Sustainable & Urban Agriculture

 
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Sustainable Urban Agriculture Certificate Program

March 2 - JUNE 8, 2024

Increase Competence and Marketability for a Career in Urban Agriculture 

The Sustainable Urban Agriculture Certificate Program is designed for anyone charged with starting or managing an urban farm or who wants to increase their marketability to do so.

The course provides a curriculum rich in the science-based knowledge needed to successfully and safely grow produce in an urban environment. The classes will be on Saturdays are from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., at VSU Randolph Farm Pavilion, and will include lectures and hands-on experiential learning sessions. 

Course Topics Include:

  • General Principles of Urban Agriculture 

  • Basic Botany, Physiology, and Environmental Effects of Plant Growth 

  • Crop Pest and Disease Management 

  • Business Principles of Agriculture 

  • Permaculture; Vegetable and Small Fruit Production 

  • Urban Soils, Brownfields and Safe Gardening Practices 

  • Greenhouse Production-Aquaponics/Hydroponics 

  • Plant Propagation and Nursery Management 

  • Backyard Rearing 


Instruction are provided by Virginia State University and Virginia Tech Faculty, and featured guest speakers. 
 
This program is supported in part by the USDA/NIFA grant # 2018-38821-27760 Entitled “Enhancing the Capacity of Virginia State University to Expand Urban Agriculture Education through the Distance Learning Approach”. 

If you are a person with a disability and desire any assistive devices, services or other accommodations to participate in this activity, please contact the Agriculture and Natural Resources office at (804)524-5960/TDD (800)828-1120 during business hours (8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.) to discuss accommodations 5 days prior to the event.

Please note to complete the course, you must attend all classes. If you are unable to complete the course you will be dismissed from the program. There is no refund of the registration fees.

Extension is a joint program of Virginia Tech, Virginia State University, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and state and local governments. Virginia Cooperative Extension programs and employment are open to all, regardless of age, color, disability, gender, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, veteran status, or any other basis protected by law.

An equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Virginia State University, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture cooperating. Mike Gutter, Director, Virginia Cooperative Extension, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg; Robert N. Corley, III, Administrator, 1890 Extension Program, Virginia State University, Petersburg.