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