The Sustainable and Organic Food Production Certificate of Achievement prepares students to become good horticulturists through the understanding of organic and sustainable food production, in ground organic agriculture, and controlled environment agriculture. Students learn about the process of organic certification, laws and regulations, managing soil health, organic practices for pest management, planting schedules, and cover cropping. Students explore controlled environment agriculture practices such as hydroponics, substrate production, aquaponics, and greenhouse environments. The certificate also explores sustainability practices and water use.
The certificate prepares students for career opportunities in agriculture and agricultural business, including organic food production on small and/or large farms, plant breeders, irrigation specialists, pest control advisors, county agriculture inspectors, greenhouse growers, and more.
A total of 25-30 part-time and full-time students are expected to enroll with potential for annual growth. Completion rates of the certificate of achievement are expected to be five to ten per year with a potential for annual growth.
Cabrillo College is seeking approval from the Chancellor’s Office for the new Sustainable and Organic Food Production Certificate of Achievement in Career Technical Education. The horticulture program is designed to train and educate students to work in the fields of general horticulture, sustainable and organic food production, ornamental and decorative plant production agriculture and soil science, arboriculture, permaculture, greenhouse and nursery management, landscape design, landscape installation, and maintenance.
The need for horticulture certificates and degrees has been advocated for by local, regional, and national governments and consortiums and supported by current, regional labor market research (TOP 0109.00). The horticulture program is aligned with Cabrillo’s mission, master plan, and statewide community college work in Guided Pathways. Approval of this program will benefit regional employers, fulfill horticulture and crop production needs of the local community, augment college enrollment, and support non-traditional and underserved minority students in a viable career and academic path. This program would give our students the knowledge and skills they need to work towards additional certificates or a degree and/or excel in the workforce. The goal is for certificate completers to be gainfully employed or continue with an associates degree. Working with employers to identify earning potential is promising, with potential for a starting salary of $39,000-$45,000/yr in jobs such as organic crop producer, ornamental crop producer, horticulturist, landscaper, agriculture laborer, and maintenance worker. A labor market analysis indicates there is a large labor market gap in the Bay region with 1,300 annual openings for the General Horticulture, Crop Production, and Sustainable Agriculture occupational cluster and 71 annual (3-year average) awards for an annual undersupply of 7,200 students. In the SC-Monterey Sub-Region, there is also a gap in annual job openings and few annual (3-year average) awards for an annual undersupply of 1,292 students.
26 units of required coursework in the horticulture department.
The certificates and degrees include work experience education allowing students to practically apply what they have learned to work experience and internships locally.
The horticulture department is also partnering with local and state universities to develop degrees that onboard directly into a 4-year degree program. These are currently offered in agricultural plant sciences and an agricultural business program is being developed with the goal of expanding offerings.
Course | Title | Units | Year/Semester (Y1 or S1) |
---|---|---|---|
HORT1A | Basic Horticulture | 4.00 | S1 |
HORT2 | Soil Science | 4.00 | S1 |
HORT70 | Organic Agriculture | 4.00 | S1 |
HORT71 | Organic Food Production I | 4.00 | S2 |
HORT150 | Pest Management | 4.00 | S1 |
HORT125 | Hydroponic and Soil Substrate | 3.00 | S2 |
HORT99 | Horticulture Work Experience | 1.00 | S2 |
HORT140A | Intro to Berry Production | 1.00 | S3 |
HORT140B | Intermediate Berry Production | 1.00 | S3 |
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