Sustainable Food Production Micro-Credential Program
Launching in December 2022
Fleming College is offering FREE micro-credential courses in Sustainable Food Production starting in November. These courses are open to anyone who would like to advance their skills in food production as well as those who work in the field of Agriculture and community-based food systems and are currently underemployed or unemployed and looking to enhance their skills.
Micro-credentials are an accessible method for people in this line of work to upgrade skills for a new position, grow through professional development, or simply participate in a refresher course. The format allows participants to upskill without taking a leave from career or family obligations to return to school.
Fleming’s Sustainable Food Production Micro-credential courses are part of a pilot program in partnership with City of Kawartha Lakes and Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development.
PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS
Micro-credentials are a series of short courses that provide specialized training within specific areas of a profession. Each course takes between 14 and 21 hours to complete. Fleming’s Sustainable Food Production micro-credentials are grouped into four different streams of learning:
- Foundations of Urban and Peri-urban Food Production Skills (SFPF)
- Advanced Urban and Peri-urban Food Production Skills (SFPA)
- Community-scaled Food Production (SFPC)
Learners can register for a course and earn an individual micro-credential upon successful completion, or they can choose to complete 6 courses within a learning stream (e.g. Community-scaled Food Production) and obtain a Micro-Credential Certificate for that stream. *Each micro-credential must be completed within the allotted 5 weeks*.
The columns below show what courses and streams are offered:
Urban & Peri-Urban Food Production Skills
| Foundations of Urban & Peri-urban Food Production Skills December 12 - January 20 Registration: November 7 - 25 | Advanced Urban & Peri urban Food Production Skills January 23 – February 24 Registration: December 5-23 |
|---|---|
| Sustainable Food Systems Design for Small Spaces (21 hrs) | Extending the Season: Techniques, Tools & Structures (14 hrs) |
| Growing Nutrient Dense Foods: Soils, Compost, Fertility (14 hrs) | Food Forest Design (21 hrs) |
| Sustainable Water Use & Garden Systems Design (14 hrs) | Urban and Peri-urban Livestock (14 hrs) |
| Planning Your Harvest: Seed Selection, Starting Seeds, Succession Planting (14 hrs) | Pollinators, Pollinator Gardens and Beekeeping (14 hrs) |
| Creating Balance: Strategies for Maintaining a Healthy Garden (14 hrs) | Growing and Saving Regionally Adapted Seed (14 hrs) |
| Preserving and Storing the Harvest (14 hrs) | Accessbile Garden Design for Home and Community Spaces (14 hrs) |
Community-based Food Production Skills
| February 27 – March 31 Registration: January 16 - February 10 |
|---|
| Diverse Community Food Partnerships (21 hrs) |
| Sustainable Food Systems Design for Diverse Community Spaces (21 hrs) |
| Scaling Up Community Food Production Systems - Garden planning, organization, Infrastructure and operation (21 hrs) |
| Indigenous Food Sytems: Community Engagment & Collaboration (21 hrs) |
| Community Food Distribution Systems and Food Safety (14 hrs) |
| Developing and Growing School Gardens (21 hrs) |
PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS
- 18 years of age or older
- Permanent Resident or Canadian Citizen
- Resident of Ontario
- Not currently enrolled in other education or training
REQUIREMENTS FOR ONLINE COURSES
A modern computer with secure, high-speed internet access OR access to a computer lab.
Software Requirements – Most courses require Microsoft Word or equivalent software, and some courses and online platforms have additional technical and/or software requirements. The cost of your course does not include software, but some courses offer free or trail software. If you plan on completing an online course using your workplace computer, please notify your IT department as some companies have security blocks to prevent software installation by users.
Basic Computer Skills – You will be required to save files, attach files to emails, participate in online discussion groups and, depending on your course, install software, create spreadsheets, and use multi-media.
At least three to five hours per course per week - for reading and writing to complete exercises and assignments. Some courses may require more time.
- Download: 10 mbps or greater
- Upload: 1 mbps or greater
- Ping: 40-50ms or less
You will need about three to five hours per week per course for reading and writing to complete exercises and assignments. Some courses may require more time.
HOW TO LOGIN TO D2L
To access a course in D2L, you will need to login to the Student Portal. You will find MYCOURSES (D2L) in the left sidebar.
Please note that it may take up to 24 hours for a course to appear after you have registered. If your course does not appear in MYCOURSES (D2L) within that time, please contact Fleming College IT Support for assistance.
TUITION
*Tuition for this pilot is free for qualified participants*
DELIVERY
Delivery for this program is Online Asynchronous.
Online asynchronous: This means the micro-credential course will be fully online. Asynchronous means the course is fully prepared with no specific class time. Students have the flexibility to log on in their own time to fit their schedule to complete the course requirements. There will be set due dates since there will be a required timeline the course must be completed in, but the learner can log in and work through the information and assignments on their own schedule within that period. Within the online asynchronous modules Students will be required to participate in hands-on activities, labs, workshops within their home and garden environment.
Learners can register and complete an individual micro-credential to earn a Statement of Recognition Certificate or they can choose to complete five courses within a learning stream, including any mandatory courses, (e.g. Community-Scaled Food Production) and earn a Statement of Achievement Certificate.
If you are interested in receiving more information about these courses, please click on the link and fill out the form here
EMPLOYERS
Are you an employer looking to increase the skill level and qualification of your workforce? We can provide training for your employees.
This initiative provides an opportunity to access free training for its existing workforce. Workers who are already employed within the field of agriculture can upgrade their skills through Fleming College.
Fleming is continuing to work with employers to identify skills gaps so that we can collectively build a stronger workforce for the future.
If you are an employer and would like more information, please contact:
Erika Carter
Project Coordinator
erika.carter@flemingcollege.ca
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