12/26/2024 9:30:40 PM	SUSAG 153 Course Outline as of Fall 2014	New Course (First Version)
CATALOG INFORMATION
Discipline and Nbr:  SUSAG 153	Title:  CSA
Full Title:  Community Supported Agriculture
Last Reviewed:2/8/2021

Units		Course Hours per Week			Nbr of Weeks	Course Hours Total
Maximum	3.00	Lecture Scheduled	3.00		17.5 max.	Lecture Scheduled	52.50
Minimum	3.00	Lab Scheduled	.50		10 min.	Lab Scheduled	8.75
		Contact DHR	0			Contact DHR	0
		Contact Total	3.50			Contact Total	61.25
		Non-contact DHR	0			Non-contact DHR Total	0

Total Out of Class Hours:  105.00

Total Student Learning Hours: 166.25

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: 

Catalog Description:

This course will address aspects of fall crop management, production, and marketing as it relates to the development and operations of a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) farm model. Students will gain hands-on experience of operating a CSA through direct participation in the Shone Farm CSA.

Prerequisites/Corequisites:

Recommended Preparation:

Limits on Enrollment:

Schedule of Classes Information
Description:

This course will address aspects of fall crop management, production, and marketing as it relates to the development and operations of a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) farm model. Students will gain hands-on experience of operating a CSA through direct participation in the Shone Farm CSA.

(Grade or P/NP)
Prerequisites:
Recommended:
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

Student Learning Outcomes:
At the conclusion of this course, the student should be able to:

1.  Analyze the CSA model for operational efficiency.

2.  Demonstrate harvesting, packaging, and storage methods and techniques appropriate to in-season crops.

3.  Identify and develop potential markets in the community.

 

Objectives:

Upon completion of the course, students will be able to:

1.  Identify field management techniques necessary to bring a crop to full production.

2.  Build and strengthen skills in harvesting, packaging, and postharvest techniques of in-season crops.

3.  Consult with area CSA operations to analyze operating strengths and weaknesses.

4.  Demonstrate final harvest methods of in-season crops.

5.  Discuss various crop rotation and planning needs for seasonal progression of crops.

6.  Effectively communicate farm updates to CSA customers through weekly newsletters.

7.  Analyze final accounting of revenues from crop production and suggest areas for improvement.

Topics and Scope

1.  Overview of CSA

    a.  History of CSA

    b.  Shone Farm CSA

    c.  CSA models

2.  Regulatory requirements of a CSA

    a.  Food Safety requirements

    b.  County and State permitting requirements

3.  CSA infrastructure

     a.  Packhouse design

    b.  Box storage and delivery options

    c.  Pricing and billing structures

4.  Review of processes necessary to bring CSA crop to necessary production levels

   a.  Supplies and equipment necessary for CSA operations

   b.  Seasonal planning considerations to meet CSA crop demand

   c.  Weekly planning and forecasting

    d.  Overview of seasonal crop rotation procedures appropriate to the CSA model

5.  Demonstration of various crop harvesting techniques

    a.  Crop specific harvest methods

    b.  Appropriate use of specific harvesting tools

6.  Demonstration of various crop postharvest and packing techniques

    a.  Crop specific postharvest requirements

    b.  Crop specific preparation and packing requirements

7.  Maintaining customer relations

     a.  Weekly newsletters

     b.  On-farm events and/or promotions

8.  Review of the overall effectiveness of the CSA operation

     a. Crop production      

     b. Marketing

    c. Financial viability

Assignments:

1.  Keep semester journals

2.  Apply for a Food Handlers Certification

3.  Submit analysis of a local CSA operation

4.  Maintain weekly newsletter

5.  Mid-terms and final

6.  Participation in farm stand

7.  Harvest, postharvest handling, packing skills activities and demonstrations

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 30 - 45%
Semester journals, CSA analysis, weekly newsletter
Problem solving: Assessment tools, other than exams, that demonstrate competence in computational or non-computational problem solving skills.		Problem Solving 10 - 25%
CSA analysis, Food Handlers Certification exercises
Skill Demonstrations: All skill-based and physical demonstrations used for assessment purposes including skill performance exams.		Skill Demonstrations 20 - 35%
Harvest, postharvest handling, packing skills demonstrations.
Exams: All forms of formal testing, other than skill performance exams.		Exams 20 - 30%
Written exams; quizzes, 2 mid-terms and 1 final
Other: Includes any assessment tools that do not logically fit into the above categories.		Other Category 5 - 10%
Participate in at least two farm stands

Representative Textbooks and Materials:

Instructor prepared materials; web-based reading materials.

Print PDF