Sustainable Agriculture Certificate

Program Statement

Gain the academic knowledge and practical skills to enter the expanding world of sustainable organic agriculture and technology. The program is for those with an appreciation for the natural world, ecology, human health and welfare, and a spirit of entrepreneurship.

Program Information

• The program addresses the growing need to make food and agriculture production more local, sustainable, and ecologically sound.
• Students learn business and technical skills to pursue an organic agricultural enterprise.
• Hands-on experience gives students practical skills and connections in the agriculture community.

After Bristol

• The certificate provides graduates with a credential to pursue employment as a skilled technician in agricultural production, as a farm manager, or to develop their own agricultural enterprise. Graduates who also receive an Associate degree are eligible to join the U.S. Peace Corps as an international agricultural development volunteer or work with a nonprofit community development organization. Graduates may pursue an Associate of Science degree at the University of Massachusetts/Stockbridge or a bachelor's degree in Organic/Sustainable Agriculture at a number of four-year universities including University of Massachusetts Amherst, University of Rhode Island, University of Vermont, Green Mountain College (VT), and Sterling College (VT), and University of Maine.
• Students may also elect to pursue an Associate in Science in Life Sciences Sustainable Agriculture degree after completing their certificate. All Sustainable Agriculture certificate program courses apply to this degree.

Program Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this program, students will be able to: 

1. Analyze the current social, economic, and technical challenges and opportunities in sustainable food production by evaluating case studies and industry reports.
2. Evaluate the impacts of agriculture on natural resources, energy, the environment, and climate change, and propose at least three?? solutions for mitigating these impacts.
3. Demonstrate the ability to apply the scientific method and laboratory practices by conducting experiments and reporting findings according to standard scientific procedures.
4. Identify and operate diverse field, nursery, and processing equipment, and apply sampling techniques to collect data for analysis and decision-making.
5. Explain the scientific principles of soil physics, chemistry, and biology, and apply this knowledge to manage soil fertility, plant health, and food quality in a given agricultural context.
6. Apply fundamental plant science concepts, including taxonomy, physiology, and horticultural practices, to design and implement sustainable production systems.
7. Implement crop protection strategies using cultural, biological, and organic practices to prevent and manage weeds, diseases, and pests, and assess their effectiveness.
8. Plan agricultural production and rotation systems, maintain accurate records, and create crop enterprise budgets to make informed decisions in agricultural production and marketing.