Alternative Farming Models

Course Number:
AG 204
Transcript Title:
Alternative Farming Models
Created:
Nov 03, 2026
Updated:
Nov 03, 2026
Total Credits:
3
Lecture Hours:
22
Lecture / Lab Hours:
0
Lab Hours:
33
Satisfies Cultural Literacy requirement:
No
Satisfies General Education requirement:
No
Grading Options
A-F, P/NP, Audit
Default Grading Options
A-F
Repeats available for credit:
0

Course Description

Examines the social, economic and ecological consequences of modern, industrial agriculture. Investigates viable management techniques to decrease the impacts of climate effects to and from agriculture. Surveys alternative methods to address sustainability, economic and environmental outcomes while increasing yield. Audit available.

Course Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

  1. Identify sustainability concepts and how they relate to culture, agriculture, and the environment from a modern and historical perspective.
  2. Identify the appropriate use of traditional, sustainable and regenerative agricultural methodologies.
  3. Identify technological advances that have the potential to limit environmental impacts on agribusiness.
  4. Evaluate a wide array of alternative agricultural farming models currently in operation, and analyze their merits and shortfalls.
  5. Develop sustainable action plans that address energy and climate related issues in agriculture.

Suggested Outcome Assessment Strategies

The determination of assessment strategies is generally left to the discretion of the instructor. Here are some strategies that you might consider when designing your course: writings (journals, self-reflections, pre-writing exercises, essays), quizzes, tests, midterm and final exams, group projects, presentations (in person, videos, etc.), self-assessments, experimentations, lab reports, peer critiques, responses (to texts, podcasts, videos, films, etc.), student generated questions, Escape Room, interviews, and/or portfolios.

Course Activities and Design

The determination of teaching strategies used in the delivery of outcomes is generally left to the discretion of the instructor. Here are some strategies that you might consider when designing your course: lecture, small group/forum discussion, flipped classroom, dyads, oral presentation, role play, simulation scenarios, group projects, service learning projects, hands-on lab, peer review/workshops, cooperative learning (jigsaw, fishbowl), inquiry based instruction, differentiated instruction (learning centers), graphic organizers, etc.

Course Content

Outcome #1: Identify sustainability concepts and how they relate to culture, agriculture, and the environment from a modern and historical perspective.

  • Agricultural, Industrial and Economic development timeline

    • 1st Agricultural Revolutions and their impacts

      • Domestication of plants and animals

      • Growth of city states

      • Transition from hunter gatherer to sedentary

    • 2nd Agricultural Revolutions and their impacts

      • Mechanization

      • Growth of transportation

      • Refrigeration and packaging

  • Sustainability as a functional component of ecology, economy and industry

    • triple bottom line

    • 1% for the planet

    • blue sign design

    • biomimicry

  • Green Revolution technologies and their application to main agricultural industries of the Columbia Basin

    • Use of pesticides

    • crossbred seeds and synthetic fertilizers

    • increased yields from US

    • Spread worldwide

Outcome #2: Identify the appropriate use of traditional, sustainable and regenerative agricultural methodologies.

  • traditional tribal land management techniques of the Columbia Basin

    • benefits of fish culture

    • hunter gatherer

    • seasonally nomadic

  • Concepts of zero waste, net zero energy, steady state economics in agricultural systems

  • Difference between sustainable and regenerative

    • Remaining static vs. capacity for growth

Outcome #3: Identify technological advances that have the potential to limit environmental impacts on agribusiness.

  • Solar systems for fencing, pumping and lighting.

    • panels, charge controllers, batteries, inverters and 12-volt direct use

  • Electric vs. fossil fuel motors in agriculture

    • maintenance costs, noise, lifespan, torque, tax credits

  • Pros/cons of no-till systems

  • Pros/cons of precision irrigation and water sensors

    • cost of the system vs water savings over time

    • environmental benefits

Outcome #4: Evaluate a wide array of alternative agricultural farming models currently in operation, and analyze their merits and shortfalls.

  • Regenerative ag

  • agroecology

  • Agrovoltaics,

  • Community Supported Agriculture (CSA)

  • permaculture

  • certified organic

  • Holistic Range Management

  • Aquaculture,

  • Green Cities of the Future

Outcome #5: Develop sustainable action plans that address energy and climate related issues in agriculture.

  • Designing an Action Plan

    • Problem statement

    • Research current models

      • Gather data (soil, climate, economic)

      • Interview local pioneers of alternative and historic methodologies

    • Solution options

      • Prepare 2 or 3 options

      • Include pro/cons for each

    • Recommendation / conclusion

      • Describe process for decision making

      • Recommendation choice and why

        • Economic sustainability

        • Environmental sustainability

        • Positive integration into local culture

    • Implementation plan

      • Timeline

      • Actions

      • Inclusion of local contracts/contractors

      • Costs / budget

Suggested Texts and Materials

Use of listed Texts/Materials is not required unless so noted.