Sustainable Urban Agriculture Certificate Program

March 7- june 27, 2026

Increase Competence and Marketability for a Career in Urban Agriculture

This twelve (12) week Saturday Urban Agriculture Certificate Course begins on March 7, 2026 to June 27, 2026. The classes are from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., and include in-class and hands-on experiential learning sessions. This Spring the course will be offered as Face-to-Face and will be limited to 30 participants. All participants are required to attend the March 7, 2026 orientation from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Classes will be held at the Virginia State University’s Randolph Farm pavilion, located on 4415 River Road, Petersburg, Virginia 23803.

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 is 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”.

For more information, contact Dr. Leonard Githinji at lgithinji@vsu.edu or call (804) 524-5962, or visit the webpage below:

https://www.ext.vsu.edu/urban-agriculture-certificate-program

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.

Sustainable & Urban Agriculture