Agroecology

Soil Science: Understanding the types, properties, and functions of soil, as well as soil conservation techniques.

Plant Science: Basic plant physiology, development, growth, and reproduction.

Agroforestry: Combining trees and crops in a way that improves soil fertility and provides ecological functions.

Crop Rotation: A farming technique that involves planting different crops in the same field each season to preserve soil quality and combat pests and diseases.

Agroecosystems: The study of the ecological relationships between plants and animals in agricultural systems, including how plants and animals interact with each other and with the physical environment.

Water Management: Techniques for conserving water and optimizing irrigation, including techniques like using rainwater harvesting, drip irrigation and reducing runoff.

Pesticides and Herbicides: The understanding of the different types of pesticides, their effects on the environment, on non-target organisms and proper dosing to improve crop yield while minimizing environmental damage.

Animal Husbandry: Raising and caring for different livestock species and understanding the impact of animals on the environment.

Integrated Pest Management: Crop protection that uses proactive and preventive approaches to reduce the use of pesticides.

Food Systems: Understanding the relationships between agriculture, food, nutrition and health.

Sustainable Agriculture: Applying agroecology principles to create productive, economically viable and ecologically sound farming practices that reduce reliance on imported inputs.

Composting: Turning organic waste into a valuable resource through decomposition, and using it to enrich soil, reduce waste and improve plant growth.

Crop Diversity and Polyculture: The importance of planting multiple crop species and using diverse planting methods to promote soil health, pest and disease resistance and increase resilience.

Conservation Agriculture: Farming system that emphasizes minimum soil disturbance, crop diversity and soil cover.

Permaculture: Creating sustainable, self-sufficient agricultural systems that mimic natural ecosystems, reduce inputs, and maximize food yield.

Polyculture: A type of agroecology that is based on the concept of planting multiple crops on the same plot of land, thereby increasing biodiversity and soil fertility.

Intercropping: An agroecological practice where two or more crops are planted together, usually in rows or alternating patterns, to increase yield and improve soil health.

Agroforestry: A sustainable land management system that combines trees with crops, livestock or fish production, on the same plot of land, which encourages diversity and promotes natural resource conservation.

Silvopasture: An agricultural practice that combines grazing animals, trees, and forage plants together in the same area, creating an ecosystem in which all three thrive.

Permaculture: A holistic approach to agroecology that seeks to create self-sustaining ecosystems, with an emphasis on natural systems, using of renewable resources.

Companion planting: A technique of planting two or more different crops in close proximity, in which one plant provides a benefit to the other, such as pest control or increased nitrogen fixation.

Crop rotation: A system that involves rotating crops in a specific sequence, year after year, to maintain soil health and prevent pest or disease buildup.

Cover cropping: Planting cover crops that are not harvested or sold, but instead, left in place to improve soil health, fertility, and water retention.

Zero-tillage: A no-till approach to crop production that involves planting crops directly through the residue from the previous year's crop, which improves soil health and reduces erosion.

Regenerative agriculture: A type of agroecology that is focused on restoring soil health and increasing biodiversity to promote sustainable farming practices, which leads to environmental, social, and economic benefits.