Urban Agroecology

Program Description

The Urban Agroecology Certificate of Achievement program trains students in the skills and practices of urban agriculture, focusing on ecologically restorative food production, project planning, and small-scale enterprise development. Graduates of the program will be prepared for entry-level employment in the local urban agriculture industry or non-profit organizations.

Students in the Urban Agroecology program will:

• Learn the principles of sustainable farming and food systems in the urban environment.
• Plan and design home, school, and community gardens and farms.
• Find out about food production, food access in under-served communities, and public health implications of food distribution.
• Get hands-on training to work for the following: Small-scale farm enterprises, non-profit organizations relating to food and public health, food policy organizations.

Career Opportunities

The Certificate of Achievement provides training for students in the fundamentals of agroecology in an urban setting for future employment as resource managers, agronomists, food technicians, and small business operators in the private sector and in agricultural non-profit organizations. Those pursuing an educational career pathway will be prepared for jobs in outreach and interpretation for government agency jobs in sustainability.

Learning Outcome(s)

1. Contribute to the development of locally-owned enterprises based in the production, processing, distribution, and sale of fresh foods.
2. Develop and implement groundbreaking techniques for carrying out sustainable agriculture in conjunction with ecosystem restoration.
3. Serve as educators in their own communities, inspiring and enabling others to contribute to our cities' health and sustainability through personal choices.
4. Increase social equity by increasing employment, management, and ownership opportunities for the East Bay's most economically vulnerable residents.