Course Name & Number

Small Farming,

HALT 2321

Semester & Year

Fall 2017

Semester Credit Hours

3

Lecture Hours

32

Lab Hours

32

Time Offered

Thursdays,

1:00-4:50  PM

Class Location

Gainesville Campus

Classroom GNV 201

Instructor

Rebecca H. Parker

   Office Phone #

(940) 668-4217 (Department Assistant)

Instructor’s Office

By Appointment

Office Fax #

N/A

Email Address

rhparker@nctc.edu

Office Hours

By Appointment

Course Catalog Description

HALT 2321               Small Farms                           3 credit hours

32 Lecture hours + 32 Laboratory hours

Instruction in small farming techniques with emphasis on horticulture science including comprehensive and profitable guidelines. Topics include herbs, fruits, nut, and vegetable crops.

Course Prerequisite(s):

None

Required or Recommended Course Materials

Reading assignments will be provided on Canvas.

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

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

1. Identify major physical and biological factors that affect crops

2. Utilize innovative production techniques for a small farming operation

3. Demonstrate creative marketing techniques for small farming operations

4. Design productive and profitable small farming operations

Last Day to Withdraw

November 9, 2017

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)

Class 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.

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.

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

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.

Class Policies

Tardiness and Attendance

Three instances of tardiness (entering class late) will constitute one absence.  Three absences will drop your final grade by one letter.

Email Address:

Having an email address is mandatory for this class.  The college provides one free of charge and provides students with computer labs.  I will periodically email you important notices, so be sure to check your email before coming to class.

Class Handouts:

Printouts of notes will not be distributed in class.  Lecture notes, handouts, and other class information will be posted within CANVAS and can be printed or downloaded to supplement your learning experience.  Check CANVAS frequently for information.

Grade and Attendance Records:

All grades and attendance 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.

Late Work:

Late work will not be accepted for any reason. If you cannot make it to the class in which the assignment is due, you must bring the assignment to me early or send it by someone else prior to or during the class.

Missing Exams:

If you are going to miss a lecture test, I must be notified prior to the exam.  If a lecture test is missed with a valid excuse, a point penalty may still be assessed depending on the individual situation.  A make-up test should be scheduled within 24 hours. If a lecture test is missed without prior notification or a valid excuse, an automatic zero will be assigned.

Tobacco Products:

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

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 VP of Instruction for disciplinary action.

Dress:

We will be working in the lab room and outside.  Wear old shoes and clothes that you don’t mind getting dirty, stained or bleached. Closed toe shoes will be required in the horticultural grounds. I keep a supply of gloves in the lab room, but you may bring your own if you’d like.  Also note that students may occasionally use chemicals such as fertilizers, insecticides, bleach, etc.

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 rhparker@nctc.edu, or send me a note in the mail to the following address:  NCTC, ATTN: Rebecca Parker, 1525 West California Street, Gainesville, TX 76240.

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.  Students should wear gloves when gardening or working in soil or sand, as it may have been used by neighborhood cats and contain cat feces. Â  Any foodstuffs from the garden (fruits, vegetables, herbs, etc.) should be washed thoroughly before ingestion.  Gloves and various safety gear is always provided for students. .

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.

Grading Policy & Procedures

Assignment Point Values

100 points  Class and Lab Participation

100 points  Fieldtrips

300 points  Exams (2 at 150 points)

100 points  Internships

150 points  Small Farms Project Resource Inventory, Paper and Presentation

100 points  Quizzes

850 points TOTAL

Grading Scale:

750-850 points = A 650-749 points = B 550-649 points = C 450-549 points = D Fewer than 449 points = F

Course Evaluation Descriptions

Class Participation

Participation is a very important component of your learning experience.  This is a class in which students learn from each other as well as by participating in hands-on projects. 

Fieldtrips

We will be going on fieldtrips this semester.  Students are expected to attend these fieldtrips, take notes and show up on time for departure. Those that do not show up at the assigned time will be left. Questions about the fieldtrips will be included on the Crop Quizzes and Exams.

Internships

Two internship classes will be a part of the semester course expectations. On the internship weeks, no lecture class will be held. Students will choose a 4 hour time span on those weeks from Monday – Sunday that they will work at a predetermined internship site. The intern site must be approved by the instructor. Each student will be expected to have a course sheet filled out and returned to class the following week

Exams

We will have 2 exams this semester at 150 points each for a total of 300 points.  Exams will be in the form of essay, multiple choice, true/false, and/or short answer.

Resource Inventory

A Resource Inventory consists of a compilation of natural resources, human resources, equipment resources, crop/animal resources and financial resources. This collection of worksheets, maps and other information will be turned in on the student’s small farms project choice.

Small Farms Project and Presentation

Each student will create a comprehensive Small Farms Plan and present it to the class at the send of the semester. A written plan will also be turned in.

Quizzes

 Throughout the course of this semester, students will be given 7 quizzes, for a total of 100 points. The information covered in these quizzes is cumulative.

Tentative Calendar

Week & Date

Topic

Week 1

August 30

§ Class Set-up:  Introductions, Syllabus, Semester paperwork

§ Lecture:  Overview of Small Farming and definitions.

Introduction to a Small Farms Resource Inventory

§ Lab:  Small Farms Project discussion as individuals and groups.

§ Small Farms: Small Farms Resource Inventory Assignment. Small Farms Project Sheet Assignment. Soils Reading Assignment.

September 4

§ Labor Day Holiday – College closed

Week 2

September 6

§ Lecture: Continuation of Small Farms Resource Inventory

§ Lab:  Introduction to Soils. Soil Sampling and Report Interpretation.

§ Small Farms:  Agricultural Exemptions.

§ Project Sheet due

Week 3

September 13

§ Quiz 1 – Resource Inventory and Soils

§ Lecture: Guest Lecture – USDA Government Programs

§ Lab:  Computer lab – Soil Survey and Aerial Maps

§ Small Farms: Reading assignment – Soils and Fertility

Week 4

September 20

§ Quiz 2 – Soil Surveys and USDA Programs

§ Lecture:  Soil Qualities

§ Lab:  Identification of Soil types and soil classification. Bring in Individual Soil Samples.

§ Discussion: Soil Survey Discussion. Applications for Individual Projects and USDA Programs

§ Small Farms: Farm Equipment Reading assignment

Week 5

September 27

§ Quiz 3 – Soil Fertility

§ Small Farms Resource Inventory Assignment Due

§ Lecture: Water Quality and Quantity – Considerations for Farming and Livestock

§ Lab:  Water Sampling and Reading Reports. Water Quality Jeapordy!

§ Discussion: Farm Equipment

§ Small Farms:  Introduction to Irrigation. Reading Assignment on Irrigation Systems

Tentative Calendar, continued

Week 6

October 4

§ Fieldtrip : Gainesville Farm Machinery Dealer

§ Quiz 4 – Water Quality and Quantity; Irrigation

§ Small Farms: Review for Exam I

§ Discussion: Field trip, Water Quality and Quantity reading assignment

Week 7

October 11

§ No Class

§ Internship Week

Week & Date

Topic

Week 8

October 18

§ Exam I

§ Fieldtrip: Vegetable Production Farm, Greenhouse Facility

§ Discussion: Internship Week

§ Small Farms: Reading assignment – Commercial Vegetable Production

Week 9

October 25

§ Lecture:  Vegetable and Herb Production. Greenhouse Production

§ Lab:  Propagation from seed and cuttings

§ Discussion: Equipment and Calibration, Beef Cattle Production. Sheep/Goat Production. Horse Production.

Week 10

November 1

§ Quiz 5 – Vegetable and Herb Production

§ Lecture: Introduction to Livestock Production.

§ Field trip: Livestock Production in Diversified Operation.

§ Small Farms: Reading Assignment – Hay/Forage Production

Week 11

November 8

§ No Class

§ Internship Week

§ Small Farms: Reading Assignment – Fruit, Nut and Berry Production

November 9

§ Last day to drop classes and receive a “W”

Week 12

November 15

§ Quiz 6 – Livestock Production

§ Lecture: Fruit, Nut and Berry Production

§ Small Farms: Presentation, Discussion & Reading Assignment – Business Management and Profitability

Week 13

November 22-25

§ Thanksgiving Holiday

Week 14

November 29

§ Quiz 7 – Fruit, Nut and Berry Production

§ Fieldtrip: Fruit/But/Berry Operation

§ Presentations: Student Presentations of Small Farms Projects 

§ Small Farms:  Canning and Preserving

Week 15

December 6

§ Quiz 8 – Budding and Grafting

§ Lecture: Small Farms Incentives, Opportunities for Funding and Important Contacts

§ Presentations: Student Presentations of Small Farms Projects 

§ Small Farms:  Review for Exam II. Complete Online Semester Evaluations.

Week 16

December 13

§ Exam II (non-cumulative)