The Urban Agriculture Certificate Program offers biweekly classes throughout the growing season, from May to October. Over 12 sessions, participants will receive advanced training in urban agriculture, building on existing gardening knowledge and enhancing practical skills.
This program is designed for intermediate gardeners and urban farmers who already have experience with basic gardening practices and are looking to deepen their understanding of urban agroecology. Whether you’re looking to transform your property into an edible garden, manage a community garden, or grow food in an urban setting, this program will equip you with the knowledge and tools to expand your farming practice.

A unique and hands-on aspect of this program is the opportunity for students to co-manage a portion of the Loyola Farm space. Students will form small groups and collaboratively develop a schedule to manage farm tasks outside of class time. Students can invest as much or as little time as they’re able to, ensuring flexibility to fit their schedules. At the beginning of the course, groups will discuss and agree on the necessary tasks to accomplish between lessons, from planting and weeding to maintaining the infrastructure. This cooperative approach fosters teamwork, encourages hands-on learning, and provides a fun and engaging way to immerse yourself in urban farming.

As part of the immersive experience, students will harvest fresh produce from their shared farm space as it ripens and take home weekly baskets filled with their harvest, allowing them to directly apply their learning and enjoy the fruits of their labour. This ongoing connection between classroom instruction and real-world practice provides a comprehensive, practical, and enjoyable way to learn about urban agroecology