

Week 1

Aug. 28

•     Semester Set-up:  Introductions, Syllabus, Canvas Overview

•     Lecture: BASIC ORGANIC PRINCIPLES vs. CHEMICAL AGRICULTURE

•     Helpful Reading Assignments: 

       Organic Gardener’s Handbook of Natural Pest and Disease: Pages 2-22

       Rodale's Ultimate Encyclopedia of Organic Gardening: Pages 1-28 (Green Gardening), 300-302 (Heirloom Plants), 400-405 (Organic Gardening), 530-541 (Seed Starting & Seed Saving), 660-662 (Xeriscaping)

•     Semester Goals:  What do you want to learn from this course?

•     Other:  Take IE pre-test

Week 2

Sept. 4

•     Sept. 4:  Labor Day Holiday – College closed and classes dismissed

Take Note

•     Sept. 11:  Official Date of Record

Week 3

Sept. 11

 

•     Lecture: THE LIVING SOIL

•     Helpful Reading Assignments:

Rodale's Ultimate Encyclopedia of Organic Gardening: Pgs. 175-179 (Cover Crops), 180-182 (Crop Rotation), 381-385 (Mulch), 405-406 (Organic Matter), 462-464 (pH), 550-562 (Soil)

•     Lab: Soil experiment (three types of garden preparations: control, lasagna garden, typical amending) & Mulch experiment

•     Roundtable Topic:  Organic Gardening:  bring to class at least two articles about the importance of creating a living soil in the organic gardening system and how to achieve this soil.  Be prepared to discuss the information you gathered during a round table discussion.

•     Other:  Assign  Naturalist Report

Week 4

Sept. 18

•     Lecture: COMPOST, VERMICOMPOST & COMPOST MICROBIOLOGY

•     Helpful Reading Assignments:

Rodale's Ultimate Encyclopedia of Organic Gardening : Pgs. 154-163(Compost),  204-206 (Earthworms), 229-237 (Fertilizers), 371-372 (Manure)

•     Lab:  Make vermicompost (to bring 1 qt. sized zip-bag of worm food, 1 newspaper, & cardboard)

•     Video: Production Systems for a Backyard or Small Farm

Week 5

Sept. 25

•     Fieldtrip #1

 

Week 6

Oct. 2

•     Lecture: WILDSCAPING & BIODIVERSITY

•     Helpful Reading Assignments: 

Wasowski. Native Texas Plants: Pages xv-xxiv, 1-6, 33-40, 116-121

Rodale's Ultimate Encyclopedia of Organic Gardening: Pages 71-72 (Bats), 386-389 (Native Plants), 583-584 (Toads), 657-659 (Wildlife Gardening)

•     Lab: Make compost tea and biochar, Inoculate cover crop seeds, & plant them

•     VideoJoel Salatin’s Polyface Farm (DVD S 451 .V8 P659 2001)

•     Other:  Exam Review



Week 7

Oct. 9

•     EXAM I (covers Weeks 1, 3, 4, 5, 6)

•     Lecture: PERMACULTURE

•     Helpful Reading Assignments:

Rodale's Ultimate Encyclopedia of Organic Gardening: Pgs. 442-444 (Permaculture)

•     Lab: Examine soils under microscopes, follow-up on soil experiment from week 2

•     VideoRuth Stout’s Garden

Week 8

Oct. 16

 

•     Lecture: NATURAL WEED CONTROL, INVASIVE PLANTS, & WILDFLOWER GARDENING

•     Helpful Reading Assignments:

Rodale's Ultimate Encyclopedia of Organic Gardening: Pgs: 650-655 (Weeds)

•     Lab:  Make Insect Hotel

•     Video:  Sepp Holzer’s Permaculture: Farming with Nature (S494.5 .P47 S46 2008 DVD)

•          Other:  Review Exam Results, Naturalist Report Questions

Week 9

Oct. 23

•          Fieldtrip #2

 

Week 10

Oct. 30

Naturalist Reports Due

Lecture: Naturalist Reports

Lab: Hands-on component of Naturalist Reports

Week 11

Nov. 6

Lecture: Finish Naturalist Reports

Lab: Hands-on component of Naturalist Reports

Video:  Farmscaping: Advanced Tactics for Achieving Sustainable Agriculture DVD

Other:  Exam Review

Take Note

•          Nov. 9: Last day to drop a class with a “W”

Week 12

Nov. 13

Exam II (covers Weeks  7, 8, 9, and 10)

Lecture: NATURAL PEST CONTROL

Helpful Reading Assignments:

·         Organic Gardener’s Handbook of Natural Pest and Disease: Pages 345-392

·         Rodale's Ultimate Encyclopedia of Organic Gardening: Pages 35-41 (Animal Pests), 80-84 (Beneficial Insects), 445-461 (Pests), 468-482 (Plant Diseases & Disorders)

Lab: Compost tea application and soil experiment follow-up from week 2

VideoGreen-Ovating:  Sustainable Landscaping (topics: rainwater, native plants, green roofs, etc.) (SB472.45 S878 2010 DVD)

Week 13

Nov. 20

•          Lecture: SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE

•          Helpful Reading Assignments:

Rodale's Ultimate Encyclopedia of Organic Gardening: Pgs:  206-215 (Edible Landscaping)

•          Video: Starting a Produce Farm (HD 57.7 .S737 2012 DVD)

•          Lab: TBD (perhaps Make wildscape fountains)

•          Other:  Review Exam Results

Take Note

•          Nov. 22-25: Thanksgiving Holiday – College Closed

Week 14

Nov. 27

•          Fieldtrip #3

Week 15

Dec. 4

 

•          Lecture: MODELS & MOVEMENTS IN SUSTAINABLE HORTICULTURE

•          Lab: Follow up on projects

•          Other:  Exam Review

Week 16

Dec. 11

•          Exam III (covers Weeks 11, 12, 13, 14, and 15)

Take Note

•          December 15: Commencement Ceremonies

 

 

 

 


 

NORTH CENTRAL TEXAS COLLEGE

 

Horticulture Program

 

 

 

INSTRUCTOR:

Ashley Hartman

Office: 1608

Telephone: (940) 668-7731 Ext. 4488

 

 

 

COURSE NUMBER AND NAME:

HALT 1372 Naturalistic Horticulture

 

 

 

SEMESTER AND YEAR:

                2017 Fall Semester

 

 

 

 

I, the undersigned, acknowledge that I have read and understand the policies of this HALT 1372 course syllabus (as stated in the preceding document) and agree to abide by the terms of this syllabus.  All terms of this syllabus are subordinate to published NCTC policies and all federal, state, and local laws and ordinances. 

 

 

 

______________________________________

Student’s Name—PLEASE PRINT

 

 

______________________________________                       ________________________

Student’s Signature                                                                                         Date

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

STUDENT INFORMATION

 

 

 

Name_______________________________________________________________

 

 

Mailing Address (Include City and Zip)

 

____________________________________________________________________  

 

____________________________________________________________________

 

 

Home Telephone______________________________________________________

 

 

Cell Telephone_______________________________________________________

 

 

Email Address________________________________________________________

 

 

College Major_________________________________________________________

 

 

Occupation__________________________________________________________

 

 

Future Business Plans_________________________________________________

 

 

How did you find out about this class?___________________________________

 

What do you hope to accomplish by taking this course?  Please list at least 3 goals.

 

 

2.

 

3.

 

 

 

 

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