Overview
The success of this course is only obtainable through comprehensive education programs, training/mentorship opportunities, and instilling a standard of excellence in participants. The Organic farming masterclass will, therefore, intentionally incorporate critical thinking to enhance subject matter understanding and a problem-solving mindset, and it will hone the entrepreneurial skills of the participants as applicable to the organic farming business. Ultimately, the participants will be well-versed and highly trained in producing certified organic vegetables and will be able to market their product for optimum economic return effectively. The course will be divided into three in-depth segments:
The first segment is a comprehensive online course that gives participants the opportunity to acquire the requisite knowledge on agribusiness entrepreneurship with specialization in organic farming practices, principles, and philosophy.
Following the online course is an intensive 6-week hands-on organic vegetable production training program. Here the participants will learn about nursery set-up, irrigation systems, mulching, pest management, fertility management, harvesting, and cultural farming practices. The participants will be fully engaged in the production and management of organic vegetables on our 2-acre training farms.
The third segment is designed to give the participants the opportunity to undergo an internship at established organic farms in Nigeria. These internships will provide the student with both close guidance and mentorship while encouraging independence and freedom to make their own decisions as they move towards becoming a skilled organic farm owner. The internship model designed by Farmwella will promote leadership and decision-making among our graduating students.
How the Masterclass Works
COURSE LENGTH
8 weeks
EFFORT
3-5 hours per week
CLASS SIZE
Under 50 people
HANDS-ON PROJECT
3 Capstone Projects
FORMAT
100% online
MODEL
Instructor-led
Meet The Tutors
Prof. Lynne Carpenter-Boggs
Professor, Washington State University
Dr. Cornelius Adewale
Research Associate, Washington State University
Andy Horgan
Director of Science & Data Management at Farmwella
Sneak Peek Into Organic Farming Masterclass
Section 1
Introduction to Organic Farming
- Organic agriculture definition and principles
- Why organic agriculture?
- Organic agriculture from principles to practices
- To be called organic
Section 2
Seed
- Seed treatment
- Understanding your seed
- Is it worth spending more on quality seeds?
- Seed quality: What to look for
Section 3
Organic Soil Management
- Managing soil physical aspect
- Managing soil biology
- Soil organic matter
- Managing soil chemistry
Section 4
Pest Management
- Integrated Pest Mangement
- Developing an IPM plan
- Stages of Integrated Pest Management implementation
- Understanding IPM
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Agribusiness Masterclass provides an effective and viable means of rapidly regenerating health and fertility in agricultural soils, enabling farmers to operate more productively and profitability without the use of chemical inputs, thus protecting the world’s waterways, insects, and animal populations. Restoring the Soil Food Web in agricultural soils also promotes the capture and sequestration of substantial levels of carbon from the atmosphere by returning it to our soils, providing the potential, if implemented on a global scale, to reduce atmospheric carbon to safe levels as identified by the IPCC.
Prof. Lynne Carpenter-Boggs
Professor of Soil Science, Washington State University
BENEFITS OF THE MASTERCLASS
- Organized questions in a coherent framework
- Guidance on the relevance of topics.
- Guiding students in improving their intellectual and practical skills, as well as their self-confidence and independence.
- Guiding students in improving their intellectual and practical skills, as well as their self-confidence and independence.
- Encouraging students to see connections between classroom learning and the communities where they live, study, and work, as well as to the global community.
GOALS AND OBJECTIVES
The goals of the agribusiness masterclass are to provide information and experience for the participants in the following areas:
- Organic Farming Principles and Certification
- Farm Management and Leadership Skills
- Entrepreneurship
- Budgeting and Financial Stewardship
- Organic Farm Marketing
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