Jeanine Davis2; Karen Wynne3; Obadiah Nju AWS
Sustainable Urban Agriculture Certification Program at Virginia State University Leonard Githinji1, Cynthia Martin1, Theresa Nartea1, Laban Rutto1, Reza Rafie1, Chris Mullins1, Dahlia O’Brien1, Brian Nerrie1, Larry Connatser1, Patrick Johnson1, Doug Pfeiffer2, Steve Rideout2, Charlie Cahoon2 1Virginia
State University, Petersburg, VA 23806; 2Virginia Tech University (804)524-5962; [email protected]
Abstract In the Spring of 2017, Virginia State University (VSU) launched a Sustainable Urban Agriculture Certification Program for urban farmers, gardeners, extension educators, and community members. The program include a variety of subjects, viz., General Principles of Urban Agriculture; Permaculture; Business and Entrepreneurship; Pest Management; Hydroponics and Aquaponics systems; and Animal Husbandry, among other topics. Classes meet on Saturdays from 9:00 a.m. 3:00 p.m. The program requires completion of 80 hours of apprenticeship, designed to complement course information by providing the practical application of the course material. Students are also required to present a seminar upon the completion of apprenticeship. A certificate of completion is then awarded by the VSU College of Agriculture. The first class began in March, 2017, with 27 participants enrolled. A survey of the participants revealed that 100% agreed that the program met their expectations, that the instructors communicated clearly, and that the course content was relevant. At least 86 % agreed that the hands-on exercises were relevant; 82% liked that the class being held on Saturdays; while 95% liked the class meeting times. All the respondents agreed that the overall program was good and that that they would recommend it to others.
Program Activities
Program Evaluation
In-class instructions and hands-on demonstrations were conducted outdoors and in a greenhouse setting.
A survey was conducted for 80% of the Spring 2017 participants using a Likert Scale and who attended through the last module of the class.
Topics covered included: General Principles of Urban Agriculture; Basic Botany; Sustainable Soil Management, Urban Soils and Brownfields; Permaculture; Insect Pest Management; Weed Management; Plant Disease Management; Vegetable and Small Fruit Production; Plant Propagation; Greenhouse Production, Hydroponics and Aquaponics systems; Backyard rearing of Chickens and Rabbits; and Business and Entrepreneurship. Participants were required to participate in an 80 hour apprenticeship program designed to complement the course work by providing the practical application of course material. Participants got to choose from various urban farms and gardens that met their need and interest. Participants who successfully completed the 10 weeks course and the 80 hours apprenticeship were required to give a 20-30 minutes seminar related to their apprenticeship experience. Upon successful completion of the modules, apprenticeship, and seminar presentation, participants were awarded a Sustainable Urban Agriculture Certificate by the College of Agriculture, Virginia State University.
Results The participants revealed that 100% either agreed or strongly agreed that the program met their expectations; that the instructors communicated clearly; and that the course content was relevant. At least 86 % agreed that the hands-on exercises were relevant. At least 82% liked that the class being held on Saturdays, while 95% liked the class meeting times. All the respondents (100%) agreed that the overall program was good and that that they would recommend it to others. Majority of the respondents (57%) indicated that they learned about the program from either VCE email or from another person (family member, colleague, or employer). Majority of the participants indicated they plan to apply the knowledge gained to either start their business or to help others.
Conclusion Due to the overwhelming demand, VSU scheduled another Sustainable Urban Agriculture Certification Program that starts on September 30 through December 9, 2017. The cost is a one time fee of $190.
State University, Petersburg, VA 23806; 2Virginia Tech University (804)524-5962; [email protected]
Abstract In the Spring of 2017, Virginia State University (VSU) launched a Sustainable Urban Agriculture Certification Program for urban farmers, gardeners, extension educators, and community members. The program include a variety of subjects, viz., General Principles of Urban Agriculture; Permaculture; Business and Entrepreneurship; Pest Management; Hydroponics and Aquaponics systems; and Animal Husbandry, among other topics. Classes meet on Saturdays from 9:00 a.m. 3:00 p.m. The program requires completion of 80 hours of apprenticeship, designed to complement course information by providing the practical application of the course material. Students are also required to present a seminar upon the completion of apprenticeship. A certificate of completion is then awarded by the VSU College of Agriculture. The first class began in March, 2017, with 27 participants enrolled. A survey of the participants revealed that 100% agreed that the program met their expectations, that the instructors communicated clearly, and that the course content was relevant. At least 86 % agreed that the hands-on exercises were relevant; 82% liked that the class being held on Saturdays; while 95% liked the class meeting times. All the respondents agreed that the overall program was good and that that they would recommend it to others.
Program Activities
Program Evaluation
In-class instructions and hands-on demonstrations were conducted outdoors and in a greenhouse setting.
A survey was conducted for 80% of the Spring 2017 participants using a Likert Scale and who attended through the last module of the class.
Topics covered included: General Principles of Urban Agriculture; Basic Botany; Sustainable Soil Management, Urban Soils and Brownfields; Permaculture; Insect Pest Management; Weed Management; Plant Disease Management; Vegetable and Small Fruit Production; Plant Propagation; Greenhouse Production, Hydroponics and Aquaponics systems; Backyard rearing of Chickens and Rabbits; and Business and Entrepreneurship. Participants were required to participate in an 80 hour apprenticeship program designed to complement the course work by providing the practical application of course material. Participants got to choose from various urban farms and gardens that met their need and interest. Participants who successfully completed the 10 weeks course and the 80 hours apprenticeship were required to give a 20-30 minutes seminar related to their apprenticeship experience. Upon successful completion of the modules, apprenticeship, and seminar presentation, participants were awarded a Sustainable Urban Agriculture Certificate by the College of Agriculture, Virginia State University.
Results The participants revealed that 100% either agreed or strongly agreed that the program met their expectations; that the instructors communicated clearly; and that the course content was relevant. At least 86 % agreed that the hands-on exercises were relevant. At least 82% liked that the class being held on Saturdays, while 95% liked the class meeting times. All the respondents (100%) agreed that the overall program was good and that that they would recommend it to others. Majority of the respondents (57%) indicated that they learned about the program from either VCE email or from another person (family member, colleague, or employer). Majority of the participants indicated they plan to apply the knowledge gained to either start their business or to help others.
Conclusion Due to the overwhelming demand, VSU scheduled another Sustainable Urban Agriculture Certification Program that starts on September 30 through December 9, 2017. The cost is a one time fee of $190.
