SRJC Course Outlines

3/28/2024 1:18:30 PMVIT 111 Course Outline as of Spring 2010

Terminated Course
CATALOG INFORMATION

Discipline and Nbr:  VIT 111Title:  ORGANIC VITICULTURE  
Full Title:  Organic Viticulture
Last Reviewed:4/19/2004

UnitsCourse Hours per Week Nbr of WeeksCourse Hours Total
Maximum3.00Lecture Scheduled3.0017.5 max.Lecture Scheduled52.50
Minimum3.00Lab Scheduled09 min.Lab Scheduled0
 Contact DHR0 Contact DHR0
 Contact Total3.00 Contact Total52.50
 
 Non-contact DHR0 Non-contact DHR Total0

 Total Out of Class Hours:  105.00Total Student Learning Hours: 157.50 

Title 5 Category:  AA Degree Applicable
Grading:  Grade or P/NP
Repeatability:  00 - Two Repeats if Grade was D, F, NC, or NP
Also Listed As: 
Formerly:  AG 122

Catalog Description:
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Introduction to professional organic wine grape production with ecological production methods. Theory and practice with an emphasis on regional growing conditions. Includes appropriate stock, planting, maintenance, soil fertility, biodiversity, and ecological pest management. Survey of economic outlook.

Prerequisites/Corequisites:


Recommended Preparation:
Eligibility for ENGL 100 or ESL 100

Limits on Enrollment:

Schedule of Classes Information
Description: Untitled document
Introduction to professional organic wine grape production and ecological production methods. Theory and practice with an emphasis on regional growing conditions. Includes appropriate stock, planting, maintenance, soil fertility, biodiversity, and ecological pest management. Survey of economic outlook.
(Grade or P/NP)

Prerequisites:
Recommended:Eligibility for ENGL 100 or ESL 100
Limits on Enrollment:
Transfer Credit:
Repeatability:00 - Two Repeats if Grade was D, F, NC, or NP

ARTICULATION, MAJOR, and CERTIFICATION INFORMATION

Associate Degree:Effective:Inactive:
 Area:
 
CSU GE:Transfer Area Effective:Inactive:
 
IGETC:Transfer Area Effective:Inactive:
 
CSU Transfer:Effective:Inactive:
 
UC Transfer:Effective:Inactive:
 
C-ID:

Certificate/Major Applicable: Both Certificate and Major Applicable



COURSE CONTENT

Outcomes and Objectives:
At the conclusion of this course, the student should be able to:
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After completion of the class the student will be able to:
1.   Accurately define and discuss ecological wine production in terms of
    purpose, principles and applied techniques.
2.   Correctly identify primary criteria for a successful ecological grape
    vine operation.
3.   Successfully analyze strengths and weaknesses of ecological
    production in terms of yield, pest resistance and economic viability.
4.   Analyze and discuss the economic outlook for ecological production in
    our region.
5.   State and discuss key criteria in choosing land for ecological grape
    production.
6.   Define and discuss soil fertility in terms of grape vine growth.
7.   Distinguish the role of macro and micronutrients.
8.   Define and discuss the role of microorganisms.
9.   Analyze the importance of nutrient availability in ecological grape
    production.
10.  Distinguish, compare and contrast the various kinds of fertility
    programs.
11.  Define the components of a healthy soil and discuss methods to
    achieve it.
12.  List and describe criteria for an optimal ecological fertility
    program in our region.
13.  Define and discuss soil bio-diversity both above and below vineyard
    soil.
14.  Define and discuss the role of composting for grape production.
15.  Define the three major kinds of composting and their methods of
    production.
16.  Discuss vine nutrient needs, and how soil provides these nutrients.
17.  Assess the needs and timing of compost applications for wine grapes.
18.  Define and discuss the role of mulching.
19.  List and analyze various kinds of mulch.
20.  Define and discuss the role of cover crops.
21.  Discuss the benefits of cover cropping.
22.  Discuss methods of cover crop maintenance and tillage, and evaluate
    each.
23.  Discuss various tillage techniques and their role in soil building.
24.  List and analyze various common weed control methods.
25.  Describe and discuss the negative impact of poorly managed weed
    control.
26.  Define, discuss and analyze the role of foliar sprays in
    fertilization and pest management.
27.  Define and discuss ecological pest management.
28.  List and describe five major foliar sprays commonly used in
    ecological production.
29.  Define Integrated Pest Management.
30.  Discuss simple steps to take to increase beneficial insect
    populations.
31.  Describe and discuss the career outlook in ecological wine and table
    grape production.
32.  Identify and discuss pros and cons of the long-term economic outlook
    of organic/ecologically produced grapes.

Topics and Scope
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1.  Introduction to Organic Viticulture
   a.  History of organic viticulture regionally and worldwide
   b.  Focus of organic agriculture, their similarities and differences
   c.  History of organic agriculture
   d.  Ecological farming systems theory
   e.  Traditional systems
   f.  Industrial systems
   g.  Organic systems
   h.  Ecological systems
   i.  Comparative analysis
2.  Ecological Systems in the Vineyard
   a.  Locally appropriate production
   b.  Enhanced biodiversity
   c.  Improved soil fertility
   d.  Immunological response capacity
   e.  Ecological pest management
3.  Soil Fertility
   a.  Plant nutrition
   b.  Macronutrients
   c.  Micronutrients
   d.  Role of microorganisms
   e.  Availability of nutrients
4.  Humification
   a.  Humus and the process of humification
   b.  Complex organic compounds
   c.  Natural humification versus composting
   d.  Hot, cold, and warm composting
   e.  Application rates
   f.  Application methods and timing
5.  Economics of Grape Production
   a.  Installation costs
   b.  Maintenance costs
   c.  Other costs
   d.  Yield and pricing
6.  Selecting Vines for Planting
   a.  Vine types
   b.  Planting dates
   c.  Rootstocks
   d.  Clones
   e.  Matching of soil/variety/rootstock/trellis
7.  Seasonal Maintenance
   a.  Mulching
   b.  Cover crops
   c.  Foliar sprays
   d.  Integrated pest management
   e.  Irrigation
   f.  Shade
   g.  Leafing
   h.  Weeding
8.  Pest Control Overview
   a.  Biological control versus chemical control
   b.  Preventative versus acute remediation
   c.  Reduction versus eradication
   d.  Broad spectrum versus targeted
   e.  Least toxic solutions
   f.  Foliar sprays
   g.  Beneficial insects
   h.  Biologicals
   i.  Microbiologicals
9.  Common Diseases of Grapevines and their Management
   a.  Powdery mildew
   b.  Botrytis
10. Vertebrate Pests and their Management
   a.  Gophers
   b.  Deer
   c.  Others
11. Economics and Careers
   a.  Current economic conditions for organic production
   b.  California developments
   c.  Sonoma County
   d.  Career outlook
   e.  Marketing and sales
12. Organic Certification
   a.  State versus federal law
   b.  Certification versus compliance
   c.  Definitions and requirements

Assignments:
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1.  Specific reading assignments from texts and handouts.
2.  Research projects on production related topics.
3.  Internet study assignments.
4.  Vineyard evaluation sheets.

Methods of Evaluation/Basis of Grade.
Writing: Assessment tools that demonstrate writing skill and/or require students to select, organize and explain ideas in writing.Writing
40 - 60%
Written homework, Essay exams, Term papers, Semester project
Problem solving: Assessment tools, other than exams, that demonstrate competence in computational or non-computational problem solving skills.Problem Solving
20 - 40%
Homework problems, Field work, Quizzes, Exams
Skill Demonstrations: All skill-based and physical demonstrations used for assessment purposes including skill performance exams.Skill Demonstrations
0 - 0%
None
Exams: All forms of formal testing, other than skill performance exams.Exams
20 - 40%
Multiple choice, True/false, Completion
Other: Includes any assessment tools that do not logically fit into the above categories.Other Category
0 - 0%
None


Representative Textbooks and Materials:
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SUNLIGHT INTO WINE: by Smart and Robinson (authors)
Wine Titles (Publisher), 1996

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