English title:
Conversion to organic agriculture - interdisciplinary project
Course ID:
933330
ECTS credits:
4,0
Title in native language:
Umstellung auf biologische Landwirtschaft - interdisziplinäres Projekt
Umstellung auf biologische Landwirtschaft - interdisziplinäres Projekt
Term Semester:
Spring/Summer
Instruction language(s):
German
Course content:
A) Introductory class to explain the content and to find working groups and choose topics for individual project works (case studies).
B) Discussion between working groups and teachers.
C) Discussions within the project groups.
D) Presentation of results in class.
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Students` tasks:
a) Understanding and discussing processes and dynamics within the soil-plant-system during the conversion period.
CASE STUDIES:
Based on specific case studies students will
* display significant changes in crop rotations, lifestock, production resources/equipment (such as fertilizers, plant protection, machinery, etc.) followed by the conversion (before-after-scenario).
* describe the sustainability of the farm before and after the conversion by means of soil nutrient balances and balances of humus.
* identify weaknesses in the farm's structure and suggest possible methods and possibilities for improvement.
THEORY:
Students have to compile the theoretical basis for the project work in order to
* explain the chosen methods and calculation procedures/ schemes.
* show the theoretical context and background for the displayed issues and problems.
* make a statement concerning the situation of conversion to organic farming in Austria in consideration of the discussed topics within the case studies.
b) Knowing and understanding influential factors and empirical data/ practial experience concerning conversion to organic farming.
Students have to compile important factors for a conversion on the farm level based on literature research for the following topics:
* Hindering and promoting factors for the conversion on the farm level within the current scientific discourse.
* Practical knowledge and experience of conversion procedures.
* Recommendations for consulting concerning a conversion to organic farming.
c) Experience conversion scenarios on the regional scale / in your area.
B) Discussion between working groups and teachers.
C) Discussions within the project groups.
D) Presentation of results in class.
---
Students` tasks:
a) Understanding and discussing processes and dynamics within the soil-plant-system during the conversion period.
CASE STUDIES:
Based on specific case studies students will
* display significant changes in crop rotations, lifestock, production resources/equipment (such as fertilizers, plant protection, machinery, etc.) followed by the conversion (before-after-scenario).
* describe the sustainability of the farm before and after the conversion by means of soil nutrient balances and balances of humus.
* identify weaknesses in the farm's structure and suggest possible methods and possibilities for improvement.
THEORY:
Students have to compile the theoretical basis for the project work in order to
* explain the chosen methods and calculation procedures/ schemes.
* show the theoretical context and background for the displayed issues and problems.
* make a statement concerning the situation of conversion to organic farming in Austria in consideration of the discussed topics within the case studies.
b) Knowing and understanding influential factors and empirical data/ practial experience concerning conversion to organic farming.
Students have to compile important factors for a conversion on the farm level based on literature research for the following topics:
* Hindering and promoting factors for the conversion on the farm level within the current scientific discourse.
* Practical knowledge and experience of conversion procedures.
* Recommendations for consulting concerning a conversion to organic farming.
c) Experience conversion scenarios on the regional scale / in your area.
Expected previous knowledge:
Basic knowledge of organic farming, analysis of economical operations, calculation of balances (humus balance, nitrogen balance/budget, lifestock balance sheets, feed/fodder balances) and of business economics.
Learning outcomes:
The aim of the lecture is to lead students to
* gather further experience in project-oriented work
* research and combine knowledge of different areas of expertise (such as organic agriculture, regional economy, agricultural sociology, environmental psychology, production technique and economics) in order to understand the process of conversion to organic farming.
* acknowledge and understand the connections between obstacles and potentials of the conversion of farms or regions to organic agriculture.
* learn how to properly use different methods of analysis of processes faced by the conversion to organic agriculture (e.g. nutrient balances).
* gather further experience in project-oriented work
* research and combine knowledge of different areas of expertise (such as organic agriculture, regional economy, agricultural sociology, environmental psychology, production technique and economics) in order to understand the process of conversion to organic farming.
* acknowledge and understand the connections between obstacles and potentials of the conversion of farms or regions to organic agriculture.
* learn how to properly use different methods of analysis of processes faced by the conversion to organic agriculture (e.g. nutrient balances).
Exam method:
written (essay) and oral (participation in disussion, presentation of the essay)
Organisation: University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Vienna
Country:
Austria
Acronym:
BOKU
ERASMUS+ code:
A WIEN03
Teaching period summer semester:
22. Feb 2021 - 30. Sep 2021
Teaching period winter semester:
13. Oct 2020 - 21. Feb 2021
University website: