Agriculture
Are you interested in plants, sustainability, agriculture and the future of our food
system? The sustainable urban agriculture program may be for you!
The agriculture program at City College offers students a unique learning experience unlike any other in Southern California. All agriculture classes combine hands-on experience on our 1-acre urban farm, Seeds@City, with classroom learning. This is the only program at a 2-year institution in Southern California offering laboratory experience on an operating production farm. Come grow with us and be a part of the urban agriculture movement in the heart of downtown San Diego!
Course Catalog Description
Click here for course description from Catalog
Program Description and Goals
The Sustainable Urban Agriculture offers a hands-on approach for students to enter into the academic and/or professional fields related to sustainable agriculture. This program provides a foundation in plant and soil science, integrated pest management, and crop production while focusing on ecological principles of sustainable agriculture. Students gain practical experience working alongside professional urban farmers and farm educators in the Seeds at City Urban Farm on the City College campus. Courses emphasize the how-to aspects of organic gardening and farming, including compost production, greenhouse propagation, crop planning and production. Students have the opportunity to analyze issues and implement solutions related to small-scale urban agriculture and to apply their knowledge in hands-on learning on the on campus 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.
Pathways
Associates of Science Degree for transfer: Agriculture Plant Science
This degree is intended to meet the lower division requirements for agriculture plant science for all CSU campuses offering this degree.
AGRI 125 Introduction to Soil Science, 3 units
AGRI 114 Plant Propagation, 3 units
AGRI 107 Introduction to Agricultural Plant Science, 4 units
CHEM 100 Fundamentals of Chemistry, 3 units
CHEM 100L Fundamentals of Chemistry Laboratory, 1 unit
ECON 121 Principles of Microeconomics, 3 units
MATH 119 Elementary Statistics, 3 units
*In addition to the courses listed above students must complete a general education pathway.
Associates of Science Degree: Sustainable Urban Agriculture
This degree provides students with a foundation of general education and agriculture concepts in preparation for transfer to a 4-year university. With this associates degree students could expect to transfer and work towards degrees such as:
-
- Sustainable Agriculture
- Agricultural Plant Sciences
- Sustainability
- Agriculture Science
- Food systems
- Soil Science
- Agriculture education
Courses required for the major:
AGRI 100 Principles of Sustainable Agriculture, 3 units
AGRI 102 Sustainable Urban Agricultural Practice, 3 units
AGRI 104 Sustainable Vegetable Production, 3 units
AGRI 125 Introduction to Soil Science, 3 units
AGRI 107 Introduction to Agricultural Plant Science, 4 units
CHEM 100 Fundamentals of Chemistry, 3 units
CHEM 100L Fundamentals of Chemistry Laboratory, 1 unit
SUST 101 Introduction to Sustainability, 3 units
*In addition to the courses listed above students must complete a general education pathway.
Certificate of Performance: Organic Gardening for the Culinary Arts (6 units)
Gives you a taste of the skills needed to work in urban farming as a profession.
Courses:
AGRI 102 Sustainable Urban Agricultural Practice, 3 units
AGRI 128 Food Preservation Skills, 1 unit
AGRI 104 Sustainable Vegetable Production, 3 units
*A certificate of performance is a departmental award that does not appear on the student's transcript.
Certificate of Achievement: Urban Gardening (12 units)
This certificate is for those who are interested in obtaining an agriculture-related job or developing a larger-scale home garden
Courses required for the major:
AGRI 102 Sustainable Urban Agricultural Practice, 3 units
AGRI 104 Sustainable Vegetable Production, 3 units
Required Electives: Choose 6 units from the following electives:
AGRI 100 Principles of Sustainable Agriculture, 3 units
AGRI 107 Introduction to Agricultural Plant Science, 4 units
AGRI 110 Introduction to Fruit Tree Management, 3 units
AGRI 114 Plant Propagation, 3 units
AGRI 116 Drip Irrigation Basics, 2 units
AGRI 125 Introduction to Soil Science, 3 units
AGRI 128 Food Preservation Skills, 1 unit
Certificate of Achievement: Urban Farming Professional (30 units)
This certificate was developed specifically for those who are preparing to establish and operate an urban farm-related business.
Courses required for the major:
AGRI 100 Principles of Sustainable Agriculture, 3 units
AGRI 102 Sustainable Urban Agricultural Practice, 3 units
AGRI 104 Sustainable Vegetable Production, 3 units
AGRI 110 Introduction to Fruit Tree Management, 3 units
AGRI 114 Plant Propagation, 3 units
AGRI 116 Drip Irrigation Basics, 2 units
AGRI 125 Introduction to Soil Science, 3 units
AGRI 270 Work Experience in Sustainable Urban Agriculture, 1–4 units
BUSE 157 Developing a Plan for the Small Business, 3 units
BUSE 119 Business Communications, 3 units
Program Learning Outcomes:
- 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 supports 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.
Career Opportunities
The average age of US farmers is 59 years old. Over 50% of the world's population currently lives in cities. 15% of the world's food is currently grown in cities. According to UN projections, 2/3 of the world's population will be living in cities by 2030. We need more farmers to meet the growing need for food and to ensure local food security.
The USDA projects that "U.S. college graduates will find good employment opportunities
if they have expertise in food, agriculture, renewable resources, or the environment.
Between 2015 and 2020, we expect to see 57,900 average annual openings for graduates
in these areas"
And, relevant to our program, among the priority occupations are:
- Farmer
- Crop Management Consultant
- Organic crops grower
- Precision Agriculture Specialist
- Organic Agriculture Entrepreneur
- Fruit and Vegetable grower
- Restoration Forester
- Seed Producer
- Plant Scientist
- Insect Biologist
- Soil Scientist
For more information on USDA Agriculture and Food job projections through 2020 click here.
Need more info?
For Agriculture certificates and degrees contact:
Abbie Ferrieri aferrieri@sdccd.edu