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Academics & Training / Programs & Degrees / Fields of Interest / Agriculture, Food & Natural Resources / Sustainable Agriculture

Sustainable Agriculture Certificate

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Program Code: 900901

Discover the skills, science and art of producing crops, livestock and foods using organic and sustainable principles. Create a new business, transition toward organic, become certified and join in this growing field.

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Program Costs & Financial Aid

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Certificate Completers will be able to

• Apply organic systems principles to their farm or land.
• Appraise and manage soil health.
• Practice organic animal husbandry.
• Apply organic practices to field crops and horticultural crops.
• Create a simple agricultural business plan, with marketing options.
• Evaluate alternative crops and livestock.
• Compose an on-going operation and management plan for an enterprise.
• Plan the transition of a conventional enterprise into an organic one.
• Complete forms necessary to document organic or conservation program status.
• Access financial, technical and service program resources.
• Model a balanced sustainable-organic ag system.

Completers will be able to apply credits toward the following programs:

100903, Sustainable Food and Agriculture Systems

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Curriculum
Catalog No. Description
Credits
10-090-111 SUSTAINABLE AG: ISSUES & PRACTICES ...use critical thinking skills to compare organic and sustainable agricultural practices with industrial agriculture. Explore food production issues including antibiotics, herbicides, hormones, GMOs, animal welfare, crop yields, nutrients, and pollution.
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10-090-139 ORG SOILS, NUTRIENTS, COMPOST... Healthy soil is the foundation of sustainable farming and gardening. Build robust soil through organic matter, cultivating beneficial microorganisms, and nutrient cycling. Explore composting techniques and organic fertilizer sources.
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10-090-134 SUSTAINABLE AG & FOOD BUSINESS ...define your goals. Research expenses and potential income for a small food-related enterprise. Outline a budget. Compare markets. Develop a brand identity. Review financial terminology. Draft a business plan. (Prerequisite: Accepted into Sustainable Food & Ag Systems or Sustainable Ag certificate)
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10-090-131 ORGANIC GARDENING ...whether gardening on a small scale or using commercial greenhouses and fields, plan seedings, control pests, diseases, and weeds, all using best organic practices. Review rules and organic certification standards. Includes hands-on instruction in the Bounty Garden.
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10-090-120 ORGANIC LIVESTOCK PRACTICES ...students learn how organic farmers manage livestock successfully. Principles covered include organic health care, strategies for reproduction, feeding, housing, and young stock. Review rules and organic certification standards.
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OR
10-090-123 ORGANIC POULTRY MANAGEMENT...explore a variety of poultry for backyards or commercial enterprises. Topics include biology, health, feeding, eggs, housing options, processing plans and budgets. Compare organic and conventional management and business opportunities.
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10-090-125 AQUACULTURE ...fish farming, the most suitable species, different system setups and best practices. Develop a budget, explore markets and trends, analyze benefits and obstacles in this business.
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Certificate Total 12 or
13
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Note

• Earn credentials that show your expertise to lenders, employers or customers.
• Learn how to manage a farm or test the feasibility of your product or business idea.
• Choose individual courses or the complete series, based on your needs.

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