Introduction to Organic Agriculture

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label Diverse autorenew 2025-09-29, 17:01 history_edu Diana Ignat
If you are concerned about where your food comes from, what's in it (or on it), or simply interested in how organic can contribute to benefit our shared environment, promote fair relationships and a good quality of life for all involved, then this course might be for you.Organic agriculture is a production system that sustains the health of soils, ecosystems and people. It relies on ecological processes, biodiversity and natural cycles adapted to local conditions, rather than the use of chemical inputs with adverse effects.

Hosted at Skillebyholm, a horticultural training centre with a tradition of organic and biodynamic agriculture, this course will give you a chance to experience the joy of working with living, organic soils and crops, as well as understanding the principles and practices behind the method of maintaining them. All course topics will be covered both theoretically and experientially. You will also have an opportunity to meet and interact with local growers and farmers who have dedicated their lives to organic production methods.

The current state of agriculture globally
  • Cost of Organic
  • Current distribution system of food
  • Organic certification-what are the standards
  • Soil science - What is living in the soil?Building healthy soil
  • Different composting techniques
  • Crop rotation
  • Seeds-ownership/ patenting
  • GMO/GE seeds & plants
  • Organic vegetable gardening
  • Natural pest management
  • Nutrient cycles
  • Different land management techniques (eg. Ecological Recycling Agriculture)
The role of animals on a farmManures, and natural fertilizers

*This course will be taught in English

Period
08-07-2013 - 19-07-2013 (2 weeks)

Target group
Future farmers, especially aspiring young farmers, small land holders, anyone interested in organic agriculture/growing and what it could offer the future



Course aim
Bringing together different teachers to give a global picture, this course will be a mixture of theory, experience and hands on practice.This course aims to give participants an understanding of where we are today, and take home skills that they can apply in their respective area's of work and life.

Credits
0.0 ECTS credits

Participants will receive a certificate of completion

Course fee
SEK 6000: Full course fee includes all course materials, during course transport, accommodation between July 7-20 and food on all course days (Monday-Friday)

Course leader
Coordinator: Daniel Hrberg Bjrklund

Scholarships
Unfortunately we cannot offer scholarships, but we encourage students to apply for grants/bursaries in their respective countries

n/a Agriculture, Sustainability
Address: Kulturcentrum Jarna 14 Jarna
Postal code: 15391
City: Jarna
Country: Sweden
Website: http://www.summerofsoil.se/
E-mail: info@summerofsoil.se
Phone: 00460762584028