Environmental & Cultural Odysseys
Sustainable Student Travel
Od-ys-sey:
[od - uh - see].
1. a long wandering and eventful journey with adventures. 2. An intellectual
or spiritual quest: an odyssey of discovery...
Ridge to Reef: Beneficial Farming & Sustainable Living Course
Sustainable Travel International Member
The unique Ridge to Reef: Beneficial Farmer Training Program is the centerpiece to the educational programming offered at the Farm Institute. We immerse students into our working farm enterprise to witness and work within our sustainable systems. Through quality instruction and hands-on learning participants will be introduced to what we have identified as our primary focus areas. Our sustainable system focus areas are: permaculture/agroforestry, agroecology/organic farming, sustainable building techniques, renewable energy (solar and biodiesel), agrotourism, environmental/farm-based education, animal husbandry, slow food/culinary arts. Lecture topics during the 2-month course will also include primitive skills, natural art, earth science, local ecology, and culture. Students will also have multiple opportunities to travel the island of St. Croix and see first hand the unique landscapes, from ridge to reef, and participant in activities like hiking, snorkeling, cultural immersion, and much more…
What is Beneficial Farming? Beneficial Farming is the VISFI brand of an
integrated agricultural skill package that fuses elements of organic agriculture,
agroecology, Permaculture, silvipasture, business, and natural resource
conservation. It’s beneficial because it strives to heighten biodiversity
in ways that strengthen community health, increase the stock of natural
capital, and produce economically viable goods and services. It also just
happens to make food taste better. Beneficial farming does not settle for
a zero balance. It does more than just make it. It makes it better.
Program Dates
Jan 13 – Mar 12, 2010
Program Costs
$3750 (before Nov 19); $4250 (after Nov 20). Program fee includes: all accommodations, meals, in-country transportation, and island excursions. It does not include international airfare or personal spending money.
Credit Offered
Email us for more information
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Program Details:
Accommodations
All accommodations are included in the program fee. Accommodations are located on the Farm and are simple cabana bunk houses. Each bunk house comes equip with electricity, internet, and a fan. Students must bring their own sheets and pillows. The Farm has composting toilets near the bunk houses and a full bathhouse near the community center with passive solar showers and flushing toilets.
Transportation
All program related in-country transportation is included in the program fee.
Excursions
All excursions are included in the program fee.
Highlights
Living on a sustainable farm, experiencing the cultural and natural heritage of a Caribbean island
