Organic Farming

Code:

AGR214

Acronym:

AGR214

Keywords
Classification	Keyword
OFICIAL	Agrarian Sciences

Instance: 2013/2014 - 2S

Active?	Yes
Responsible unit:	Department of Geosciences, Environment and Spatial Plannings
Course/CS Responsible:	First Degree in Engineering Sciences

Cycles of Study/Courses

Acronym	No. of Students	Study Plan	Curricular Years	Credits UCN	Credits ECTS	Contact hours	Total Time
L:AST	0	Plano de Estudos a partir de 2008	3	-	5	-
L:B	4	Plano de estudos a partir de 2008	3	-	5	-
L:CC	0	Plano de estudos de 2008 até 2013/14	3	-	5	-
L:F	0	Plano de estudos a partir de 2008	3	-	5	-
L:G	2	P.E - estudantes com 1ª matricula anterior a 09/10	3	-	5	-
		P.E - estudantes com 1ª matricula em 09/10	3	-	5	-
L:M	0	Plano de estudos a partir de 2009	3	-	5	-
L:Q	0	Plano de estudos Oficial	3	-	5	-

Teaching language

Portuguese

Objectives

The purpose and intent of “Organic Farming Unit” is to acquaint students with the principles and practices of sustainable and organic production of crops and the philosophy subjacent to this production system.

Learning outcomes and competences

Student that attempt to UC “Organic farming” will be able to keep a conversation and argue about organic farming. The student will acquire some experience in growing organic vegetables.

Working method

Presencial

Program

1.     Organic food production system Aims and principles. National and European organizations related with organic production. Regulatory organisms How to feed world population The beginning of Organic production Regulation and certification Organic production as an alternative to industrial agriculture The consumer Organic food in Europe policies and lobbies 2. The plants – seeds, plants, propagation and nursery. 3. The soil; the soil as a resource, characterization of a good soil; structure and texture. The soil as a living community. Nitrogen cycle and Carbon cycle. Nutrients (nitrogen, phosphorous, calico, magnesium), the needs for plant and soil Organic matter and humus Fertilization and improving the soil (green manure, mulching, rotation, consociation, minimum tillage, companion plants) and authorized fertilizers. 4. Cultivating in Organic farming Soil preparation for seedling or plantation Soil improving: solarization and biofumigation Soil management Ecological infrastructures Rotation Fertilization Irrigation Pruning Protection Harvest 5. Case study.

Mandatory literature

Coyne Mark S. 1960-; Soil microbiology. ISBN: 0-8273-8434-3
Ferreira Jorge 340; As bases da agricultura biológica. ISBN: 978-972-99697-1-3

Teaching methods and learning activities

Lectures will be face to face or in chat at the moodle platform. Workshops will be at the greenhouse in Vairão. A discussion forum will take place assincronous at moodle platform for 3 weeks. A study visit is scheduled.

Evaluation Type

Distributed evaluation without final exam

Assessment Components

designation	Weight (%)
Defesa pública de dissertação, de relatório de projeto ou estágio, ou de tese	70,00
Participação presencial	20,00
Trabalho escrito	10,00
Total:	100,00

Amount of time allocated to each course unit

designation	Time (hours)
Elaboração de relatório/dissertação/tese	25,00
Estudo autónomo	20,00
Frequência das aulas	66,00
Total:	111,00

Eligibility for exams

Students who does not submitt the essay ABio or does not participate in the forum is excluded.

Calculation formula of final grade

During the semester assignments are proposed and also discussion forum at the moodle platform (report of the seed workshop (Rs), Essay about organic farming (ABio), asynchronous discussion forum about the assays (F), greenhouse activities report (Re) and visit report (Rv). Final classification is calculated by the formula.  CF= 0,1Rs+0,3EBio+0,2F+0,2Re+0,2Rv

Classification improvement

Final mark can be improved at the "recurso" exam