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| The SU Ag Center's Sustainable Urban Agriculture Certification Program provides hands-on experience to individuals who are interested in learning how to farm in small spaces. |
Baton Rouge, La. – Approximately 15 individuals
are participating in the Southern University Ag Center’s Sustainable Urban
Agriculture Certification Program.
One of the trainings was held Monday,
August 20 at BREC’s Howell Community Park in Baton Rouge in conjunction with
Baton Roots Community Farm.
During the training, which was the third
session of the certification’s five-week training, participants received
hands-on training on rainwater harvest, rain barrel construction, hydroponics
systems, and an introduction to the use of drones in agriculture.
The intensive training series teaches
participants how to use sustainable agricultural practices in an urban
environment; with hands-on experience.
“This certification program teaches
individuals who live in urban and rural areas how to be sustainable farmers by
using the resources they have around them to farm in small spaces, rather than
large open fields,” said Marlon Ford, Ph.D., Urban Agricultural Specialist and
program coordinator. “There are many communities that are food deserts with no
access to fresh produce or farmers markets. This training provides individuals
with the skills they need to grow their own vegetables and fruit organically,” added
Ford.
“The goal for us at the Southern
University Ag Center is to not only provide our participants with the skills to
help their families eat healthier but we what our participants to share what
they have learned with others in their communities,” expressed Ford.
Additional topics that will be covered
during the series will include: Permaculture and the Environment; Irrigation
and Composting; Small Scale Agriculture; Animal Husbandry: Poultry, Bees and
Worms; Vertical Farming; Maximizing the Use of Land Resources and
Infrastructure; Working with City Government within City Ordinances;
Construction Techniques, Hoop Houses, Raised Beds; Organic and Sustainable
Production and Combatting Diseases and Man-Made Threats.
The training was facilitated by Mila
Berhane, Senior Research Associate and Dr. Marlon Ford, Urban Agricultural
Specialist. Each class will be led by experts and professors from the SU Ag
Center.
The training began on August 6 and will
conclude with a graduation ceremony on September 3.
To date, the SU Ag Center has held
Sustainable Urban Agriculture Certification programs in St. Landry, East Baton
Rouge, and Livingston Parish, Rapides, Avoyelles, and Natchitoches Parishes.
The Baton Roots Community Farm is a
program which provides an opportunity for the Baton Rouge community to learn sustainable
agricultural practices on an urban farm. It was developed by The Walls Project
to inspire health and wellness among all ages through hands-on gardening with
an artistic environment.
For additional information about the
Sustainable Urban Agriculture Certification Program, contact Dr. Marlon Ford at
marlin_ford@suagcenter.com.
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http://www.suagcenter.com/
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