Course Name & Number

Greenhouse Management

HALT 2308-100

Semester & Year

Spring 2018

Semester Credit Hours

3

Lecture Hours

32

Lab Hours

32

Class Times

Mondays, 12-3:50 p.m.

Class Location

AGC 1604 (Gainesville)

Course Description

(NCTC Catalog)

HALT 2308           Greenhouse Management                                        3 credit hours

32 Lecture hours + 32 Laboratory hours

Fundamentals of greenhouse construction and operation. Topics include architectural styles, construction materials, environmental systems and controls, growing media, fertilizers, post-harvest handling, marketing, and business management.

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.

Compare and select architectural styles and materials for greenhouse construction.

2.

Calculate heating, cooling, and light requirements, and select appropriate equipment

3.

Determine cultural and business methods necessary for crop production.

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

April 5, 2018

Required or Recommended Course Materials

Recommended text:

Nelson, Paul V. 2011. Greenhouse Operation and Management, 7th edition. Saddle River, NJ 07458.

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

Assignment                                     Points

§   Lecture Exams (2@150pts.)             300 pts.

§   Fieldtrips & Reports (4@25pts.)       100 pts.

§   Greenhouse Design Project             100 pts.

§   Participation Rewards                      100 pts.

__________________________________

                                Possible Points=600

Grading Scale:

537-600 points = A
477-536 points = B
417-476 points = C
357-416 points = D
Fewer than 357 points = F

Course Evaluation Descriptions

Lecture Exams

The lecture tests will include all notes, discussions from lecture, reading assignments, lab notes, videos, and fieldtrips.  Lecture tests are not cumulative.  Exam questions will be multiple choice, true/false, fill-in-the-blank, short answer, and/or essay.

Fieldtrips & Reports

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 misses a fieldtrip, regardless of excuse, the points assigned for that fieldtrips 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. These reports will be submitted via Canvas.

Greenhouse Design Project – Individual Project

Students will get to design plans for their personal greenhouses.  Assignment details will be discussed at a later date.

Participation Rewards

Student Handbook

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

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.

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.

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

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.

Greenhouse Combination

5123Enter – sometimes the numbers stick, so be perseverant.

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:

·         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.

Note:  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.

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.

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

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 also sign up for LionAlerts so that you can get notification of campus closures.

Be sure to dress according to the scheduled activity. Wear sturdy shoes and clothes you don’t mind getting dirty.  Be aware that you will be working with soil, potting plants, working in the greenhouse, handling fertilizers, bleach, etc.

There are no vending machines or water fountains in the building – bring water.

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.

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

Week & Date

Topic

Week 1

Jan. 15

§  Martin Luther King Day – All campuses closed

Week 2

Jan. 22

§  Paperwork:  Introductions, Syllabus, Institutional Effectiveness Pre-Test

§  Lecture: Floriculture  (Chapter 1), Construction (Chapter 2)

§  Lab: 

o   Tour of greenhouse; Rules of Greenhouse Handout

o   NCTC greenhouse construction (floor plan, construction materials, benches and beds, orientation, etc.)

§  Video:  Greenhouse Design & Construction ( SB 416 .G7 2007)

Week 3

Jan. 29

§  Lecture: Greenhouse Heating (Chapter 3)

§  Lab: 

o   Asexual Propagation: Perennials

o   Greenhouse Watering Schedule

o   Calculate heating requirements for NCTC greenhouse

o   NCTC Greenhouse efficiency maintenance

o   Prepare water sample for laboratory analysis

§  Video:  How to Grow and Nurture Seedlings (SB 405 H68 200_)

§  Other:  Assign Greenhouse Design Project

§  Roundtable Discussion: Research greenhouse design styles.  If you were to build a greenhouse, what type of style would you build, and why?  Bring a picture of your favorite style with you to class, and be prepared to discuss the style with your classmates, including the advantages and disadvantages of the style and why.

Take Note

§  Jan. 29:  Official Date of Record

Week 4

Feb. 5

§  Lecture:  Greenhouse Cooling (Chapter 4)

§  Lab:

o   Sexual Propagation: Annuals

o   Learn how the NCTC greenhouse cooling system operates

§  Video:  Introduction to Greenhouse Management (SB 415 .I56 1999)

Week 5

Feb. 12

§  Field Trip #1

§  Other:  Fieldtrip Report Due by Feb. 18 (submit your paper online in Canvas)

Week 6

Feb. 19

§  Lecture: Watering (Chapter 8)

§  Lab: 

o   Discuss RO system

o   Analyze data from the water test on the well water

o   Learn about the operation and maintenance of the misting systems

o   Asexual Propagation: Tropical Plants & Air-Layering

§  Video: Oklahoma Gardening’s Hobby Greenhouses(SB 415 O44 1993)

§  Other:  Discuss fieldtrip, Write thank you note, Reminders about Greenhouse Design Project and Troubleshooting

Week 7

Feb. 26

§  Due:  Student Greenhouse Design Project Oral Presentations

§  Lecture:  Root Substrate (Chapter 6)

§  Lab: 

o   Examine various ingredients for substrates

o   Mix root substrates, using three recipes

§  Video:  How to Grow Plants in Sunspaces (SB 416.H71 200_)

§  Other:  Review for Exam 1

§  Assignment:  Bring a root substrate to class for analysis and comparison.

Week 8

Mar. 5

§  Exam I

§  Lecture:  Fertilization (Chapter 9)

§  Lab: 

o   Fertigation in greenhouse

o   Mix fertilizers for Hozon™ and Dosmatic® Injectors

o   Develop a fertilizer schedule for propagated plants in the greenhouse

o   Greenhouse Crop Maintenance

Mar. 12-17

§  SPRING BREAK:  All campuses closed and classes dismissed.

Week 9

Mar. 19

§  Fieldtrip #2

§  Other:  Fieldtrip Report Due by March 25 (submit your paper online in Canvas)

Week 10

Mar. 26

§  Lecture: Light & Temperature (Chapter 12), Chemical Growth Regulation (Chapter 13)

§  Lab:

o   Manual growth regulation (pinching) of plants to promote branching

o   Greenhouse Crop Maintenance

o   Clean out sump tank – be prepared to get wet and work with bleach!

§  Other:  Discuss fieldtrip, Write thank you note

Week 11

Apr. 2

§  Lecture: Insects and Diseases (Chapters 13 & 14)

§  Lab:

o   Scout for insects in greenhouse

o   Mix and apply pesticides (discuss proper application techniques)

o   Go over pesticide chart (in text)

§  Video: Basic Integrated Pest Management For Greenhouse Crops (SB950 .B375 1993)

Apr. 5

§  Take note:  Last day to drop a class with a grade of “W”

Week 12

Apr. 9

§  Fieldtrip #3

§  Other:  Fieldtrip Report Due by April 15  (submit your paper online in Canvas)

Week 13

Apr. 16

§  Lecture:  Postproduction Quality (Chapter 16)

§  Lab:  Greenhouse Crop Maintenance

§  Other:  Discuss fieldtrip, Write thank you note

Week 14

Apr. 23

§  Lecture: Marketing (Chapter 17), Business Management (Chapter 18)

§  Guest Speaker: Guest speaker from the SBDC

§  Lab: Greenhouse Crop Maintenance

§  Other: Exam II Review

§  Roundtable Discussion:  Research the most common reasons why greenhouse (or business)  managers fail in the industry, take notes on your research, and bring them to class.  Be prepared to discuss your findings.  Also, research 5 marketing techniques for the greenhouse industry, and take notes on your research.  Come to class prepared to discuss the techniques you researched.

Week 15

Apr. 30

§  Fieldtrip #4

§  Other:  Fieldtrip Report Due by May 6 (submit your paper online in Canvas)

Week 16

May 7

§  Exam II

§  IE Post-Test

§  Lab: 

o   Take home propagated plants

o   Clean out and organize greenhouse

o   Clean classroom and lab spaces

§  Other:  Discuss fieldtrip, Write thank you note for SBDC & Fieldtrip