Course number: STOCKSCH 209 (online only)
Instructor: Sonia Schloemann, Lecturer
Contact: sgs@umext.umass.edu
ENROLL HERE
In this course we will study the principles and practices governing the establishment and management of fruit plantings from a holistic or systems perspective. The class will cover the four main small fruit or berry crops (strawberries, raspberries/blackberries, blueberries and grapes) and four main tree fruit crops (apples, pears, peaches and plums). Information covered will be oriented to growing conditions found in the Northeastern United States including traditional practices and innovations, organic, IPM and conventional practices. Students will also do an independent project studying another fruit crop of their choosing that has not been covered in class. This will allow them to learn about a fruit of special interest to them or one that is not typically grown in the Northeastern United States.
Topics will be covered in units, which will include:
- General site/soil basics
- Site suitability parameters (climate, GDD, frost-free days)
- Site characteristics (slope, sun exposure, wind)
- Soil characteristics (type, texture, chemical composition, pH, limitations)
- Soil health/resiliency parameters (OM, drainage, compaction, active carbon, assessment tools)
- Soil information resources (e.g., NOAA, NRCS, NE-SARE, ATTRA, other)
- Strawberry production (June bearing, Day Neutral types)
- Horticultural description and site/soil requirements
- Planting systems and cultural management (e.g., pollination, irrigation, renovation)
- Variety/cultivar considerations and information resources
- Insect, disease, weed management considerations and information resources
- Overwintering considerations and mulching
- Raspberry/blackberry production
- Horticultural description and site/soil requirements
- Planting systems and cultural practices (e.g., trellising, irrigation, summer pruning/tipping)
- Variety/cultivar considerations and information resources
- Insect, disease, weed management considerations and information resources
- Overwintering considerations and pruning
- Blueberry production (Northern Highbush types)
- Horticultural description and site/soil requirements
- Planting systems and cultural practices (e.g., pollination, mulching, irrigation)
- Variety/cultivar considerations and information resources
- Insect, disease, weed management considerations and information resources
- Overwintering considerations and pruning
- Grape production (Table and Wine Grapes)
- Horticultural description and site/soil requirements
- Planting systems and cultural practices (e.g., trellis construction, canopy management, irrigation)
- Variety/cultivar considerations and information resources
- Insect, disease, weed management considerations and information resources
- Overwintering considerations and pruning
- Apple production (Fresh eating and Cider types)
- Horticultural description and site/soil requirements
- Planting systems and cultural practices (e.g., pollination, grafting, standard forms, high density trellis systems)
- Variety/cultivar considerations and information resources
- Insect, disease, weed management considerations and information resources
- Overwintering considerations and pruning
- Pear production (European and Asian types)
- Horticultural description and site/soil requirements
- Planting systems and cultural practices (e.g., pollination, grafting)
- Variety/cultivar considerations and information resources
- Insect, disease, weed management considerations and information resources
- Overwintering considerations and pruning
- Peach/Plum production
- Horticultural description and site/soil requirements
- Planting systems and cultural practices (e.g., pollination)
- Variety/cultivar considerations and information resources
- Insect, disease, weed management considerations and information resources
- Overwintering considerations and pruning
- Plant nutrition, fertilization and soil health
- Pre-plant considerations
- Nutrient budgets
- Strawberry – nutrient needs and deficiency symptoms
- Raspberry/blackberry – nutrient needs and deficiency symptoms
- Highbush blueberry – nutrient needs and deficiency symptoms
- Grape – nutrient needs and deficiency symptoms
- Apple – nutrient needs and deficiency symptoms
- Pear – nutrient needs and deficiency symptoms
- Peach – nutrient needs and deficiency symptoms
- Plum – nutrient needs and deficiency symptoms
- How to develop a nutrient management plan
- Production budgets (Fixed and Variable Costs, Assumptions, Structure)
- Strawberry
- Raspberry/blackberry
- Highbush blueberry
- Grape
- Apple
- Pear
- Peach
- Plum
- Other
- Independent crop profile projects – share with the class
- Independent projects loaded and made available for viewing
- Projects viewed by classmates
- Feedback to authors from classmates
Unit structure: Each unit will begin with a set of online lecture presentations, which will be posted at the start of that unit and remain available for the duration of the class. Most units will run for one week with the exception of ‘Plant nutrition, fertilization and soil health’, which will run for 2 weeks. Reading materials and a study guide for the unit quiz will be posted along with the lecture presentations.
Discussion Section: There will be an introductory discussion section (mandatory), where students will introduce themselves to the class. Following that, there will be discussion questions posted for each unit. Students must initiate a response to the discussion question or meaningfully contribute to another students response for at least half the units. These responses will be graded as completed or not completed rather than graded on a rubric. The purpose here is to promote engagement with the class on the topic of each unit in a was that is similar to what would happen in an in-person classroom.
Assessments (quizzes) will be given at the end of each unit. The quizzes will be posted by 5:00 pm (EST) on Thursday and students have until midnight Sunday of that week to complete the quiz. Once started, the quiz must be completed within 30 minutes. For the first few weeks students will have 2 chances to complete the quiz in the event that a problem occurs while taking it. Thereafter only once attempt will be allowed. If you have technical difficulties, contact the instructor to ask for an additional attempt.
Fruit Profile Independent Project: In addition to completing all quizzes, each student will be responsible for researching and completing a fruit profile assignment for a fruit crop of their choosing (other than one of those covered in the class.) A template for creating this profile will be distributed to the class. Each student will also be required to read and comment on 2 profiles written by other students.
An extra credit option can be arranged with the instructor.
Learning Objectives:
- Students will gain an understanding of the site and soil requirements, planting and training systems, pruning practices, nutrient requirements, pollination needs, and pest complex facing each of the major fruit crops covered (strawberries, brambles, blueberries, grapes, apples, pears, peaches plums).
- Students will learn how to access and use important resources like soil and tissue testing, soil survey maps, diagnostic resources, and pest management recommendations (organic and conventional) used in holistic fruit production.
- Students will learn to research and evaluate the site and soil requirements, and the production needs of a fruit crop of their choosing.
Required Textbook: None, but each unit will have a list of readings that will be available to read online or as downloadable pdf files.
Format: This class is a lecture format delivered via an on-line environment with unit assessments (quizzes) and an individual crop profile assignment for each student. This course is worth 3 credits and is comprehensive. The instructor will monitor online activity daily and be available for questions and support to the class throughout the week, but will not be available “24/7”. While there is some flexibility, it is important to move along with the class, so as not to fall behind. There are 11 units in the class.
Technology: To view the material, make sure you have the ability to access Adobe Connect (info here). The technical requirements for the class are listed here.
Note* If you have any problems accessing any of the course material, please contact the UMass Online Tech Support office for help here.
Exams and Grades: There will be no exams in this class. Your grade will be based on successful completion of quizzes, submission of a crop profile assignment during the last week (unit) of the class, and constructive feedback to crop profiles submitted by classmates (this will replace a quiz for the last unit). An extra credit opportunity may also be completed but is optional and does not replace any other requirement for the class. Points are assigned as follows:
| Quizzes (10 total) | 50% |
| Individual fruit profile assignment | 25% |
| Discussion Section Participation | 15% |
| Feedback on crop profiles of other students
Extra Credit option by arrangement |
10%
Up to 10 points added to quiz total |
Grades will be given using these ranges:
| A | 95-100 |
| A- | 90-94 |
| B+ | 87-89 |
| B | 83-86 |
| B- | 80-82 |
| C+ | 77-79 |
| C | 73-76 |
| C- | 70-72 |
| D+ | 67-69 |
| D | 63-66 |
| F | < 62 |
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This class is part of the Sustainable Food and Farming Online Certificate Program and will count toward the Associate of Science degree as well as the Online B.S. degree. Online classes cost $482/credit.
To begin planning for the future, see….
Annual Class Schedule
NOTE: The UMass Sustainable Food and Farming Certificate has been declared eligible for Veterans Educational Benefits. For instructions see: Veterans Benefits.
If you are not interested in earning college credit, there are many non-credited workshops and short courses you can take outside of the university. For a list see: non-university workshops and courses.
Sustainable Food and Farming Online 