Whole Farm Nutrient Management: Capstone Course on Environmental Management of Dairy Farms

Abstract

Whole Farm Nutrient Management is an upper-level, undergraduate course offered through the Department of Animal Science (AS) and Department of Crop and Soil Sciences (CSS) at Cornell University. The course (AS/CSS 412) is designed for students interested in agricultural careers and aims to help them develop a working knowledge of agricultural environmental management. Students must enroll in Module I (soil and crop nutrient management) and most opt to continue through the second half of the semester in Module II (dairy herd nutrient management). Most students enter AS/CSS 412 with more animal science experience and course work than crop and soil background, so the following description and critique center on the degree to which students gain a working knowledge of agricultural environmental policy, the basics of soil and crop nutrient management, and the development of a nutrient management plan for an actual dairy farm in Module I. Instructor observation as well as course and post-graduation student evaluations indicate highly satisfied students, strong relevancy to their careers, good achievement of learning objectives, and five major areas for improvement. Based on the results of this study, we will strive to make Module I (i) more applied and intuitive, (ii) better paced, and (iii) more integrated with Module II through the use of web-based learning units in preparation for class and more problem solving during contact hours. We also plan to address student requests for (iv) more field trips and (v) more contact with farmers and nutrient management planners through virtual field trips and videoconferencing.