Fundamentals of Urban Agriculture - free course from Open Education, training 15 weeks, Date: December 5, 2023.
Miscellaneous / / December 08, 2023
Currently, Moscow University is one of the leading centers of national education, science and culture. Raising the level of highly qualified personnel, searching for scientific truth, focusing on humanistic ideals of goodness, justice, freedom - this is what we see today as following the best university traditions Moscow State University is the largest classical university in the Russian Federation, a particularly valuable object of cultural heritage of the peoples of Russia. It trains students in 39 faculties in 128 areas and specialties, graduate students and doctoral students in 28 faculties in 18 branches of science and 168 scientific specialties, which cover almost the entire spectrum of modern university education. Currently, more than 40 thousand students, graduate students, doctoral students, as well as specialists in the advanced training system are studying at Moscow State University. In addition, about 10 thousand schoolchildren study at Moscow State University. Scientific work and teaching are carried out in museums, at educational and scientific practice bases, on expeditions, on research vessels, and in advanced training centers.
Candidate of Biological Sciences
Position: senior researcher at the Department of Agrochemistry and Plant Biochemistry, Laboratory of Root Nutrition and Plant Quality, Faculty of Soil Science, Lomonosov Moscow State University
Topic 1. Introduction: What is urban agriculture?
Definition of “urban agriculture”. A brief historical overview of the development of urban agriculture in the world. Global context for urban agriculture development. Specifics of urban agriculture in different parts of the world.
Topic 2. Main types of urban farms
Microfarms in and around the house; rooftop farming (open ground, greenhouses); community and institutional gardens; small-scale commercial gardening; small-scale commercial livestock farming; urban aquaculture/aquaponics; small-scale specialized production system; large-scale agricultural enterprises; multifunctional farms; urban forestry; vertical farming.
Topic 3. Urban agriculture at home. Technologies and methods of hobby plant growing
Part 1. A variety of practices and technologies that allow growing vegetables and green crops in urban environments. Features of “smart” minimal maintenance agricultural systems. Features and diversity of vertical home phytosystems. The trend towards remote control and minimization of care: what technologies ensure the implementation of these requests. The concept of "growing".
Part 2. Features of lighting and heating of modern residential premises in connection with the needs of plants. Seeds, plant varieties for urban growing. We select phytohormones, growth regulators, soils - “substrates”, containers and other components for amateur “growing” according to the situation. We carry out sowing, picking and timely watering. Details of plant care regulations.
Topic 4. Ecosystem services provided by urban agriculture.
Six essential ecosystem services of urban agriculture: food production, water management resources, soil health, biodiversity, climate change mitigation and social benefits to society. Urban agriculture as a source of greenhouse gases.
Topic 5. Opportunities and challenges for the development of urban agriculture in Russia.
Specifics of urban agriculture in Russia. Approaches and goals of urban management in Russia. Development opportunities and problems of city farming in Russia.
Topic 6: Crop Basics and Soil Mixes.
The difference between soil and soil, substrate. "Vegetable mixtures". Various components for making substrates, granulates, “soil conditioners”. Composts, vermicomposting. Biofertilizers. Humates.
Topic 7: Urban Agriculture Production Technologies
Professional city farming. Providing the basic needs of plants: light, heat, water. Features of hydroponic agricultural systems. Rack technology, automation. Artificial intelligence. Management and sales of products.
Designing the final creative assignment of the course