HORT 792 Urban Food Production Practicum Manual · HORT 792 - Urban Food Production Practicum (1...

HORT792UrbanFoodProductionPracticum

Manual

KansasStateUniversity

DepartmentofHorticultureandNaturalResources

(UpdatedAugust2016)

TableofContents

Introduction……………………………………………………………………………………………………………1

TheProcessofthePracticumCourse………………………………………………………………………2

PracticumLearningObjectives………………………………………………………………………………..3

PracticumSiteSelection…………………………………………………………………………………………..7

ParticipantRolesandResponsibilities………………………………………………………………….…8

SelectionofPracticumSite(s)………………….……………………………………………………………..10

StudentCompetencyLearningPlan…………………………………………………………….………….11

DocumentingLearningStrategiesandActivities…………………………………….………………14

PracticumPortfolioRequirements………………………………………………………………………….15

AppendixA:StudentSelf-AssessmentForm…………..…………………….……….…………………16

AppendixB:DocumentationfortheSiteSupervisor…………………………….….………………17

AppendixC:DocumentationforthePracticumAdvisor……………………….….………………18

TheUrbanFoodSystemsSpecializationatKansasStateUniversityhasestablishedthismanualtoexplaintherequirementsandobjectivesofthePracticuminUrbanFoodProduction.Itisintendedforuseasahandbookforstudentsenrolledinthepracticumaswellaspracticumadvisorsandsitesupervisorswhereapracticumlearningactivitymaytakeplace.ThePracticumexperienceisanopportunityforstudent’stodemonstratetheirknowledgeandskillsandtheirreadinessforfutureendeavorsinurbanagriculture/production.Thestudentissupportedinthisexperiencebytheleadershipoftheirpracticumadvisor(usuallytheirmajorprofessor).UrbanFoodSystemsProgramMissionStatementThemissionoftheUrbanFoodSystemsProgramatKansasStateUniversityistopreparestudentstoworkasprofessionalsinpositionssuchasdirector/programmanagersinnot-for-profitorganizations,citygovernmentsorextensionprogramsinurbandistrictsfacilitatingcommunitygardens,urbanfarming,farmersmarkets,orfarm-to-schoolprograms.UrbanFoodSystemsProgramGoalsUponcompletingtheUrbanFoodSystemsspecializationstudentswill

• Haveproficiencyandcompetencyinurbanfoodcropproduction• Understandtheurbanenvironmentanditscultural,political,environmental,and

economicrolesinurbanfoodsystems• Havegrantwriting,fundraising,andnon-profitmanagementknowledgeandskills• Havecommunityorganizingand/orbusinessdevelopmentskills

HORT792-UrbanFoodProductionPracticum(1cr)Studentswillcompleteahands-onpracticuminanapprovedurbanagriculturesettingtogainexposuretoabroadrangeoftasksfacingtheurbanfarmer.Thisincludesplanning,productionandmarketingofcropsindiversegrowingenvironmentsand/orsystems.

Rec.Pr.:HORT520andHORT560.

WhenOffered:Fall,Spring,Summer

TheProcessofthePracticumCourseTheexpectationoftheUFSfacultyisthattherequirementsofthepracticumcoursewillbeaccomplishedthroughoutthestudent’stimeintheUFSprogram.However,undercertainconditionsandwiththeapprovalofyourpracticumadvisor,thecoursemaybetakenoverthecourseoftwoacademicsemesters.Itisnotrecommendedtotryandaccomplishtheentirecourseduringonesemester,particularlysinceproductionpracticeswillvaryseasonally.Studentswillneedtoplanaheadinordertoscheduleactivitiesattimesthataresuitabletothegrowingseasonaswellasthepracticumsite.Foodproductionisadifficulttaskthattakesnumerousindividualskills.Duringthepracticum,eachstudentisrequiredtocompletehands-onlearningactivitiesinordertodevelopskillswithin12ofthe25learningobjectivesoutlinedinthenextsection.However,thestudentisfirstrequiredtodoaself-assessmentoftheskillstheycurrentlyhave.Studentswillsubmitcompletedpracticumportfoliosdocumentingtheirexperienceandachievementofatleast12competencies.Anevaluationcompletedbythepracticumsupervisormustalsobesubmitted.ForatypicalM.S.studentthatisseekingathesis,thetimelineshouldlooksomethinglikethis:1. Performpracticumself-assessmentearlyduringfirstsemester.2. DuringyourfirstsemesterasaUFSstudent,filloutthe“CompetencyLearningPlan”

sheets(pg.11ofthisdocument).Discusstheobjectivesyouplantocompletewithyourpracticumadvisoraswellasthesitesupervisor(s).

3. PresentyourCompetencyLearningPlantotheUFSCohortbytheendofyourfirstsemester(scheduledmeetingsduringHORT796willfacilitatethis).

4. Duringsemesterstwoandthreeyoushouldbeworkingonyourhands-onactivitiesinordertoaccomplishyourplannedlearningobjectives.Eachcompetencywillrequireatleast16hoursofhands-onexperience.

5. EnrollinHORT792inthesemesteryouplantocompletethepracticumrequirements.6. CompletePracticumPortfolioandpresentyourexperiencetotheUFSCohort(similarto

above,meetingswillbepre-scheduledduringHORT796tofacilitate).

PracticumLearningObjectivesInordertoaccomplishthegoalsoftheUFSprogram,studentswillneedtogainhands-onexperiencewithbasicurban(andperi-urban)practicesthatleadtoagriculturalproductionskills.Thegoalofthepracticumisthatstudentswillbeabletoindependentlyandconscientiouslyperformmanyofthetasksrequiredtosetupandrunorsuperviseanurbanfoodproductionsiteincluding;accessingland,siteassessment,soiltesting,designandcroprotation,productionplanning,plantingandcropmaintenance,pestcontrol,harvestandpostharvesthandling,marketing,andrecordkeeping. Uponcompletionofthepracticumatoneormoreurban(orperi-urban)farms,studentswillneedtodocumentincreasedknowledgeinatleast12competenciesfrom12oftheLearningObjectiveslistedbelow.EachstudentwillpresenttheirplannedlearningobjectivesandcompetenciesbytheendoftheirfirstsemesterasaUFSstudent.1. LandAccessandEvaluation:availability,slope,cost,neighborhood,soiltype,history,

security,probabilityofcontaminationfromprioruse.Studentswillknowhowtogainaccesstolandaswellasevaluatethequalityandsuitabilityofavailablesitesforspecifictypesofurbangardens/farms.

2. UrbanFarmandGardenDesign:bedlayout,pathways,surfacesanddrainageissues,

containergardening,farmscaping,appropriateuseofother“hardscaping”materials.Studentswilldesignagardenfrominceptionforadesignatedsiteincorporatingalloftheconceptslistedabove.

3. FarmandGardenInfrastructure:Greenhouses,hightunnelsandothergrowing

structures(e.g.shadehouses),irrigationsysteminfrastructure,dryandcoldstorage,postharvesthandlingfacilities,educationalfacilitiesandinterpretativeareas.

Studentswilldesign,construct,andmaintainfarmandgardeninfrastructure.

4. SoilandNutrientManagement:soiltestingandrecommendations,amendments,covercrops,fertigationandotherfertilizers,pesticideandheavymetalresiduemitigation.

Studentswillsubmitasoiltestandbeabletointerpretthetestresults,andhowtoapplyamendmentsorperformremediationifneeded.Studentswillevaluateandmanagesoilsandcropfertility.

5. PlantPropagation:vegetableandfruitplantpropagationmethods,seed-saving,vegetativepropagationsystems,grafting,propagulestoragemethods,heirloom/hybrid/GMOdifferences,sourcing.

Studentswillpracticeavarietyofvegetableand/orfruitplantpropagationmethods.6. ProductionPlanning:croprotation,wholefarmplanning,cropproductionplanning,

marketforecasting,greenhouseandtransplantproductionplanning,laborforecasting.Studentswillplanaportionofthefarmingoperationincludingwhensupplies,labor,andoutputswillbeprovidedfromthefarm.

7. Irrigation:sourcing,watertesting,quantity,quality,distributionsystems,methodsof

application(driptape,driphose,overhead,handwatering),access,rainbarrelsandothercatchmentsystems.

Studentswilldesignawateringsystem,performwatertests,andunderstandhowtooperateandmaintainanirrigationsystem.

8. HandTools:forplanting,tillage,weedmanagement,harvesting,etc.,tooldesignand

safety/kinesiology,maintenance,appropriatetoolsforsizeofplot/garden/farm,etc.Studentswillbecomefamiliarwithawidevarietyofhandtools,haveachancetousethem,havealistofresourcesforobtainingtools,andunderstandprosandconsofcontrastingtoolsandmethods.

9. EquipmentOperationandDesign:smallequipment,walk-behindtractors,conventionaltractors,implements,excavationequipment,andequipmentdesign.

Studentswillbeabletooperateequipmentrangingfromsmall-scaleequipment(e.g.tillersandmowers)totractorsandotherequipmentaswellasthesafeandproperuseofsaidequipmentandimplements/attachments.

10. Warm-SeasonVegetableCrops:beans,cucumbers,cantaloupe,eggplant,gourds,peppers,pumpkins,sweetpotatoes,tomatoes,andotherwarm-seasoncrops.

Studentswillbecompetentontheproductionpracticesofvariouswarm-seasoncrops(toincludeplantingschedules,plantingdates,seedsvs.transplant,harvestintervals,weedcontroloptions,etc.).

11. Cool-SeasonVegetableCrops:beets,broccoli,cabbage,cauliflower,garlic,kale,

lettuce,onion,potato,radishes,spinach,andothercool-seasoncrops.Studentswillbecompetentontheproductionpracticesofvariouscool-seasoncrops(toincludeplantingschedules,plantingdates,seedsvs.transplant,harvestintervals,weedcontroloptions,etc.).

12. PerennialHerbaceousCrops:asparagus,herbsandotherspecialtyculinarycrops,rhubarb,etc.

Studentswillbecompetentontheproductionpracticesofvariousherbaceousperennialcrops(toincludeplantingschedules,plantingdates,seedsvs.transplant,harvestintervals,weedcontroloptions,etc.).

13. FruitCrops:treefruit,brambles,strawberries,specialtyfruit(e.g.elderberries,

gooseberries,currants,etc.)andotherfruitcrops.Studentswillbecompetentontheproductionpracticesofvariousfruitcrops(toincludeappropriateplantingdatesandmethods,pruningregimes,pestmanagementstrategies,harvestprotocols,life-cycleandotherattributesnecessaryforsuccessfulplantingandmanagement).

14. IntegratedPestManagement(IPM):pestidentification,monitoringandassessing

pestnumbersanddamage,managementguidelines,pestprevention,andpestcontrol.StudentswillpracticeIPMprinciplesandpracticesaspartofacropproductionplan.

15. WeedManagement:weedidentification,controlmethods,herbicidedamage.

Studentscanidentifycommonweedsand/ormakeappropriatemanagementdecisionstominimizecropdamageduetoweeds.

16. WildlifeManagement:identification,monitoring,fencing,netting,eradication,

trapping,handling,andriskassessment.Studentscanidentifydamagefromcommonwildlifeandmakeappropriateactionstoreduceriskofwildlifedamageand/orcontamination

17. HarvestingandPostharvestHandling:maturitystagerecognition,harvesting

methods,handling,foodstorage,drying,curing,andpackaging.Studentsunderstandoptimalharvestingstage,efficientmethodsforharvesting,properhandlingmethods,andstorageforavarietyoffruitandvegetablecrops.

18. Farm-to-ForkFoodSafety:foodsafetyplan,riskassessment,mitigationstrategies,

on-farmsafetyprocedures,traceability,certificationprograms(e.g.GAPsvs.Primus).Studentswillwriteafoodsafetyplanandbefamiliarwithon-farmpracticesrelatedtogoodagriculturalpractices.

19. ProtectedCropProductionSystems:greenhouses,hightunnels,coldframes,lowtunnels,rowcover,plasticulturesystems,etc.

Studentswillknowthepracticesassociatedwithprotectedcropproductionaswellastheircostsandbenefits.

20. PermacultureandOtherProductionSystems:swalesandotherwatercapture

systems,diversifiedcropproduction,foodforests,mulch-basedsystems,hugelkultur,etc.

Studentswilldesignandimplementpermaculturepracticesandbeawareoftheircostsandbenefits.

21. MinimumTillageProductionSystems:strip-tillage,no-tillsystems,deepbedding,no-

tillequipment,cropbenefits,disadvantages,etc.Studentswillpracticethemethodsassociatedwithminimumtillagesystemsandbeawareoftheircostsandbenefits.

22. Marketing:retailvs.wholesalemarkets,marketdisplays,pricing,CSAs,foodhubs,

alternativedistributionsystems,sales,whattodowithnon-marketablecrops,etc.Studentswillassistwiththemarketingofcrops,understandingindetailthepricing,display,set-up,marketingcosts,etc.

23. RecordKeepingandFinance:financialrecordkeeping,organiccertificationrecords,

taxing,cashflowanalysis,enterprisebudgets,andcropprofitability.Studentswillhaveexperiencewitharecordkeepingsystemforafarm/garden.

24. StaffandVolunteerManagement:staffscheduling,hiring,delegatingeffectively,

recruiting,mentoring,managingindifficultsituations,termination,etc.Studentswillunderstandthebasicrequirementsofrecruitingstaffandvolunteers,managingthemeffectivelyandefficiently,anddealingwithdifficultpersonnelsituations.

25. OtherPossiblePracticumtopics:studentsareencouragedtopursueoneormore

specialtopicsaslearningcompetenciesinadditiontothegeneraltopicslistedabove.Belowarelistedsomeofthepossibilities,butstudentsmaysuggestothersasneeded.Specialtopicsmustbeapprovedpriortobeginningthepracticum.Examplesinclude:

-crop-livestockintegration-wholefarmplanning-farmfinancing(start-up)-farmenergyuseandalternativeenergy-aquaculture/aquaponics-livestock-bee-keeping-mushroomcultivation

PracticumSiteSelectionThepracticumshouldbecarriedoutatoneormoreurbanand/orperi-urbanfoodproductionsitesandstudentsareencouragedtoconducthands-onlearningactivities(atleastfour)atagencies,gardens,and/orcommercialfarmsoutsideofKSU.Practicumadvisorsshouldconsultthesectionofthismanualtitled“SelectionofPracticumSites”(pg.10)formoreinformationregardingtheexpectationsofsiteswhereapracticumexperiencecanbeperformed.ItiscriticaltorememberthatasanM.S.studentatKansasStateUniversity,youractionsandbehaviorsreflectontheprogramaswellastheuniversity.Therefore,itisextremelyimportanttomaintaingoodprofessionalconductwhenworkingat,andinteractingwith,outsideprivateandpublicorganizations.Clearcommunicationaboutexpectationsandfollowingthroughonthecommitmentmadetothatagencyisthefirststepindevelopingastrongprofessionalnetwork.Thefollowingstepscanbeaguidetoselectingasiteinwhichtoconductahands-onlearningexperience.1. Identifypotentialpracticumsitesanddiscusswithyourpracticumadvisortoconfirm

yourchoicesasacceptablesites.2. Atleastfourcompetenciesmustbemetatnon-KSUsites,whichcouldincludea

communitygarden,commercialfarm,orotherurban/peri-urbanfoodproduction/distributionsite.

3. StudentsarealsoencouragedtoperformpracticumactivitiesatHNRresearchstationsincluding:theWillowLakeStudentFarm,OlatheHorticultureResearchandExtensionCenter,HaysvilleHorticultureCenter,andChetopaResearchCenter.

4. Obtainpermissionfromthesite(s)approvedbyyourpracticumadvisor.Discussthefollowingconsiderationsthatarelistedbelowaswellassitesupervisorresponsibilitiesassociatedwithbeingahostsiteforyourpracticum.

• Studentsareencouragedtoworkwithhostsite(s)todeterminesuitableactivitiesthatwillgainexperienceintheareaslistedabovewellbeforetheactivitiesareperformed.

• Studentswillneedtocompletehands-onactivitiesrequiredtoaccomplishyourlearningobjectiveatthesite.

• Studentswillneedtoprovidedocumentationofhowhands-onactivityledtoincreasesinknowledgeforeachcompetency

• Thesitesupervisorwillneedtoprovidefeedbacktoyourpracticumadvisorattheendofyourhands-onactivities.

ParticipantRoles1. Student

Thestudentisresponsibleforallaspectsofthepracticumcourse(self-assessment,learningplan,hands-onactivities,portfolio).Thisincludesinitiatingandmaintainingopencommunicationwithpracticumhostsitesaswellastheirpracticumadvisor.Inadditiontobeinglearners,studentsserveasaninformalbridgebetweentheuniversityandthepracticumsite.Itiscriticaltomaintainaprofessionalandproductiverelationshipwiththehostsite.

2. PracticumAdvisor

Assiststhestudentwiththecompetencylearningplanaswellasplacementatthepracticumsite(s).Theyareavailableasaconsultantintheeventofaplacementissue.Thepracticumadvisorwillberesponsibleforfinalevaluationoftheportfolioanddocumentation,andwillassignagradeorotherwisedocumentcompletionofthecourse.

3. SiteSupervisor

Thepracticumsitesupervisoristheagency/garden/farm-basedstaffmemberwhoisresponsibleforguidingthestudent’sappliededucationalandpracticeexperienceatthepracticumsite.Thepracticumsupervisorisresponsibleforstudentsupervisionandeducation(relatedtohands-onactivities),reviewofwork,andprovidingfeedbacktothepracticumadvisor.

ParticipantResponsibilitiesInorderforthepracticumexperiencetobesuccessfulinmeetingitseducationalfunction,agreatdealofcooperationisessentialbetweenallconcernedparties.ThefollowingexpectationsandresponsibilitieshavebeenoutlinedasaguidefortheUniversity,theparticipatingsite/agency,practicumadvisor,andthestudent.

1. TheStudent

a. Undergoesself-assessmentinthecontextofthelearningobjectivesprovided.b. Communicateswithpracticumadvisortoidentifyareaswherethestudent

wouldliketoincreasetheirexpertisebyconductinghands-onactivities.c. CompletesaCompetencyLearningPlan,whichdelineateslearningobjectivesas

goalsandincludestimeframesforcompletionandstrategiesforaccomplishmentandevaluation.

d. Keepsajournaldocumentinganddiscussingexperiencesandactivities.

e. Accomplishesthetaskspre-determinedbytheCompetencyLearningPlananddocumentsactivitiesbyprovidingthepracticumadvisorwithwrittenupdatesorbypostingactivitiesontheUrbanFoodSystemsFacebookPage.

f. Documentstheaccomplishmentsofthelearningplanbyillustratingincreasedexpertiseinagivenlearningobjectivebasedontheirexperience.

g. Respecttheindividualityandconfidentialityoftheagency.Professionalconductisexpectedatalltimes.

h. Becomeknowledgeableabouttheagencyanditsroleinthecommunity.i. Utilizethesupervisionexperiencetofurtherprofessionalgrowthincluding

knowledgeandskilldevelopmentinurbanagriculture.

2. PracticumAdvisora. AssistsstudentwithdevelopmentoftheCompetencyLearningPlanb. Participateswiththestudentandtheagencyinplacementselection.c. Servesasaliaisontothesitesupervisor.d. Develops,withconsultationfromstudentsandagencies,guidelinesand

expectationsforthepracticumdocumentation.e. Takestheresponsibilityforthefinalgradeinconsultationwiththesite

supervisorandstudent.

3. ThePracticumHostAgency,Garden,orFarma. Providesanon-goingdiversityoftasksrelatedtothedevelopmentof(urban)

farmingskills.b. Providesameaningfuleducationalexperiencetothestudent.c. Providesaqualifiedstaffmemberwhowillactasthestudent’ssitesupervisor.d. Allowsopportunityforthestudenttoexperiencearangeof(urban)farming

methods.e. Providesanopportunitytolearnabouttheagencyanditslinkagewiththe

community.4. SiteSupervisor

a. Conductson-sitetrainingandsupervisionofthestudent’sactivitiesb. Shouldbeknowledgeableaboutspecialtycropfruitandvegetableproduction,

preferablyinanurbanorperi-urbanagriculturecontext.c. Providesmeaningfulassignmentsthatareappropriatetothestudent’sskillsand

areinaccordancewiththestudent’slearningplan.d. Providesongoingfeedbackforthestudent.e. Completeandsubmitanevaluationofthestudenttothepracticumadvisor.f. Providesanexitinterviewwiththestudenttodiscusstheexperienceandthe

studentevaluation.

SelectionofPracticumSitesExpectationsofAgency/FarmandPracticumSettingTheselectionofanagencyasapracticumsiteisbasedoncriteriarelatedtotheagency’scommitmenttoasharedresponsibilityforprofessionaleducationandexpertiseofstaff.Thespecificcriteriaforselectingpracticumsettingsincludethefollowing:1. Anactualfarmorgardensitewithinwhichthestudentwillwork.2. Thepresenceofasolidcommitmentbytheowner/administratorandstafftoprovide

professional,educationallearningopportunitiesincooperationwiththeKansasStateUniversityUrbanFoodSystemsgraduateprogram.

3. Anagencystaffmemberwithaminimumoftwoyears’experiencein(urbanorperi-urban)agriculturewhoagreestoactasthesitesupervisorforthestudent.

4. Thewillingnessbyparticipatingpersonneltoprovidestudentseducationally-guidedexperiencesascontrastedtoindiscriminateodd-jobassignmentsorlimitedobservations.

5. Theabilityandwillingnessoftheagencytoprovideexperiencegaining“hands-on”skillsandproblem-solvingexperience.

6. Theavailabilityofstaffthatiswillingandabletodevotetimetoastudent,inadditiontotheirnormalworkload.Asaruleofthumb,agenciesareexpectedtoprovideatleastanaverageof30-60minutesoffocusededucationaltimeperlearningcompetency,notincludingregularsupervision.

SiteSupervisorCriteriaThesitesupervisoristhepersonresponsibleforprovidingeducationtothestudentaswellasfeedbacktothepracticumadvisor.Theurbanfoodsystemsprogramhasestablishedthefollowingcriteriaforapprovalofpersonsaspracticumsitesupervisors:1. Twoyears’experiencein(urbanorperi-urban)agriculture.2. Recommendationoftheagencyinwhichthesitesupervisorisemployed.3. Approvalbypracticumadvisor.ExamplesofSitesThatareApprovedforthePracticum:

• Urbanandperi-urbancommercialfarms• Communityandcommunalgardens• Not-for-profitagenciesgrowingfood• OtherNGOsgrowingfood(restaurants,hospitals,schools)• Researchstationsandeducational/trainingfarmsandgardens• Municipalities(e.g.cities,counties)growingfood• Othersasapprovedbypracticumadvisor

StudentCompetencyLearningPlanBytheendofthefirstsemesterintheUFSgraduateprogram,thestudentneedstocompleteaCompetencyLearningPlanforeachofthe12learningobjectives(seepg.3)wheretheyplantogainskillsthroughhands-onexperience.It’simportantforthestudentstorecognizeandworkinareaswheretheyneedexperiencewhiledevelopingspecialtyskillsthattheymaybeabletoidentifyasspecificexpertise,orsetofstrengthsuponcompletionofthepracticum.ThegoaloftheUrbanFoodProductionPracticumistogainexposuretoabroadrangeoftasksfacingtheurbanfarmeranddevelopspecificskillsthatarerequiredtocompletesomeofthesetasks.PracticumCompetenciesThepracticumcompetenciescanbestbedescribedasindividualskillsthatareidentifiedbythestudentandthepracticumadvisorasstandardsforachievement.Thecompetenciesshouldassistthestudentandpracticumsupervisorinidentifyinghands-onlearningactivitiesthatareconsistentwiththegoalsofthepracticumandfallwithinthelearningobjectivesoutlinedabove.Thecompetenciesaretheresultofspecificactivitiesthatthepracticumadvisor,student,siteagencyandsupervisorhaveagreedupontobecompletedaspartofthepracticum.Thelearningstrategiesutilizedtogainspecificcompetenciesshouldbedescribedasspecificallyaspossibleandreflectthelearningobjectivesaslistedearlierinthisdocument.Foreachcompetencythatyouplantodocument,pleasecompleteaCompetencyLearningPlanattheendofthefirstsemesterintheUFSgraduateprogram.(Note,12arerequired,butstudentscanfilltheseoutformorethan12incasethingschangeduringthecourseofstudy).

StudentCompetencyLearningPlan–Completeforeachcompetency1. Competencytitle,learningobjectivesandactivities(fromlistprovided)2. PriorExperience.

a. Whatisyourpriorknowledgeinthisarea?(Usetheratingsystem0to5providedbelow).

0 Nopriorknowledgeinthisarea.1 Minimalpriorknowledge.2 Somepriorknowledge,butunabletoperformthisactivitywithoutassistanceoradvice.3 Somewhatfamiliarwiththisarea,haveperformedbefore,butwouldnotbecomfortableperforming

independently.4 Couldperformthistaskindependently,butwouldnotbeabletoadviseorsupervise.5 Familiarwiththisarea,couldperformindependently,andadviseandsuperviseothers.

b. Whereandwhendidyouobtainthisexperience?

c. Abouthowmanyhourswerespentlearningthismaterial?

d. Whatwerethespecificactivitiesthatyouperformedinthisareatogaincompetence?

3. Whatdoyouseeasthelearningopportunitiesforyouinthiscompetencyatyour

practicumplacementsite?

4. Whatareyourspecificlearninggoalsforthiscompetencyatthissite?*******************************************************************************************(Note:complete1-4abovebeforeyourplacement.Completetheremainderduringorafteryourreturnfromyourpracticumplacement.Reviewstatements1-4abovewithbothyourpracticumadvisorandyoursitesupervisorbeforeyoubegin).

5. Abouthowmanyhoursperweekortotalhoursovertheseasondidyouspendworking

onthiscompetency?6. Whatnewknowledgewasgained?(shortsummary,paragraphortwosummary).

7. Providedocumentationordemonstrationoftheknowledgegainedandyourcurrentcompetencylevel.Documentationmaytaketheformofadrawingordiagrams,(forexampleofanirrigationsysteminstalled),aseriesofphotographs,oranarrativeexplaininghowyouaccomplishedthelearningobjectivesandtasks.

8. Howwouldyourateyourselfnowusingthe0-5scaleabove?Doyoufeelthatthis

practicumexperienceallowedyoutogainproficiencyatthelevelrequiredforyourfuturecareerobjectivesinurbanagriculture?Whyorwhynot?(Note:unlessthereareextenuatingcircumstances,a“4”levelisexpectedasaminimumscoreforeachofthe12competencies).

Note:Studentsareadvisedtocompletethelearningplanastheyaddresseachspecificcompetencyratherthanwaitinguntiltheendofthepracticumexperience.Afteryouhavewrittenupthedocumentationforyourportfolio,pleaseaskyourpracticumadvisortocommentoneachofthe12competencies.Seeattachedsampleformforyouruse.Anotherpagewillbeaddedforyoursitesupervisor(s)tocommentonindividualcompetenciesandtheoverallportfolio.

DocumentingLearningStrategiesandActivitiesClearlywrittenlearningstrategiesandactivitiesintheagreementaddstructuretothestudent’spracticumefforts,individualizetheexperience,anddelineatetheprocessofevaluation.LearningActivities/Tasksenableastudenttoclearlydemonstratethestatedoutcomemeasures.Well-statedlearningstrategiesaretask/skillspecificandassistincriticalperformancereview.Thestudentandpracticumadvisorwillworktogethertotailortheseactivitiesmorespecificallytomeetindividualstudentlearningneedsandresourcesprovidedbyeachhostsite.WritingtheCompetencyLearningPlan1. Students

a. Reviewthelistedcompetencies.b. Reviewtheexpectedoutcomestatementsandratingscales.Thistoolwillbeusedas

partofyourfinalevaluationandcanindicatepre/postmeasureofgrowthifratedatthebeginningofpracticumandduringthefinalevaluation.

c. Makealistoftheskillsandknowledgethatyouwouldliketodevelopduringthepracticum.Thislistmayincludeskilldeficitsaswellasskillsandknowledgethatyoualreadypossessbutwouldliketodevelopfurther.

d. Parethelistdowntoamanageable(strategies/activities/tasks)size.Keepinmindcareerobjectives,hostsiteavailability,pastworkandacademicexperience,whichmaybeappliedtothefieldpracticum.

e. Edittheshortenedlistandbegintotailortheactivitiestofitindividuallearningneeds.Usethefollowingguidelines:i. Bespecific.Avoidglobalorgeneralstatements.Describelearningactivityintermsthatcanbeobserved,evaluatedormeasurablyachieved.

ii. Writesimple.Itisnotnecessarytoincludejargonorbuzzwords.iii. Useexamplesifitwillhelpreaderunderstandtheintent.iv. Learntocondensematerial(puttingtheemphasisonqualitynotquantity).f. Strategiesandactivitiesoftenreflectaprocesswhichcanbebrokendownintoanumberofsmalleractivitiesorsteps.

g. Whenpossible,assigntargetdatesforthecompletionoflearningactivities.Bespecificforwaysinwhichtheoutcomescanbeevaluated.

2. PracticumAdvisor

Thewritingofthelearningplanistheresponsibilityofthestudent.However,theidentificationoflearningstrategiesandactivitiescannotbeaccomplishedwithoutyourdirectcomment,participationandorientationofthestudenttolearningpossibilitieswithintheagencyorhostsite.Thegoalsandtaskheadingsofthelearningagreement

aredesignedtofacilitatedirection,learningprocess,exposuretovariousfieldsofpracticeandspecificityinperformanceandconsequently,evaluation.Adefinedstrategyoractivityshouldbeconsideredasanincrementalstepinthestudent’sdevelopmentofknowledgeandskill.

PracticumPortfolioRequirementsAttheendofthesemesterinwhichthestudentisenrolledinHORT792,theywillberequiredtosubmitaportfoliodocumentingthecompetenciesgained.Oneofthebestwaystodocumentcompetencyistoteachthatskilltoothers.Therefore,studentsarerequiredtoprovidefour“deliverables”aspartoftheirpracticumportfolios.Deliverablesincludewrittenpublications,videos,podcasts,webinars,websites,orothereducationalmaterialsthatareapprovedbythepracticumadvisorandUrbanFoodSystemsfaculty.Eachdeliverableshouldexplainhowtoperformaparticulartaskorsetofmanagementpracticesthatarerelevanttourbanagriculture.ExamplesofDeliverables

• Two-pagewrittenpublicationexplaininghowtoaccomplishataskwithinthegivencompetencyincludingatleastfivepicturesdemonstratingaskillortask.

• 3-5minute“how-to”videooutliningthebasicsofaspecificproductionpractice• 20minutewebinar(liveorpre-recorded)explaininghowtoconductatask• 4-10pagewebsiteoutliningasetofpracticesorspecificskill

Thepracticumportfolioshouldincludethefollowingsections:

• Studentself-assessment• Competencylearningplanfor12competencies• Fourdeliverablesbasedonknowledgegained• Evaluationbysitesupervisor(s)• Evaluationbypracticumadvisor

HORT 792 Urban Food Production Practicum Manual · HORT 792 - Urban Food Production Practicum (1...

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