Educational Opportunities: Certificates and Workshops

We've got a number of evening and weekend educational opportunities coming up in Fall 2016. Why not register for one (or more)?

Creating Change Makers

Change is challenging. Those drawn to this program will draw on their own personal history as a source of their capacity to achieve their aims. The program therefore will begin with a self-inquiry - a "radical inquiry" - that will involve autobiographical self-exploration first into the gifts and capacities that students bring to this work; and second, into their personal passions and goals. That foundational work will be followed by an introduction to core competencies, which will be both generic and specific. Among the generic skills will be the following: team-building, working with and valuing diversity, using sound and current data, seeking and using feedback, re-framing for success, forgoing strong agreements, applying whole systems thinking, and building win-win agreements.  Specific competencies will include open space group facilitation, grant-writing, project budgeting and creating a business plan. Some of these skills will be covered in the course, while others will be introduced through field-building practicums.  Course fee: $60. October 18 - November 3, 2016. Register here.

Center for Urban Agriculture and Gardening Education

Sustainable Urban Agriculture Certificate Program: Choose between two options consisting of three classes each or select an individual course. Option 1: Urban Agriculture Techniques, includes Principles of Sustainable Agriculture, High Efficiency Production Methods for Urban Growers and Urban Agriculture Innovations. Option 2: Business Principles in Urban Agriculture, includes Principles of Sustainable Agriculture, Urban Agriculture Site Planning and Design and Business Principles of Sustainable Agriculture. September 8 – October 1. Register here.

Introduction to Biointensive Urban Agriculture: This program is intended for beginning and intermediate urban gardeners. Each class will focus on a particular food production subject such as intensive crop production, seedling production, compost, crop extension and other principles. Gain the skills needed to maintain an organic garden and gain ideas to jump start urban agriculture. Urban Ag 101: Intro to Intensive Crop Production. Urban Ag 102: Planting and Crop Production. Urban Ag 103: Soil Preparation, Improvement and Nutrient Cycling. Urban Ag 104: Pest, Disease and Weed Management. Urban Ag 105: Intensive Vegetable Harvesting. Urban Ag 106: Season Extension of Food Crops. FREE. Multiple dates through October. Register here.

Center for Sustainable Development

Introduction to Green Infrastructure & Low Impact Development: Low Impact Development (LID) is typically defined as a stormwater management design framework aimed at minimizing the negative impacts of stormwater runoff. This two-day introductory course addresses LID in the contexts of design, planning, implementation, and maintenance and is designed for planners, engineers, landscape architects, realtors, surveyors, local governments, and anyone else interested in environmentally friendly, cost-efficient development. Upon completion of this course, students should be able to engage in intellectual discussions involving LID, apply principles learned in design and review scenarios, and identify intricate components of an LID, coupled with how each component functions and contributes to the overall system. Course Fee: $300. September 13-14. Register here.

Aquaponics Technician Certification: Aquaponics refers to a food production method that combines the fields of aquaculture (fish production) and hydroponics (growing vegetables in water). Aquaculture is defined as raising aquatic organisms such as crayfish, fish or prawns; Hydroponics is defined as growing plants in nutrient rich water without soil. The waste created by the fish serves as fertilizer for the vegetable plants. The technique, therefore, allows for a synergistic system in which fish and plants are grown together for mutual benefit. This certificate program offers participants the opportunity to build a state of the art aquaponics system that uses the unique patented aeration device, Flo-vex. This highly efficient aerator makes it possible to build a system that uses only water as a working fluid that minimizes energy use, and is both aesthetic and efficient. Participants will engage in the hands-on assembly and installation of a full scale aquaponics system to gain a deep understanding of the technology and its applications. Course fee: $195. Two sessions between September 8 – 16.  Register here.

Center for Nutrition, Diet and Health

Cooking Healthy from Farm to Table: Become the confident cook you’ve always wanted to be by mastering the basic skills for kitchen success. Learn to cut, dice and slice like a pro. This 5-day, hands-on cooking series will focus on practical essential kitchen skills and the fundamentals of cooking everything from grilling and roasting to braising and sautéing. Learn how simple it can be to make homemade and delicious meals. You will also have an opportunity to ask questions and get advice on specific techniques you want to know more about. Course fee: $75. September and October sessions available. Register here.

Professional Food Managers Certification Training (Food Handling): The 16 clock hour course prepares food handlers for any of the nationally accredited food managers’ examinations including Prometric, ServSafe, and the National Registry of Food Safety Professionals. Topics include danger associated with foodborne illness, risk factors that contribute to foodborne disease outbreaks, characteristics of potentially hazardous foods, employee health and personal hygiene, safe food handling, equipment, facilities, and Hazard Analysis Critical Control points (HACCP). Individuals successfully completing the course will take a nationally recognized certification exam. The $147 course fee includes the NSF Guard Professional Food Manager Certification Training Version 6.0 and one round of testing for the national exam. For more information, please contact Paul Brown, Jr. at pbrown@udc.edu or (202) 274-6490. Multiple Dates August – October. Register here.

SMART Nutrition (“Safe, Manageable, Affordable, Relevant, and Tasty Nutrition to Support Healthy Aging): “SMART Nutrition” is an acronym for Safe, Manageable, Affordable, Relevant, and Tasty nutrition geared toward senior residents. This 8-session certificate course is designed to give senior citizens practical healthy aging and chronic disease prevention strategies with a sustainable food, nutrition, and physical activity emphasis. Participants will engage in interactive nutrition education, healthy food budgeting, cooking demonstration, physical activity, nutrition policy, service, and peer coaching activities that will enable them to enhance their personal lives and better serve their community. The adapted evidence-based Eat Smart, Live Strong curriculum for older adults and the University of the District of Columbia Urban Food Hubs Model will serve as the core foundation to the certificate group sessions and service activities. Course fee: $25. September 13 -November 1. Register here.

Center for 4-H and Youth Development

Volunteer Leaders Training: Volunteers have been an integral part of the success of 4-H since the 1920s, serving as club and project leaders, camp counselors, and even as trainers and mentors. 4-H adult volunteers have the unique opportunity to make a significant and positive contribution to youth development by sharing learned skills, making a difference in their lives and leaving a legacy. The 4-H Volunteer Leaders Training prepares adults to assist youth in managing 4-H clubs and activities. Learn how to support our youth in learning about leadership and opportunities that help them to meet their full potential. FREE. For more information, please contact Ms. Rebecca Bankhead at rbankhead@udc.edu or (202) 274-7081. September 17 or November 5. Register here.

Engaging Youth in Urban Agriculture (Workshop for Educators): This course is designed for adults working with children and includes innovative ways of engaging them in agriculture. The course addresses elementary, middle school and high school aged youth. All levels of participation include experiential activities for adults to share with youth that will keep them learning about agriculture and enjoying fun experiences as they learn. Participants will be invited to bring their own ideas and successful projects from their previous work experiences. Includes a field trip to a local school garden, projects and ideas about engaging teens in a farmer’s market will also be included. Course Fee: $75. August 29 – September 1. Register here.