Department of Regenerative Organic Agriculture

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Introduction

Regenerative Organic Agriculture is a systems-based approach that leverages natural ecology to build soil, improve water efficiency, and increase biodiversity. This method emphasizes healthy food, feed, and fiber systems as the foundation of strong communities. Regenerative agriculture practices capture and store more carbon in the soil and release fewer greenhouse gases than conventional agriculture. By using regenerative principles, we can revitalize soil biodiversity, enhance ecosystem services, achieve carbon drawdown, and restore the water cycle.

Due to degenerative agricultural practices, the United Nations has reported that there are fewer than 60 growing seasons left before the world’s soil will no longer support crop production. As food and fashion brands review their supply chains to improve their environmental footprint and stakeholder value, they increasingly consider how their raw materials are produced. Multinational corporations are already investing in regenerative and organic agriculture. This global transition requires skilled professionals who understand both organic and regenerative methods.

MIU’s Department of Regenerative Organic Agriculture explores the forefront of regenerative organic agriculture principles and practices, which are key to improving soil health, human health, and climate health. Our programs emphasize training in organic agriculture as defined by governments worldwide. Students learn to think critically and holistically about the design and success of organic agriculture systems. We engage students through hands-on projects, problem-solving, journaling, research, teaching, and collaboration.

ROA VISION STATEMENT

MIU’s Department of Regenerative Organic Agriculture is designed to demonstrate the potential of regenerative organic agriculture systems to revitalize soil biodiversity, improve water quality, increase nutrient density, build economic resiliency, and capture and store carbon to help mitigate climate change. We view consciousness as essential to perceive and participate in the interconnectedness of regenerative practices that support perpetual well-being. Through collaboration, we locally model our unique contribution to restore balance back to our soils to improve our food, feed, and fiber systems that nourish our communities and can regenerate the global ecosystem.

SPECIAL FEATURES

As we tackle the world’s environmental, societal, and economic challenges, from local to global scales, we must cultivate ever-greater creativity and intelligence. Maharishi International University is pioneering in expanding the scope of regenerative organic agriculture to include the knowledge of living in accordance with natural law.

Build Pragmatic Skills and Knowledge
In response to critical pressure on our planet’s natural resources and climate change, the programs of Regenerative Organic Agriculture focus on pragmatic skills and knowledge that support the provision of organic food, feed, and fiber systems that nourish communities and regenerate the soil and the global ecosystem - healing our soil, our health, and our planet.

Work toward a Holistic and Cooperative Worldview
The widespread adoption of regenerative technologies depends on developing a new, more holistic worldview. This worldview is rooted in understanding natural systems, recognizing humans’ place within these systems, and fostering cooperative, non-exploitative relationships between humans and nature. We need a fundamental change in the philosophy and theory guiding human relationships with each other and the natural world.

Develop a Higher State of Consciousness
At MIU, the experiential basis of a change in worldview to Earth Community is the simple practice of the Transcendental Meditation technique. Regular meditation combined with dynamic activity in daily life leads to the development of higher states of consciousness, making the new worldview not just an intellectual idea but also a lived reality.

Gain Knowledge Rooted in Fundamental Philosophy and Theory
Our programs provide the inner foundation for the creation of a new outer world. This inner foundation includes the development of consciousness and the supporting intellectual understanding of the fundamental philosophy and social, political, and economic theory underlying this new worldview.

Experience MIU’s Supportive Learning and Living Environments
Using a combination of wind, solar, and geothermal power, rainwater collection, regenerative agriculture, and natural building materials, the MIU’s Sustainable Living Center offers one example of many in Fairfield, Iowa, a unique small town that displays an abundance of sustainable community development initiatives, including the 1.1-million-watt state-of-the-art solar power plant designed to provide one-third of the university’s electric power.

Learn through Internships and Hands-on Experiences
Undergraduate students can gain practical work experience while earning credit for full- or part-time internships with agricultural and environmental organizations. Master’s degree students have opportunities to learn with hands-on coursework and a final research project that encourages collaboration and community activities.

Degree Programs

• Bachelor of Arts in Regenerative Organic Agriculture
• BAAS Specialization in Regenerative Organic Agriculture
• Minor in Regenerative Organic Agriculture
• Master of Science in Regenerative Organic Agriculture

Degree Programs in Brief

The bachelor’s degree program offers community college graduates and transfer students the opportunity to chart a two-year curriculum path toward earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in Regenerative Organic Agriculture. Students studying on-campus experience a balance between classroom theory and hands-on skill-building at local farms. Students studying online can gain additional hands-on experience with a low-residency option that includes joining the on-campus students for a 9-month module or a short summer farm practicum.

The minor provides an opportunity for MIU undergraduate students to focus 16 credits of courses in one area of study that may complement their major or broaden their learning beyond their major.

The BAAS Specialization is a standalone, 32-credit, secondary course of study in Regenerative Organic Agriculture that can complement a wide array of undergraduate majors and develops a deeper skill level beyond a minor.

The Master of Arts in Regenerative Organic Agriculture offers a fully online, 16-month degree path for busy students who may be juggling employment or parenting commitments. Weekly workload hours are 10-13 hours per week plus TM practice.

Students who plan to earn both a BA and MA in Regenerative Organic Agriculture can enter an accelerated BA/MA program that offers undergraduate students in the ability to earn dual credit in some graduate-level courses to fulfill requirements for both their bachelor’s and master’s degrees.

Certificate Programs in ROA

MIU’s certificate programs offer specialized instruction to enrolled students and non-degree-seeking students. A non-degree student who successfully completes an ROA certificate may request approval for the certification credits to be applied toward earning a bachelor’s degree, specialization, or minor in Regenerative Organic Agriculture.

Field Training Certificate in Regenerative Organic Agriculture
A 9-month certificate program that combines classroom instruction with fieldwork to learn all facets of regenerative organic agriculture, from starting seeds to post-harvest field preparation.

Certificate in Regenerative Organic Agriculture
An online or low residency certificate program that gives students an opportunity to learn, adopt, and implement regenerative agriculture practices under the guidance of the Department of Regenerative Organic Agriculture’s experienced faculty and staff. MIU students must successfully complete AG 300 with a grade of 80% or higher to earn a Permaculture Design Certificate (PDC).

Permaculture Design Certification (PDC)
An internationally recognized certificate offering full immersion in ecosystem thinking and whole systems design.

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