The Green Gardener Award introduces students to essential knowledge and skill sets to begin gardening with the seasons in central Texas using eco-friendly methods.

Core Courses

• HALT-1005 Introduction to Soil
• AGCX-3018 Seasonal Gardening
• AGCR-1092 Irrigation for Sustainable Agriculture
• HALT-1078 Integrated Pest Management -OR- AGCR-1070 Integrated Pest Management Basics for sustainable Agriculture

Students who desire to further their learning about sustainable agricultural practices whom may not yet be ready to commit to sustainable agriculture as a career path are encouraged to explore our Land Stewardship for the Hobby Farmer Award Track.

The Land Stewardship for the Hobby Farmer Award Program provides students with the basic essential skills for ecological land management on the market garden scale. Students will gain theoretical as well as hands-on skills and experience, and may choose to specialize in annual crop, livestock, or orchard management. Program completion requires 98-128 contact hours.

The Land Stewardship for the Hobby Farmer Award track is comprised of 3 required core courses and 1 elective.

Required Core Courses (80 hours)

• AGMG-1070 Basic principles of sustainable agriculture (24 hours)
• HALT-1005 Introduction to Soil (32 Hours)
• AGCR-1070 Integrated Pest Management for Sustainable Agriculture (24 hours)

Eligible Electives (choose one, 18-48 hours)

• AGAH-1070 Sustainable Livestock Management (48 hours)
• AGCR-1094 Crops Science for Organic Agriculture (18 hours)

The Level One Sustainable Agriculture Certificate includes six required courses. The courses should be taken in sequence as they complement each other to provide the student a well-rounded introduction into soil health, crop production, hands on skills, and resource conservation.

• Time commitment: 2 Semesters
• Contact Hours: 368
• Tuition: $1700 excluding materials and fees

Required Courses

• AGCR-1071: Introduction to Sustainable Agriculture (48 hours)
• AGCR-2018: Soil Science (80 hours)
• AGCR-1093 Integrated Pest Management (48 hours)
• HALT-2021 Small Scale Farming (64 hours)
• AGME-1015 Farm and Ranch Shop Skills (48 hours)
• AGCR-2013 Soil and Water conservation Planning (48hours)

Students enrolled in the Sustainable Agriculture certificate will be tested on their knowledge and recieve grades. Students enrolled in the Hobby farm or green gardenaward will be graded pass or fail.

Introductory courses are offered in the Fall, and more in-depth courses are offered in the Spring. This is the recommended order to take courses in, though not absolutely required.

On the first day of class the instructor will go over necessary tools and equipment that you may need to provide, often this means work gloves and some hand tools.

We do not offer specific job placement, however, local farms and other food business contact us regularly when they are looking for help. We forward this information onto the students for follow up.

The sustainable Agriculture Certificate can be completed in two semesters. The Hobby Farmer certificate can also be completed in two semesters. Check the website for dates and times.

Tuition for Sustainable Agriculture Certificate classes range from ~$300 - ~$370 each, excluding materials and fees. Tuition for the Land Stewardship for the hobby farmer award classes range from ~$200 - $370, depending on the class, and excluding materials and fees.

To view pricing for each class:

1. Click on the class of interest from the webpage.
2. This will open a second page listing all active courses.
3. From there, click on the synonym number to view pricing information.

Many courses involve a fair amount of being on our feet, some repetitive activities, and being outside in hot and/or cold weather. There is some traversing uneven terrain and getting your hands immersed in soil and water.

The level One Sustainable Agriculture Certificate is comprehensive and introduces students to what it takes to begin their own small scale farm endeavors as potential producers or managers. Students may enter the sustainable agriculture field in a myriad of other possible careers such as garden educator, school farm coordinator, produce marketing, agricultural policy and food system advocates.

The program can also help students gear up towards pursuing higher education in agriculture such as moving on to four year programs and potentially becoming agricultural researchers, engineers, etc. Students wishing to further their learning for personal enrichment on the hobby scale are encouraged to explore our Land Stewardship for the Hobby Farmer Award and Green Gardener Award.

Students must always be prepared with closed toed shoes and weather appropriate clothing including a hat, gloves, sun and bug protection. A water bottle and pocket knife are also recommended.

You may attend each class once. If you need to change the section you are registered in, please notify the coordinator and instructor. If space is available, then the change will be made or you may take the class next time it is offered.

Students are welcome to enroll in only the courses which they are interested in.

Students may miss no more than three class periods per course.

Courses for the Sustainable Agriculture Certificate are located on the Elgin campus. All other courses are located online or at the Riverside campus.

Elgin Campus
1501 West U.S. Hwy. 290
Elgin, Texas 78621

View Campus Information