Sustainable Urban Agriculture certificate program starts soon!

by Arielle Gerstein

The Sustainable Urban Agriculture certificate program will begin its second session on March 31, 2015. The inaugural certificate program started in the fall of 2014 and was very successful with a total of 31 participants.  

This year, the program will have 40 participants who will learn basic and more advanced techniques in urban agriculture and how to start their own small businesses. The program offers to two tracks: 1) urban agriculture techniques and 2) business principles in urban agriculture. In addition each participant will take one of three special courses offered in Principles of Sustainable Urban Agriculture, Sustainable Aquaponics and Youth and Agriculture.

The main goal of this certificate program is for participants to gain knowledge in the subject areas covered during the classes through experiential learning. For the urban agriculture techniques track, all the classes will be held on CAUSES’ Muirkirk Research Farm in Beltsville, Maryland, so the participants will learn the entire process of growing produce and learn how to apply these techniques in their homes or businesses. The business principles in urban agriculture track will cover how to start a small business specifically focused on food production and/or distribution.

This program is now full but please fill out the registration form if you would like to be added to the wait list for the spring session. For questions, please contact Arielle Gerstein.