Austin Community College is launching Sustainable Agriculture Entrepreneurship, a new program that teaches skills to grow sustainable crops and bring them to market. The Continuing Education (non-credit) program will be taught at the new Elgin Campus, located on 98 acres on Highway 290.

Sustainable Agriculture Entrepreneurship will be taught at the new Elgin Campus.

“Whether you’re interested in a career in agriculture or just want a better backyard garden, these courses are for you,” says Sharon St. John, program coordinator. “Sustainable agriculture is the future of farming and gardening, and we’ve worked closely with industry professionals to ensure our curriculum reflects the latest practices in this emerging area.”

Students will learn all aspects of sustainable agriculture, crop production, and entrepreneurship, with three certificate programs available. Fall courses include Fundamentals of Soil Science, Introduction to Organic Crop Production, and Introduction to Sustainable Agriculture. ACC is exploring ways to partner with universities that offer agriculture programs.

“We’re seeing more and more demand for sustainably grown produce,” says Ronda Rutledge, executive director of Sustainable Food Center, who serves on the program’s advisory committee. “ACC has designed a program that makes the skills needed to produce these crops accessible and attainable, for both recreational growers and professionals.”

Sustainable Agriculture courses begin in September; registration is under way. For more information and to sign up, visit ACC’s Continuing Education webpage.