Urban Agroecology

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Fall 2024 Classes:

Welcome to the Garden! For current pictures, and to see what our students are up to, please visit us on Instagram @nhsmerritt.

Want to get your hands in the dirt? The Urban Agroecology Certificate of Achievement 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

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 the public health implications of food distribution.
Learn how to replace our current industrial agriculture system with a local, regenerative, just, and culturally appropriate food system.
Get hands-on training to work for small-scale farm enterprises, non-profit organizations relating to food and public health, and food policy organizations.

Upon successful completion of this program, students will be able to

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

Certificate Courses

(Please note the changes, effective Fall 2023)

Required Courses (17 units required; number of units in parentheses)

ENVMT 001 Environmental Careers (1)
ENVMT 002 Introduction to Sustainable Environmental Systems (4)
ENVMT 035 Introduction to Urban Agroecology (3)
ENVMT 012 or AFRAM 38 Environmental Racism and Justice (3)
LANHT 024 Propagation (3) NEW!
LANHT 076 Edible Landscaping (3) NEW!
(removed ENVMT 3 and ENVMT 5)

Major Electives (Choose 9 units)

ENVMT 003 Social Issues in Agriculture (3) NEW!
ENVMT 005 Bay Area Food Culture (3) NEW!
ENVMT 016 Introduction to Healthy Community Systems (3)
LANHT 016 Soil Management (3) NEW!
LANHT 028A Permaculture Design I (3)
NUTR 031 Food-Production Systems (3)
(removed LANHT 45A, LANHT 76 and LANHT 77)

Interdisciplinary Electives (Choose 2 units)

BIOL 005 Botany (4)
BIOL 015 Environmental Biology (3)
BIOL 029 Introduction to Biodiversity (4)
BIOL 061H Natural History of the Bay Area: Butterflies and Moths (2)
ENVMT 476F Occupational Work Experience in Environmental Management and Technology (3)
ENVMT 008 Introduction to Outdoor Education (3)
ENVMT 014 Environmental Impact Reports (2)
ENVMT 39C Geographical Information Systems Applications (4)
ENVMT 044 Introduction to Creek and Watershed Restoration: General Aspects (3)
ENVMT 055 Principles of Conservation and Land Management (3)
ENVMT 056 Management of Public Parks and Natural Resources (3)
ENVMT 057 Park Operations Practices and Skills (4)
GEOG 001 Physical Geography (3)
GEOL 021 Bay Area Field Studies (1)
LANHT 002 Plant Materials: Tree ID and Culture with Lab (Day) (3)
LANHT 002E Plant Materials: Tree ID and Culture (Evening) (3)
LANHT 005A Plant Materials: Fall Native Plant ID and Culture with Lab (Day) (3)
LANHT 005B Plant Materials: Spring Native Plant ID and Culture with Lab (Day) (3)
LANHT 005EA Plant Materials: Fall Native Plant ID and Culture (Evening) (3)
LANHT 005EB Plant Materials: Spring Native Plant ID and Culture (Evening) (3)
LANHT 010 Insect Pests (3)
LANHT 023 Plant Terminology (2.5)
LANHT 081 Arborist Equipment Fundamentals (2)
NATAM 076E California Indian Ecology on the Central Coast (1.5)
NUTR 031 Food-Production Systems (3)
(removed LANHT 16, LANHT 45A, and LANHT 50)

Total units required for Certificate: 28

Note: Please know that students that are in the middle of completing this certificate with the old requirements will be supported them receiving it and graduating.

Model Curriculum

The following table provides a suggested sequence of courses through which a student could earn the Certificate within 2 years:

Year 1

1st Semester Fall Courses	Units	2nd Semester Spring Courses	Units
ENVMT 1	1	ENVMT 2	4
Major Elective	3	LANHT 024	3
Major Elective	3
Total Semester Units	7	Total Semester Units	7
Total Units Completed To Date	7	Total Units Completed To Date	14

Year 2

3rd Semester Fall Courses	Units	4th Semester Spring Courses	Units
ENVMT 12	3	ENVMT 35	3
Interdisciplinary Elective	2	LANHT 076	3
Major Elective	3
Total Semester Units	8	Total Semester Units	6
Total Units Completed To Date	22	Total Units Completed To Date	28