Module Details

Module Code: AGRI6018
Title: Market Gardening
Long Title: Market Gardening
NFQ Level: Fundamental
Valid From: Semester 1 - 2016/17 ( September 2016 )
Duration: 1 Semester
Credits: 5
Field of Study: 6210 - Agriculture
Module Delivered in: 3 programme(s)
Module Description: This module is an introduction to the development and functioning of a market garden producing fruits, vegetables and culinary herbs for sale. It will give a grounding to students wishing to develop a market garden as a small business. The module discusses both organic and conventional approaches of production.
 
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module the learner will be able to:
# Learning Outcome Description
LO1 Outline the distinct nature of market gardening
LO2 Discuss matching supply with demand
LO3 Compare and contrast packaging and presentation of vegetables, fruits and culinary herbs in varying outlets
LO4 Describe high quality production systems for fruit, vegetables and culinary herbs
LO5 Evaluate adding value to market garden products
Dependencies
Module Recommendations

This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is strongly recommended before enrolment in this module. You may enrol in this module if you have not acquired the recommended learning but you will have considerable difficulty in passing (i.e. achieving the learning outcomes of) the module. While the prior learning is expressed as named MTU module(s) it also allows for learning (in another module or modules) which is equivalent to the learning specified in the named module(s).
Incompatible Modules
These are modules which have learning outcomes that are too similar to the learning outcomes of this module. You may not earn additional credit for the same learning and therefore you may not enrol in this module if you have successfully completed any modules in the incompatible list.
No incompatible modules listed
Co-requisite Modules
No Co-requisite modules listed
Requirements

This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is mandatory before enrolment in this module is allowed. You may not enrol on this module if you have not acquired the learning specified in this section.
No requirements listed
 
Indicative Content
Supply & Demand
Quantifying output & sales, off season production, added value options, specialised markets
Packaging and Presentation
Harvesting, grading, storing, packaging materials,labelling,EU regulations, qulaity control
Market Garden Production
Fruit, vegetable and culinary herb cultivation techniques, pest weed and disease control, continuity of supply, quality control at market scale.
Module Content & Assessment
Assessment Breakdown%
Coursework50.00%
End of Module Formal Examination50.00%

Assessments

Coursework
Assessment Type Presentation % of Total Mark 10
Timing Week 5 Learning Outcomes 1,2,3,4,5
Assessment Description
Detail a proposal for development of the students market garden design project and present market investigation of supermarkets and a farmers market
Assessment Type Project % of Total Mark 40
Timing Week 10 Learning Outcomes 1,2,3,4,5
Assessment Description
Design a Market Garden based on market investigations and relate to theoretical weekly sales
End of Module Formal Examination
Assessment Type Formal Exam % of Total Mark 50
Timing End-of-Semester Learning Outcomes 1,2,3,4,5
Assessment Description
End-of-Semester Final Examination
Reassessment Requirement
Repeat examination
Reassessment of this module will consist of a repeat examination. It is possible that there will also be a requirement to be reassessed in a coursework element.

The University reserves the right to alter the nature and timings of assessment

 

Module Workload

Workload: Full Time
Workload Type Contact Type Workload Description Frequency Average Weekly Learner Workload Hours
Lecture Contact Lecture Every Week 2.00 2
Lab Contact Product production and industry visits Every Week 2.00 2
Independent & Directed Learning (Non-contact) Non Contact Study course material and practice skills Every Week 3.00 3
Total Hours 7.00
Total Weekly Learner Workload 7.00
Total Weekly Contact Hours 4.00
Workload: Part Time
Workload Type Contact Type Workload Description Frequency Average Weekly Learner Workload Hours
Lecture Contact Lecture Every Week 1.00 1
Lab Contact Product production and industry visits Every Month 1.00 4
Independent & Directed Learning (Non-contact) Non Contact Study course material and practice skills Every Week 5.00 5
Total Hours 10.00
Total Weekly Learner Workload 7.00
Total Weekly Contact Hours 2.00
 
Module Resources
Recommended Book Resources
  • Jean-Martin Fortier. (2014), The market gardener, New Society Publishers; Consortium Book Sales & Dist, Canada, p.240, [ISBN: 0865717656].
  • Pam Dawling. (2013), Sustainable market farming, Philadelphia, PA; New Society Publishers, USA, p.456, [ISBN: 0865717168].
  • Lynn Byczynski. (2013), Market farming success, White River Junction, VT; Chelsea Green Pub, USA, p.288, [ISBN: 1603583866].
  • Smith, T.. (2010), The Profitable Culture of Vegetables for Market Gardeners, Small Holders, and Others, Nabu Press, [ISBN: 978-1146490207].
  • Gareth Davies, M. Lennartsson. (2006), Organic Vegetable Production: A Complete Guide, The Crowood Press, [ISBN: 1861267886].
Supplementary Book Resources
  • Vance Corum, Marcie Rosenzweig, and Eric Gibson. (2005), The new farmers' market, [ISBN: 978-0963281425].
  • Rawson, W. (2010), Success in Market-Gardening, a New Vegetable Growers' Manual, General Books LLC, [ISBN: 978-1152162426].
  • Ric Staines. (1992), Market Gardening: Growing & Selling Produce, Fulcrum Publishing, [ISBN: 1555911005].
This module does not have any article/paper resources
Other Resources
 
Module Delivered in
Programme Code Programme Semester Delivery
CR_BAGRI_7 Bachelor of Science in Agriculture 3 Elective
CR_BHORT_7 Bachelor of Science in Horticulture 3 Mandatory
CR_BAGRI_6 Higher Certificate in Science in Agriculture 3 Elective