City farming and playing in the dirt come to Clairmont and its expansive new urban garden plot. The new Urban Agriculture certificate being offered at the college is exclusive to CCC's Horticulture Department. State certification has boosted the value of completion in the program, which gives students access to a career in sustainable farming and hands on experience in the field.
The new certificate offered at Clackamas allows students to gain the knowledge to own and operate their own small scale farms. The certificate program was approved at the CCC Board of Education meeting in April and is the only one of its kind offered in the state of Oregon. The program focuses on ecological systems and sustainability practices, while using organic production principles.
"Basically I want to do it, that's what I want to do. I want to farm on a small scale," said Tonia Lordy, horticulture student. "I'm excited that the school offers something. There's no other community college in the area at all that offers this Urban [Agriculture] Program."
Graduates of the program will enter the farming community with not only knowledge to run their own farms, but they will have connections to already existing farmers according to Elizabeth Howley, the horticulture department chair.
"It's important they meet their fellow peers in the industry," said Howley. "The purpose is to have the training for the students who desire, and have a passion to become farmers, to get the training."
Students are trained in many aspects of urban farming explained Howley. They learn when to plant and harvest as well as what fruits and vegetables are more profitable as cash crops. They are taught the business side of being an urban farmer and they get trained in the use of power and hand tools. Many of the classes offered also have a lab component which allows Clackamas students to have the opportunity to learn more about organic systems and production methods.
"We had classes start in the fall, but a lot of students held off until it was state certified," said Bruce Nelson, horticulture instructor. "This is a half-acre plot right here, and they're hopefully learning the basics of growing vegetables."
The community gardens close to Clairmont have been designated as a new urban farm site. Students get to put their hands in the dirt and get a real idea of what farming is all about. Right now only half of the plot is being used to plant; next year the department is hoping to plot the second half, explained Nelson.
"I would say it puts Clackamas on the map. It seems like it would help home gardeners like me, and people like you who want to get into this," said Trista Cornelius, English instructor. "If it means cities and countries could grow their own food, it would cut down on our carbon footprint."
Cornelius teaches Humanities-170, a class called Metamorphoses, which is strictly all about food and the American food system. The class teaches the benefits of urban agriculture on a local scale.
The certificate can be completed in four terms and classes are offered every term except during the summer; however there are cooperative works hours that are offered during the summer. Students may begin the program fall, winter or spring term. Classes include food production, organic farming, farm equipment, food harvest and fruit and berry growing. The horticulture department also offers other certificates in horticulture, plant health care, landscape practices and irrigation technician. They also offer associates degrees in horticulture and landscaping.
