Interested in food, sustainability, community, agriculture or economics??? Consider in May 2006…

embarking on a Voyage to Cuba; a country like no other!!!

The Nature

The people

The Farmers

The Culture

The passion

The Revolution

CUBA… a country like no other! The Community

Field Studies in Sustainable Agriculture Tour of Cuba Dates : May 1 – 22 Instructor : Wendy R. Holm, professional agrologist, columnist, resource economist, writer and CIDA project advisor Guide : Cuba Natura, personal tour guide and translator 3 credits : Obtained through UBC AgSci 302

Dates : May 1 – 22

Instructor : Wendy R. Holm, professional agrologist, columnist, resource economist, writer and CIDA project advisor

Guide : Cuba Natura, personal tour guide and translator

3 credits : Obtained through UBC AgSci 302

Why Cuba? Its Unique History During the revolutionary period, Cuba was characterized by large monocultures Unsustainable intensive factory systems Prior to 90’s: extremely dependent on foreign trade for agricultural inputs 85% of Cuba’s trade was with socialist countries in Europe

Its Unique History

During the revolutionary period, Cuba was characterized by large monocultures

Unsustainable intensive factory systems

Prior to 90’s: extremely dependent on foreign trade for agricultural inputs

85% of Cuba’s trade was with socialist countries in Europe

1989 Collapse of the Soviet Union The availability for Cuba of fertilizers and pesticides dropped by 70% Cuban agriculture was faced with an additional drop of 50% in the availability of petroleum The U.S tightened the trade embargo Castro declared Cuba’s economic crisis as the country entering a ‘Special Period’ So how did a small country adjust to such drastic changes???

1989 Collapse of the Soviet Union

The availability for Cuba of fertilizers and pesticides dropped by 70%

Cuban agriculture was faced with an additional drop of 50% in the availability of petroleum

The U.S tightened the trade embargo

Castro declared Cuba’s economic crisis as the country entering a ‘Special Period’

So how did a small country adjust to such drastic changes???

It reinvented itself!!! It looked to its roots!!! It sought alternatives to high input Agriculture!!!

A World Leader in Sustainable Agriculture Cuba’s agricultural sector is a role model for all of Latin America, Canada and the rest of the world! So… what supported this amazing transition? How does Cuba have Global resonance? That is exactly what you will be researching!!!

Cuba’s agricultural sector is a role model for all of Latin America, Canada and the rest of the world!

So… what supported this amazing transition?

How does Cuba have Global resonance?

That is exactly what you will be researching!!!

What is included in this course?? Curriculum components Meet with professors and students from various universities and agricultural circles I.e.: Lecture given by Dr. Ernel Gonzalez, professor of rural sociology

Curriculum components

Meet with professors and students from various universities and agricultural circles

Palacio de Pioneros

Agricultural University of Ciego de Avila

Curriculum components 2) Meet with representatives from, Cuba’s main professional organizations and ministry of Agriculture

Cuban Ministry of Agriculture Sanidad Vegetal

Curriculum Components 3) Visits to various forms of farmers cooperatives

CPA El Moncada

CPA Trinidad

Curriculum Components 4) Visits to botanical gardens and exposure to Cuba’s Green medicine movement

Botanical Garden in Vinales

Curriculum Components 5) Exposure to Cuba’s social and cultural institutions

Markets

Curriculum Components 6) Come face to face with Urban Agriculture Organoponico El Rabinito

Curriculum Components 7) Exploration of Cuba’s Ecological Areas

Vinales Valley, The Mogotes Mountains

What more is Included in this course?? Many Amazing Learning Outcomes An understanding of Cuba’s agricultural sector, past and present The 5 factors that supported the transition and allowed Cuba to transform ideas into practices of sustainable agriculture Organic fertilization and soil conservation Ecological pest management Crop and livestock management

Many Amazing Learning Outcomes

An understanding of Cuba’s agricultural sector, past and present

The 5 factors that supported the transition and allowed Cuba to transform ideas into practices of sustainable agriculture

Organic fertilization and soil conservation

Ecological pest management

Crop and livestock management

What else is included in this course??? Many fun times!!!

Price: 2,250 USD plus air fare For a detailed itinerary and course outline www.theholmteam.ca/student.tour.html Only 25 spots available!!!