Urban Farming Certificate

The Urban Farming Certificate provides students with an education in sustainable agriculture. Students will gain increased awareness of limited resources and the ability to harness existing technology to preserve and protect these resources in an urban environment. This certificate required the completion of 8 units. A grade of C or better is required in each course taken.

Based on the following 2021-2022 and 2022-2023 enrollment data, the projected number of students who will earn this certificate annually is twenty (20):

The Urban Farming Certificate is designed to prepare students to acquire knowledge and academic skills to transfer to a four-year institution and earn a baccalaureate degree in Landscape Management or similar major.

The program outcome goals for students completing the program are:

Outcome 1:    Design and manage small-scale urban food production systems such as raised beds, container gardens, and hydroponics.

 Outcome 2:    Analyze the role of urban agriculture in food security, sustainability, and community engagement.

 Outcome 3:    Apply best practices in soil health, water use, and pest management tailored to urban environments.

This certificate required the completion of 8 units. A grade of C or better is required in each course taken.

The current proposal is moving forward in the curriculum approval process. It has undergone "technical review" and will soon be shared with the sister campus, Cypress College. It will go before the curriculum committee for a vote before the end of the fall semester.

The only known program of a similar nature in Orange County can be found at Saddleback College (South Orange County CCD): Urban Certificate of Achievement. This certificate, however, differs in the number of courses (and units) required: 5 courses and 13 units.

Program awards conferred by community colleges with this particular TOP code can be found in the following table:

Annual enrollment projections provided above.