3101019 - Issues in Urban Agriculture
Course Description
Support sustainable community development by producing healthy food crops in urban environments. Delve into the production of specialty crops, livestock options, sustainable inputs, seed saving and permaculture. Uncover the challenges facing the sector while exploring examples of how groups and organizations around the world are creating successful projects that are changing the way society views its relationship with food and agriculture.
You will have the opportunity to design a sustainable urban agricultural project of your choice, which will further your understanding of the theory and practices learned throughout the course.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, you will be able to:
- Explain the history of urban farming and how urban agriculture practices are currently employed in Canada and globally
- Define food sovereignty and security in the context of cities and urban settlements
- Identify the challenges and opportunities for urban production to address climate change and the degree of sustainability for common urban agricultural practices
- Recall and explain considerations made for successful fruit and vegetable production in urban environments
- Evaluate marketing options for urban agriculture, niche markets, value added, and specialty crops
- Summarize the types of livestock suitable for urban agriculture, their benefits and impacts
- Compare the advantages and challenges of different methodologies of urban farming
- Recall the planning steps taken to develop a farm or food production/literacy project in an urban environment
Course Topics
- Urban Agriculture History and Global Perspective
- Urban Agriculture in Canada
- Environmental Challenges in Urban Agriculture
- Urban Agriculture Trends, Markets, and Economics
- Crops for Urban Agriculture
- Livestock for Urban Agriculture
- Seed Saving in Cities
- Climate Change and Urban Agriculture
- Urban Agriculture for Food Security
- Urban Agroecology
- Community Engagement and Project Development
- Urban Agriculture Case Studies
Additional Requirements
- This course is intended for adult learners who are at least 18 years of age.
- There are no prerequisites for this course.
- You can expect to spend 8 to 12 hours per week to complete the course content, readings, activities, discussions and assignments.
Issues in Urban Agriculture and Vegetable Production complete an area of focus in Urban Agriculture.
Assessment
| Assessment Item | Weight |
|---|---|
| Discussions (2) | 20% |
| Quizzes (1) | 10% |
| Assignments (4) | 70% |
| Total | 100% |
Please note that the course assessment is subject to change.
Applies Towards the Following Certificates
- Horticulture Certificate : Elective Courses
- Horticulture Diploma : Elective Courses
- Landscape Design Diploma : Elective Courses
- Sustainable Urban Agriculture Certificate : Electives
Technical Requirements
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*Course details are subject to change.