- AG 108A Exploring Consciousness in Agriculture
An overview of the certificate program and inner development. This course introduces students to the Science and Technology of Consciousness and Maharishi’s teachings with an emphasis on the relationship between the development of consciousness and the success of regenerative organic farmers. This course examines how creative intelligence displayed in every grain of creation arises in a systematic and sequential fashion from within that one basic universal field, along with establishing the importance of inner sustainability as a foundational element of outward prosperity. Students will learn the fundamental practice of transcendental meditation to access and utilize that universal field of intelligence to bring fulfillment to their own lives and to life on earth.
- AG 200 Introduction to Regenerative & Organic Farming Systems
This course acts as an introduction to the principles and practices that guide regenerative and organic farming systems with special consideration for the scientific reasoning and sociocultural justification behind their adoption. Students will explore foundational concepts in agronomy, ecology, and economic development to better understand the ecological and socioeconomic implications of different agricultural systems while further emphasizing the certification standards followed by regenerative and organic farmers. This course will culminate with students learning how to select and survey a site to be used for their portfolio project.
- AG 261 Soil Regeneration & Water Conservation
This course provides an in-depth understanding of how to analyze, interpret, design, and manage soil and water systems for a regenerative landscape. Students will begin with learning the physical, chemical, and biological properties that determine soil and water quality and further explore different strategies and techniques that can be used to increase organic matter, build soil fertility, and improve the efficient use of water resources throughout your farm. Students will then apply what they’ve learned to develop a design and management strategy for their site that best responds to the unique conditions of their soil and water resources.
- AG 262 Horticulture Science & Plant Systems Design
This course provides practical knowledge in plant sciences while emphasizing a holistic approach to plant care that utilizes organic practices to optimize crop vitality. Students will develop a foundational understanding of plant physiology, anatomy, pathology, and preferred propagation with special consideration for vegetable and tree crops commonly used in farming systems. Upon the establishment of this foundational knowledge, students will learn design principles used in market gardening and agroforestry to create cropping systems that are diverse, productive, and require less maintenance over time. At the end of this course, students will work to apply these concepts to design a plant system for their site’s capstone project.
- AG 263 Animal Husbandry
This course provides students with a conceptual framework for animal husbandry with an emphasis on holistic management that includes a basic assessment of cattle, sheep, goats, pigs, poultry, and bees as integral members of the farm landscape. Students will learn basic strategies for optimizing animal welfare that pays special attention to shelter requirements, feed preferences, and community standards while working to apply these concepts in the design and management of their own livestock system as a part of their capstone project.
- AG 264 Organic Mushroom Cultivation
This course introduces basic concepts in fungal ecophysiology with an emphasis on the stages of cultivation involved in both indoor and outdoor mushroom farming. Students will begin with learning the basics of fungal anatomy and physiology in order to better understand how these scientific principles can be applied to ensure successful strategies for growing mushrooms. This course will culminate in students developing a plan for the design and management of their own mushroom cultivation system as a part of their capstone project.
- AG 265 Farm Planning & Business Management
This course acts as the culmination of the learning experience in the certification program and includes an introduction to business concepts that can be utilized and applied to ensure economic viability as an integral part of your farm plan. Students will learn foundational concepts in marketing, operations, and finance with an emphasis on how to apply these principles to their specific capstone project. This course will finish with students creating a final comprehensive capstone project that includes a full site analysis and explains their proposed strategies for the design and management of their own regenerative, organic agricultural enterprise.