AGRI Program Descriptions

Ecological Landscaping


Program Description: The Ecological Landscaping Certificates offer a hands-on approach for students to enter into the academic and/or professional fields related to sustainable landscaping. Students gain skills to critically analyze historical, current and future horticultural practices in order to offer alternative solutions to create more sustainable green industry models. The program allows students to gain practical and theoretical experience working alongside professional urban farmers and organic horticulture educators in the Seeds at City Urban Farm on the City College campus.

Program Goals: This program provides the opportunity for students to analyze issues and implement solutions related to ecological landscaping and apply their knowledge in hands-on learning at the Seeds at City Urban Farm. The primary aim is to train a diverse group of skilled professionals in sustainable landscaping methods.

Program Emphasis: This program provides a foundation in plant and soil science, integrated pest management, and organic gardening techniques while focusing on ecological principles of sustainable landscaping. Courses emphasize the how-to aspects of organic gardening and problem solving with out chemicals, including use of compost, low volume irrigation, and integrated pest management.

Career Options: These certificates prepare students to enter into professional and educational fields related to sustainable urban landscaping and agriculture. Career options include home gardeners, new and experienced horticulture professionals, plant nursery industry professionals, and small to large institutional gardeners.

Student Learning Outcomes:
Students who complete this program should be able to:
  • Understand and explain the three facets of sustainability (economic, environmental and social) both in general and as they apply specifically to landscaping, practices.
  • Understand and explain the components of a landscape system, including plant varieties for the Southern California region, soil fertility design organic pest control and high efficiency-low volume irrigation.
  • Design a landscape layout that accounts for biological pest control, natural habitat, water conservation usability by residents as/or visitor and compatibility with surrounding land uses.
  • Develop proper irrigation base on the knowledge of the relationships between plants, soil water and climate.
  • Solve environmental issues as they arise at existing landscaping sites (e.g. pest damage, nutrient depletion, water deficiency, etc.) using organic techniques.
  • Obtain employment in a field related to landscaping.

Sustainable Urban Agriculture

Program Description:
Sustainable Urban Agriculture offers a hands-on approach for students to enter into the academic and/or professional fields related to sustainable agriculture. Students gain skills to critically analyze historical and current food systems in order to offer alternative solutions to create more sustainable food system models. Students gain practical experience working alongside professional urban farmers and farm educators in the Seeds at City Urban Farm on the City College campus.

Program Goals:
This program provides students the opportunity to analyze issues and implement solutions related to small-scale urban agriculture and to apply their knowledge in hands-on learning at the Seeds at City Urban Farm. The primary aim is to train a diverse group of skilled organic practitioners who actively participate in improving the health of their environment, food, and communities through small scale organic food production, education, advocacy, and social service programs.

Program Emphasis:
This program provides a foundation in plant and soil science, integrated pest management, and crop production while focusing on ecological principles of sustainable agriculture. Courses emphasize the how-to aspects of organic gardening and farming, including compost production, greenhouse propagation, crop planning and production.

Career Options:
San Diego City College offers certificates, degrees and transfer options in the Sustainable Urban Agriculture program. The Certificate of Performance, Organic Gardening for the Culinary Arts, compliments educational programs in the culinary arts. The Urban Gardener Certificate of Achievement provides skills and knowledge for careers at an organic farm, nursery, commercial greenhouse or to manage a community garden. The Certificate of Achievement in Urban Farming prepares students and professionals to establish and operate an organic urban farm business. The Sustainable Urban Agriculture, Associate in Science Degree, prepares students to transfer to a four-year college to study agriculture, sustainable agriculture, plant science, crop science, agricultural business, or ecology.

Student Learning Outcomes:
Students who complete this program should be able to:

  • Understand and explain the three facets of sustainability (economic, environmental and social) both in general and as they apply specifically to landscaping, practices.
  • Understand and explain the components of a food system.
  • Design an organic urban farm that support natural ecosystems, human health, and water conservation.
  • Evaluate the soil food web.
  • Create a crop plan that is appropriate for the southwest region.
  • Identify plant disease and pests and incorporate integrated pest management and other organic strategies for a resilient food system.
  • Demonstrate basic propagation techniques.