NOTE: This course can count towards either Global Resources and Environment or Culture and Society Thematic Specializations. Please reach out to Emira Ibrahimpasic at eibrahimpasic3@unl.edu for more information.
Although it is a 400/800 listed course, it is really open as well by permission to students at any level who have interest in this issue and would like to learn more about the challenges. The major output will be a case study on a specific issue of personal interest to the student, and hopefully one with which they have prior experience. We use the 'open-ended case approach' which will depend on exploring the internet, making contacts with key people involved in the case, and previous experience in the situation. The goal is 'practical education and involvement for responsible action in the future' so we expect their cases to be published in some manner -- newsletters, letters to editors, regional or national outlets in local language, whatever is appropriate to reach decision makers and opinion leaders. We have already had exciting cases in Kampuchea, Tanzania, Colombia, Philippines, Egypt, Nicaragua and others.
The course will be taught by Professor Charles A. Francis
Area of Focus: Agronomy, Crop Rotations, and Farming Systems
Research Interests: Design of resource efficient cropping systems, long-term rotations and cover crops, spatially diverse field designs, integrated crop/animal systems, whole farm planning and watershed design for environmentally sound production systems; on-farm and participatory research and educational activities, collaborative research design; future farming systems, role of diversity and integrated resource management, value added enterprises and products, and relationships of small and moderate-scale family farms to viable rural communities.
Extension Interests: Crop rotations, design of resource efficient crop, animal, and agroforestry systems, sustainable practices and farming systems in watershed design, value-added enterprises and products, organic farming and gardening, integration of farming with community viability, participatory on-farm research and education programs, regional professional development program in North Central Region.
Major Project Activities: Education and research in long-term crop rotations, analysis of flexible rotation systems, crop/animal integration, whole-farm and landscape analysis and design, on-farm research design and interpretation, urbanization of rural landscapes, farming at the rural/urban interface, small and large-scale land control changes (land grabs), innovative and participatory learning environments, and research in experiential learning.