CONS 305: Introduction to Sustainable Agriculture - Fall 2014
Instructor: Dr. Joel Gruver
Office: Knoblauch Hall 302
Office hours: M,W 10-11, Th 10-12
Phone: (309) 298 1215
E-mail: j-gruver@wiu.edu
Class meeting time and location: 1- 1:50 Knoblauch Hall 152
Course description: This course will begin with an exploration of what it means to be ag
literate from the perspective of the ag community and the non-ag public. Next we will
consider major sources of ag statistics and what they tell us about the changing structure
of agriculture. Next we will investigate the industrialization of agriculture with a focus on
mechanization and genetic transformation and unintended consequences such as pest
resistance, declining rural communities and negative effects on human health. The second
half of the course will focus on specific opportunities to improve the sustainability of
agriculture such as conservation agriculture, organic agriculture, management intensive
grazing and local food systems. We will conclude by analyzing 4 challenges to the
sustainability of agriculture: inter-generational transition, global competition for inputs
and markets, climate change and regulations.
Attendance: ATTENDANCE IS A VERY IMPORTANT PART OF THIS CLASS!!!
Interview archive: The IA (https://www.wiu.edu/citr/InterviewArchive) is also a very
important part of this class. Students are expected to use the IA to submit survey and
interview responses and feedback on guest speakers. All IA submissions should be
ORIGINAL and submitted on time!
Personal initiative activities: I will provide a regularly updated list of personal initiative
options but you are also welcome to propose personal initiative activities. Field trips are
personal initiative activities. I am expecting you to use Western Online to submit
documentation for 3 personal initiative activities during the first half of the semester
(before the start of class on Monday 10/19) and 3 more during the second half of the
semester (before 8 am on Monday 12/15).
Readings: Readings from a wide variety of sources will be assigned some weeks. All
readings will be accompanied by questions. Answers should be submitted using Western
Online.
Grading:
Interview archive
Personal initiative activities
Attendance
Reading responses
Take home final exam
Pop quizzes
Grading scale:
A
> 93
A90-93
B+
87-90
B
83-87
B80-83
30%
25%
20%
10%
10%
5%
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C+
C
CD
F
77-80
73-77
70-73
60-70
< 60
Class schedule:
Ag Literacy - What should agriculturalists know about agriculture?
8/25 What is ag literacy?
8/27 Overview of IL, US and global agriculture
8/29 Introduction to interview projects (guest speaker)
Ag Literacy - What should the public know about agriculture?
9/1 No class
9/3 Public perceptions of agriculture
9/5 Ag Advocacy (guest speaker)
The demographics of agriculture
9/8 Ag Stats – Where do they come from and how are they used? (guest speaker)
9/10 The changing structure of American and global agriculture
9/12 Who does the labor in the American food system?
The Mechanical Revolution
9/15 Mechanical revolution part 1
9/17 Mechanical revolution part 2
9/19 Future of ag mechanization (guest speaker)
The Genetic Revolution
9/22 The story of hybrid corn
9/24 GMOs – past, present and future
9/26 GMOs – basic science (guest speaker)
Nature strikes back
9/29 Understanding insecticide resistance
10/1 Understanding antibiotic resistance
10/3 Understanding herbicide resistance (guest speaker)
The Farm Crisis of the 80s
10/6 Farm Crisis Video
10/8 Farm Crisis panel discussion
10/10 no class
Get big or get out
10/13 Consolidation of agribusiness
10/15 BTOs – challenges and opportunities
10/17 Impacts of consolidation on rural communities (panel discussion?)
The US Food System
10/19 Understanding the American food system
10/21 The impact of fast food
10/23 The American Diet (guest speaker)
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Conservation agriculture
10/27 Conservation technology
10/29 Conservation programs (guest speaker)
10/31 Culture of conservation
Management intensive grazing
11/3 Overview of the role of grazing in US and global agriculture
11/5 Ecology of grazing systems
11/7 Profiles of success in management intensive grazing (guest speaker)
Organic agriculture
11/10 Overview of the organic industry
11/12 Science vs. mythology of organic farming
11/14 Profiles of success in organic agriculture (guest speaker)
Local food systems
11/17 Direct marketing
11/19 Agro-tourism
11/21 Urban agriculture
Thanksgiving Break
11/24 – 11/28 no class all week
Inter-generational transitions in agriculture
12/1 Challenges and opportunities associated with inter-generational transition
12/3 New farmer programs
12/5 Inter-generational transitions panel discussion
Future challenges to sustainability
12/8 Global competition for markets and inputs
12/10 Climate change – mitigation and adaptation
12/12 Environmental regulations panel discussion
Final exam week
12/17 – Take home final exam due Wednesday @ 1pm
EXPECTATIONS OF STUDENTS
Participation and timeliness: You are expected to attend class, actively participate in
class discussions and submit assignments on time. ATTENDANCE WILL BE
MONITORED.
Academic integrity: NO CHEATING, PLAGIARISM, OR OTHER VIOLATIONS
OF THE WIU ACADEMIC INTEGRITY POLICY WILL BE TOLERATED.
Please talk to me if you have any questions about the WIU academic integrity policy.
All suspected violations of the WIU academic integrity policy will be addressed promptly
and individually.
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Student rights and responsibilities: Detailed information regarding student rights and
responsibilities can be found at http://www.wiu.edu/provost/student/.
You are responsible for being familiar with your rights and responsibilities.
Special accommodations: If you have special needs, please feel free to discuss them with
me and/or contact Disability Support Services at 298-2512.
Special note for education majors:
Education majors who receive a "C-" or below must retake this course or find a
substitute course to meet School of Agriculture graduation requirements.
9/12/14 jg
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