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EG Partner: Appropriate Technologies for Human-Scale Farms


Class
Nissa Coit
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Designed for individuals involved in agriculture or agricultural development, this self-paced online course delves into the philosophy of technology and its implications for addressing the challenges faced by modern society.

COURSE DESCRIPTION

Human-scale farms are designed to be worked by humans, not machines. This allows for more control and precision in planting, harvesting, and caring for crops while reducing the environmental impact of farming. Developed by members of the Puerto Rico Science, Technology, and Research Trust and EcoGather, this course explores the methods and technologies that are appropriate for use on a human-scale farm. By studying real-life examples and drawing from the experiences of successful farmers, you will gain the knowledge and insights needed to identify methods and technologies that are suitable for human-scale farms.

This course goes beyond a mere examination of farming practices by delving into the ethical and sustainability consideration associated with technology, encouraging critical analysis and thoughtful reflection on its role in agriculture. It is an opportunity to gain valuable insights and broaden your understanding of human-scale farming, appropriate technologies, and their relevance in achieving sustainable agriculture.

Throughout this course, students will:

  • Define human-scale farming.
  • Define appropriate technologies.
  • Explain why it is a relevant strategy for sustainability.
  • Compare different approaches to human-scale farming.
  • Consider beneficial and detrimental uses of technology in past, present, and future applications. 

 

This course was created through and is part of :

 

COURSE-AT-A-GLANCE

The topical overview of the course below provides an early taste of what you can expect as you embark on your learning journey.

  • Module 1 - What is Technology?
  • Module 2 - Techno-Optimism and Collapse
  • Module 3 - Critiquing Technology
  • Module 4 - Technology and Human Scale
  • Module 5 - Assessing a New Technology
  • Module 6 - Case Studies

                AUDIENCE

                This course is designed for:

                • Agroecological farmers
                • Small scale farmers
                • Farmers seeking to increase efficiency and comfort for themselves and their employees
                • Anyone interested in the philosophy of appropriate technology

                COURSE FEE

                The total cost for this course is $149 USD.  This fee includes the cost of course tuition and materials. Participants will be granted access to course materials for one (1) year.

                COURSE DEVELOPERS - Nayla Bezares & Nissa Coit

                This course was developed collaboratively by Nayla Bezares and Nissa Coit, members of The Puerto Rico Science, Technology and Research Trust and Ecogather, respectively.

                Nayla Bezares

                Nayla is a food systems researcher and project manager at the Puerto Rico Science, Technology and Research Trust. The Trust is dedicated to investing, facilitating, and building the capacity of its citizens' well-being through innovation-driven enterprises, science, technology, and public health. Nayla holds a Master's degree in Agriculture, Food and Environment from Tufts University and is Puerto Rico.

                .image of Nayla Bezares

                 

                Nissa Coit

                Nissa is a life-long student of the natural world. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Biology from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill and a Master's degree in Entomology from the University of California, Davis. She has served as adjunct faculty at Sterling College in Entomology, Ecology, and Biology. Nissa currently works as a Learning Network Associate for EcoGather, where she supports the instructional design of courses on a broad range of topics. IN addition, to this course, she has served as a content contributor for Ecological Pest Management, Ecology Essentials for Everyone, Grounded Symbiosis: Soil, Plants and Fungi, and the Art and Science of Apiculture. 

                image of nissa Coit

                Disclaimer:

                 

                Course descriptions on this webpage are for informational purposes only. Content may be updated or changed as planning evolves. Sterling College reserves the right to alter the program specifics, including details about course content, instructors, collaborations, field trips, facilities, and pricing, at any time without notice. 

                 

                Sterling's programming is always subject to adaptive change based on then-current events (e.g., public health emergencies, extreme weather events, service outages, etc.). We appreciate understanding and flexibility when we make adjustments designed to support community safety and care for the places in which we learn. We also thank you in advance for your patience when technical snags beyond our control briefly interrupt access. 

                Here is the class outline:

                Course Introduction

                Introduction to the course and course creator. How to navigate the course on NEO.

                Module 1: What is Technology?

                In this module, we will explore the definition of technology in general, as well as economist E.F. Schumacher’s definition of “appropriate technology with a human face”, and philosophically, what its purpose should be in terms of serving humanity within natural ecosystems.

                Module 2: Techno-Optimism and Collapse

                In this module, we will consider how technology has enabled our overshoot in resource use and development, and the importance of being deliberate and thoughtful in choosing the technologies we want to use going forward, especially in the context of agriculture.

                Module 3: Critiquing Technology

                In this module, we will delve into the history of technology in agriculture, particularly the negative impacts of the Green revolution, and analyze the validity of arguments condemning technology.

                Module 4: Technology and Human Scale

                In this module, we will learn about the definition of human-scale and its relationship to diversity and resilience, how to evaluate the size of your farm, and how scale impacts and is impacted by the surrounding systems.

                Module 5: Assessing a New Technology

                In this module, we will analyze technologies that can support farmers at various stages of production such as those that address informational challenges that farmers face, support efficient resource use, and support improved yields. These technologies may have the potential to create high economic value for smallholder farms around the world. We will consider the questions you should ask when implementing these technologies, the barriers to their adoption, as well as the factors that may enable their implementation.

                Module 6: Case Studies

                Appropriate technology is any that is appropriate for your own unique circumstances, within the bounds of what you value. That is, what is appropriate for one person may not be appropriate for someone else. In order to determine if a technology is appropriate for you, you must first identify what is important to you, what you are trying to accomplish, which of your values are non-negotiable, and which you are willing to compromise on. In this module, we will use what we have learned to critique several case studies, and you will determine if each would be suitable for you.