Evergreen Ecological Agriculture Program Sustainable Agriculture Program
CELL (Organic Farm)
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 2004 Course Description
This program will provide students with direct experience in the practices of sustainable agriculture. There will be weekly lectures, occasional field trips and an emphasis on practical skill development in intensive food production at the Organic Farm.  Students can expect instruction in soils, plant propagation, greenhouse management, composting, green manures, the use of animal manures, equipment operation, small farm economics, pest control, livestock management, weed control strategies, irrigation system design and management, basic horticulture, machinery maintenance, vegetable and small fruit culture, marketing, orchard systems and more. 

Students wishing to apply for this program must  fill out and return a short program questionnaire by March 3, 2004. The goal of the questionnaire is to assess motivation, maturity, communication skills and background in environmental studies. Students can meet with Melissa Barker, the current faculty/farm manager, at the winter quarter Academic Fair (March 3, 4-6pm) to sign up for an interview. Interviews will be conducted on March 4 and 5. You will be notified by e-mail or phone regarding your acceptance into the program by Monday, March 8 (this is in time for registration).

The criteria used for admission into the program includes:
Your preparation and future aspirations in agriculture, your ability to work within a group setting, and the results of your faculty interview.

Credit Options and Info


The Sustainable Agriculture three quarter long program which adheres to an agricultural calendar as opposed to an academic calendar.  Hence the program begins in the spring quarter and continues through the fall of the following academic year.  The program always reaches full enrollment in the spring with a waiting list of students seeking entry.  There are often one or two spaces available at the beginning of summer quarter and no space available in the fall.

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For your information
Maintained By: shawntel
E-mail: stasha19@evergreeen.edu
Last modified: 2-24-04
Madeby: Margaret Hauptman 2001
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  • The program is appropriate for students interested in careers agriculture, natural resource management and outdoor and environmental education. 
  • The course is interdisciplinary in that we cover natural sciences, government policy issues, rural sociology, economics and land use planning.
  • There is a substantial writing component to this program. Students are required to write daily entries in a journal which includes responses to lectures, reading and workshops, papers on seminar books and records of developments in the farm fields.  There is also one research paper and presentation per quarter required.  The journal & paper are the main criteria for evaluation of the academic component of the program.
  • Half of the required class time is spent in the field.  This portion of the program requires a student to be disciplined, observant and motivated.  Hence a major prerequisite for this course is a junior or senior standing in the college.

    • There will be a significant  number of field trips and guest speakers. This aspect of the program brings a diversity of viewpoints and experiences making it virtually  impossible not to widen students horizons.