Sustainable Agriculture

Career Studies Certificate

PURPOSE: With the rapid growth in planning, production, and marketing of organically produced foods, there is an increasing need for qualified personnel trained in sustainable agriculture and organic food production methods. The Career Studies Certificate in Sustainable Agriculture is designed for persons interested in producing food crops for personal consumption or for sale to the public through farmers’ markets and other direct-to-consumer marketing strategies.

OCCUPATIONAL OBJECTIVES: Owner/operator of a food crop production business, including the production of food crops for specialty markets, e.g., restaurants, farmer’s markets, herb producers, and pick-your-own operations; managing entry-level workers at other food production businesses; growing products to create secondary products (value added); and planning and growing food crops to be used for personal consumption

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS: General college curricular admission

GAINFUL EMPLOYMENT DISCLOSURE INFORMATION: Please see http://www.reynolds.edu/curriculum/gainful-employment-html/ge_info_221-335-06.html to access gainful employment disclosure information for this program.

COURSE	TITLE	LEC. HRS.	LAB. HRS.	CRS. CRE.
HRT 110	Principles of Horticulture	3	0	3
HRT 130	Introduction to Biointensive Mini-Farming	3	0	3
HRT 134	Four Season  Food Production	3	0	3
HRT 238	Growing for Market  Mini-Farming	2	2	3
HRT 239	Complete Diet Mini-Farming	3	0	3
HRT 1901	Coordinated Internship	0	5	1
TOTAL		14	7	16
Total Minimum Credits for Career Studies Certificate in Sustainable Agriculture				16

03.16.15

¹ Students who have already completed HRT 290, Coordinated Internship, a requirement for the AAS degree in Horticulture Technology, will be able to substitute that course for HRT 190.

HORTICULTURE

HRT 106 Practical Horticulture (1 cr.)

Provides practical experience in landscape construction equipment operations and maintenance. Laboratory 2 hours per week.

HRT 110 Principles of Horticulture (3 cr.)

Introduces concepts of plant growth and development. Covers horticultural practices, crops, and environmental factors affecting plant growth. Lecture 3 hours per week.

HRT 115 Plant Propagation (3 cr.)

Teaches principles and practices of plant propagation. Examines commercial and home practices. Provides experience in techniques using seed-spores, cuttings, grafting, budding, layering, and division. Lecture 2 hours. Laboratory 2 hours. Total 4 hours per week.

HRT 119 Irrigation Systems for Turf and Ornamentals (3 cr.)

Explains why, when, and how irrigation systems are used by the grounds management industry. Includes component selection, system design, installation, operation, and maintenance. Lecture 2 hours. Laboratory 2 hours. Total 4 hours per week.

HRT 120 History of Garden Design (3 cr.)

Studies the development of gardens as they chronicle the development of civilization. Introduces the periods, in both Europe and North America, beginning with settlement and on through industrial development and land and space utilization to current environmental concerns. Explores physical and cultural influences on garden design and utilization. Lecture 3 hours per week.

HRT 121 Greenhouse Crop Production I (3 cr.)

Examines commercial practices related to production of floriculture crops. Considers production requirements, environmental control and management, and cultural techniques affecting production of seasonal crops. Lecture 2 hours. Laboratory 2 hours. Total 4 hours per week.

HRT 122 Greenhouse Crop Production II (3 cr.)

Continues commercial practices related to production of floriculture crops. Considers production requirements, environmental control and management, and cultural techniques. Lecture 2 hours. Laboratory 2 hours. Total 4 hours per week.

HRT 125 Chemicals in Horticulture (3 cr.)

Emphasizes basic chemical principles and their application to horticulture. Introduces principles of inorganic and organic chemicals. Studies chemical activities of insecticides, fungicides, herbicides, fertilizers, and growth regulators. Provides students an opportunity to test for their Commercial Pesticide Applicators License, administered by VDACS, at the end of the course. Lecture 2 hours. Laboratory 2 hours. Total 4 hours per week.

HRT 126 Home Landscaping (3 cr.)

Studies current approaches to improving home landscapes. Emphasizes planning, proper implementation, and landscape maintenance. Lecture 3 hours per week.

HRT 127 Horticultural Botany (3 cr.)

Studies taxonomy, anatomy, morphology, physiology, and genetics of plants as applied to identification, propagation, and culture. Lecture 2 hours. Laboratory 2 hours. Total 4 hours per week.

HRT 130 Introduction to Biointensive Mini-farming (3 cr.)

Familiarizes students, through lecture and demonstration, with small-scale food production by gardening. Covers the basics of composting and organic vegetable gardening using biointensive methods. Lecture 3 hours per week.

HRT 134 Four Season Food Production (3 cr.)

Familiarizes students with organic small-scale food production through lecture and demonstration. Includes seed saving, cover crops, and gardening planning. Lecture 3 hours per week.

HRT 135 Training for Commercial Pesticide Application (3 cr.)

Introduces students to the principles and practices for safe pesticide usage as required by law in the state of Virginia. Prepares students for the official tests administered by VDACS (Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services). Lecture 3 hours per week.

HRT 150 Theory of Landscape Design (3 cr.)

Presents the theoretical aspects of landscape planning and design. Uses theory to analyze and solve design problems. Lecture 3 hours per week.

HRT 190 Coordinated Internship in Horticulture (1 cr.)

Provides supervised on-the-job training in selected business, industrial, or service firms in the horticulture industry coordinated by the college. Laboratory 5 hours per week.

HRT 201 Landscape Plant Materials I (3 cr.)

Studies landscape use of plants. Considers ornamental value, growth habit, identification, and limitations. Focuses on trees and shrubs. Part I of II. Lecture 2 hours. Laboratory 2 hours. Total 4 hours per week.

HRT 202 Landscape Plant Materials II (3 cr.)

Studies landscape use of plants. Considers ornamental value, growth habit, identification, and limitations. Focuses on trees and shrubs. Part II of II. Lecture 2 hours. Laboratory 2 hours. Total 4 hours per week.

HRT 205 Soils (3 cr.)

Teaches theoretical and practical aspects of soils and other growing media. Examines media components, chemical and physical properties, and soil organisms. Discusses management and conservation. Lecture 2 hours. Laboratory 2 hours. Total 4 hours per week.

HRT 226 Greenhouse Management (3 cr.)

Discusses the theoretical and applied practices of managing a greenhouse facility. Emphasizes greenhouse construction and design, environmental control, energy conservation, and related topics. Lecture 2 hours. Laboratory 2 hours. Total 4 hours per week.

HRT 227 Professional Landscape Management (3 cr.)

Focuses on basic practices and techniques involving landscape management. Includes development of a year-round management calendar and preparation of bid and contract proposals. Lecture 2 hours. Laboratory 2 hours. Total 4 hours per week.

HRT 231 Planting Design I (3 cr.)

Applies landscape theory and principles of drawing to the planning of residential and small-scale commercial landscape designs. Lecture 2 hours. Laboratory 2 hours. Total 4 hours per week.

HRT 232 Planting Design II (3 cr.)

Applies landscape theory and principles of drawing to the planning of large-scale landscape designs. Lecture 2 hours. Laboratory 2 hours. Total 4 hours per week.

HRT 235 Landscape Drawing (3 cr.)

Teaches students the use of drafting equipment. Emphasizes drawing techniques and use of media. Includes hardline and freestyle landscape drawing. Lecture 2 hours. Laboratory 2 hours. Total 4 hours per week.

HRT 238 Growing for Market Mini-farming (3 cr.)

Focuses on development of a marketing plan for mini-farm items offered for sale to the public, retail, and wholesale. Includes hands-on experience in double-digging, planting, crop testing, and utilization of compost. Prerequisite: HRT 130 or permission of instructor. Lecture 2 hours. Laboratory 2 hours. Total 4 hours per week.

HRT 239 Complete Diet Mini-farming (3 cr.)

Considers biointensive methods by which food can be grown for personal or family consumption, emphasizing high nutritional yield in relatively small areas. Focuses on the development of a garden plan that includes vegetable and root crops and grains used for food and composting. Prerequisite: HRT 130 or permission of instructor. Lecture 3 hours per week.

HRT 249 Perennial Plants (3 cr.)

Considers the perennial plants used in the landscape. Includes site selection and evaluation for perennial culture, perennial plant selection, perennial culture under various environmental conditions, taxonomic identification, and control of insects and diseases. Lecture 2 hours. Laboratory 2 hours. Total 4 hours per week.

HRT 259 Arboriculture (3 cr.)

Studies the techniques of tree care. Covers surgery, pruning, insect and disease recognition and control, fertilization, cabling, and lightning rod installation. Lecture 2 hours. Laboratory 2 hours. Total 4 hours per week.

HRT 260 Introduction to Floral Design (3 cr.)

Teaches skills required for the composition of basic table arrangements. Includes the history of design styles, identification of flowers and greens, identification and use of equipment, and conditioning and handling of flowers. Lecture 2 hours. Laboratory 2 hours. Total 4 hours per week.

HRT 266 Advanced Floral Design (3 cr.)

Teaches skills required for composition of traditional floral designs and contemporary floral designs. Includes wedding, funeral, and special occasion designs and the use of exotic florals to create arrangement styles, such as Japanese, European, and Williamsburg. Prerequisite: HRT 260. Lecture 2 hours. Laboratory 2 hours. Total 4 hours per week.

HRT 268 Advanced Floral Design Applications (3 cr.)

Teaches skills required for the composition of large floral arrangements. Includes wedding, funeral, and special occasion designs for the home as well as public areas. Includes use of dried and silk flowers for special occasions. Lecture 2 hours. Laboratory 2 hours. Total 4 hours per week.

HRT 269 Professional Turf Care (3 cr.)

Covers turfgrass identification, selection, culture, propagation, and pest control. Surveys commercial turf care operations and use of common equipment. Lecture 2 hours. Laboratory 2 hours. Total 4 hours per week.

HRT 275 Landscape Construction and Maintenance (3 cr.)

Examines practical applications of commercial landscape construction techniques and materials used. Covers construction, planting, and maintenance. Lecture 2 hours. Laboratory 2 hours. Total 4 hours per week.

HRT 285 Management of a Horticultural Business (3 cr.)

Studies the business and selling practices which relate to wholesale and retail horticultural businesses, including garden centers, greenhouses, nurseries, and flower shops. Examines planning and layout, suppliers, merchandising, maintenance, and display of horticultural items. Accounting and bookkeeping requirements, personnel management and hiring practices will also be examined. Lecture 2 hours. Laboratory 2 hours. Total 4 hours per week.

HRT 290 Coordinated Internship in Horticulture (2 cr.)

Provides students an opportunity for on-the-job training in selected business, industrial, or service firms coordinated by the college for a total of 160 contact hours, regardless of the length of the term. Student commitment is 160 hours regardless of the semester enrolled. Laboratory 10 hours per week (if a 16-week term).

HRT 295 Topics in Horticulture: Sports Turf Management (3 cr.)

Addresses the scientific principles for the establishment and maintenance of intensely-managed turfgrass for golf courses and athletic fields. Topics include seeding, sprigging, sodding, irrigation, fertilization, weed identification and control, insect identification and control, fungus identification and control, drainage, and mowing. Also covers critical tasks for constructing recreational turfgrass facilities. Lecture 2 hours. Laboratory 2 hours. Total 4 hours per week.

HRT 295 Topics in Horticulture: Sustainable Landscape Design (3 cr.)

Exposes students to the concept of "Sustainable Landscape Design" as presented by the Sustainable Sites Initiative. Studies the Sustainable Sites Initiative, which provides a strong foundation for understanding the requirements as related to site design for LEED certification. Lecture 3 hours per week.

Name	Program	Email	Phone
David Seward	Sustainable Agriculture CSC	DSeward@reynolds.edu	804/523-5946

 

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 Bright Outlook occupations are expected to have rapid growth over the next 10-years (employment increase of 10% or more in the Richmond, MSA over the period of 2018-2028) or are expected to have a high demand (projected to have 750 or more job openings in the Richmond, MSA over the period of 2018-2028).

 "Green occupations will likely change as a result of the green economy. Green economy activities and technologies are increasing the demand for occupations, shaping the work and worker requirements needed for occupational performance, or generating new and emerging occupations." -- O*NET

¹ This program may prepare you for one or more of the listed jobs; however, graduates may not be qualified for all of the jobs listed in this section.

Reynolds Community College makes every attempt to provide students with the best, most accuarate information possible. The data was sourced from external agencies (O*NET and JobsEQ) on August 15, 2018.