Sustainable Urban Agriculture Certificate Program

Urban Agriculture Certificate Program — Virginia Cooperative Extension – Virginia State University

To help meet the growing demand for academically trained urban agriculture professionals, Virginia State University’s College of Agriculture is offering its fourth Sustainable Urban Agriculture Certificate Program this spring. 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. Courses include: sustainable soil management, plant propagation and nursery management, permaculture, plant disease and pest management, greenhouse production (hydroponics and aquaponics), animal husbandry (backyard chickens and rabbits), urban farming business planning and management, and many more. All courses will be taught by Virginia State University (VSU), and Virginia Tech professors and other invited guests

The 12-week (17 modules) course begins March 7 and ends May 30, 2020. Classes will be conducted on Saturdays from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. on VSU’s Randolph Farm located at 4415 River Road, Petersburg, VA. Instruction will consist of morning lectures and afternoon hands-on outdoor and lab activities. Each student must also complete by the end of October, 80 hours of internship work at an approved urban farm in order to successfully graduate from the program with full certification.

For a fee of $250, the course will include in-class sessions, hands-on activities, educational materials, light refreshments, and lunch. 

Saajida Chohan 

Educational Support Specialist

Sustainable Urban Agriculture Certificate Program

schohan@vsu.edu

(804) 524-5252