Sustainable Urban Agriculture Certificate Program (Spring 2025)
Saturdays, March 1, 2025 • 9:00 PM - 3:00 PM (to May 31, 2025)
VSU Randolph Farm, 4415 River Rd, Petersburg, VA
INCREASE COMPETENCE AND MARKETABILITY FOR A CAREER IN URBAN AGRICULTURE
Virginia State College of Agriculture Cooperative Extension will offer a twelve (12) week Urban Agriculture Certificate Course from March 1 through May 31, 2025.
The classes will be on Saturdays are from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., at VSU Randolph Farm Pavilion, and will include lectures and hands-on experiential learning sessions. Those who choose the virtual option will be able to attend sessions online, and will receive the same kits for hands-on activities, the same educational materials, and the same certificate as those who choose the in-person option.
Course Topics Include:
General Principles of Urban Agriculture
Basic Botany, Physiology, and Environmental Effects of Plant Growth
Crop Pest and Disease Management
Business Principles of Agriculture
Permaculture; Vegetable and Small Fruit Production
Urban Soils, Brownfields and Safe Gardening Practices
Greenhouse Production-Aquaponics/Hydroponics
Plant Propagation and Nursery Management
Backyard Rearing
Instruction are provided by Virginia State University and Virginia Tech Faculty, and featured guest speakers.
This program is supported in part by the USDA/NIFA grant # 2018-38821-27760 Entitled “Enhancing the Capacity of Virginia State University to Expand Urban Agriculture Education through the Distance Learning Approach”.
For more information, contact Dr. Leonard Githinji at lgithinji@vsu.edu or call (804) 524-5962, or visit the webpage below:
https://www.ext.vsu.edu/urban-agriculture-certificate-program
If you are a person with a disability and desire any assistive devices, services or other accommodations to participate in this activity, please contact the Small Farm Outreach Program office at smallfarm@vsu.edu or call (804) 524-3292 / TDD (800) 828-1120 during business hours of 8 am. and 5 p.m. to discuss accommodations five days prior to the event.
Virginia Cooperative Extension is a partnership of Virginia Tech, Virginia State University, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and local governments. Its programs and employment are open to all, regardless of age, color, disability, sex (including pregnancy), gender, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, military status, or any other basis protected by law.