Urban Agriculture And Food Systems Training Course

Introduction

This comprehensive training course on Urban Agriculture and Food Systems provides participants with the knowledge and skills to integrate food production into urban areas, enhancing sustainability and community resilience. As cities grow, the need for localized, resilient, and environmentally sound food systems becomes increasingly critical. This training course will delve into the principles and practices of urban agriculture, exploring how to design and implement systems that address food security, promote ecological balance, and foster community engagement within urban environments.

This training course offers a thorough understanding of the methods used in urban agriculture, the strategies for developing sustainable urban food systems, and the policies that support urban food production. Participants will learn how to apply urban agriculture techniques in various urban settings, including rooftops, vertical farms, community gardens, and peri-urban areas. By the end of this training course, attendees will be equipped to design, implement, and manage urban agriculture projects that contribute to more sustainable, resilient, and food-secure cities.

Target Audience

• Urban planners
• Community developers
• Urban farmers
• Landscape architects
• Environmentalists
• City officials
• Sustainability officers

Course Objectives

• Understand the principles of urban agriculture.
• Learn techniques for various urban farming methods.
• Design sustainable urban food systems.
• Evaluate the role of policy in urban agriculture.
• Promote community engagement in urban food production.
• Analyze the benefits of urban agriculture.
• Develop strategies for overcoming challenges in urban agriculture.
• Integrate urban agriculture into urban planning.

DURATION

5 Days

Course Content

Module 1: Principles of Urban Agriculture

• Defining urban agriculture and its core principles
• History and evolution of urban agriculture
• Understanding the benefits of urban agriculture
• Exploring different types of urban agriculture
• The role of urban agriculture in sustainable cities

Module 2: Urban Farming Methods and Techniques

• Soil-based urban agriculture: container gardening, raised beds
• Soilless urban agriculture: hydroponics, aquaponics, aeroponics
• Vertical farming and rooftop gardens
• Community gardens and urban farms
• Integrating livestock and beekeeping in urban settings

Module 3: Designing Sustainable Urban Food Systems

• Site analysis and selection for urban agriculture
• Designing integrated urban food systems
• Optimizing resource use: water, energy, and waste
• Applying permaculture principles in urban agriculture
• Creating closed-loop systems in urban environments

Module 4: Urban Agriculture Policy and Planning

• The role of policy in supporting urban agriculture
• Zoning regulations and urban agriculture
• Developing urban agriculture master plans
• Integrating food production into urban planning
• Best practices in urban agriculture policy

Module 5: Community Engagement and Education

• Promoting community gardens and farms
• Developing educational programs for urban agriculture
• Engaging volunteers and building partnerships
• Creating food-focused community events
• Strategies for public awareness and outreach

Module 6: Benefits and Impacts of Urban Agriculture

• Improving urban food security and nutrition
• Enhancing environmental sustainability
• Promoting economic development
• Strengthening social connections
• Assessing the impacts of urban agriculture

Module 7: Challenges and Solutions in Urban Agriculture

• Addressing soil contamination and water scarcity
• Managing pests and diseases in urban settings
• Overcoming space limitations
• Navigating regulatory and zoning issues
• Developing strategies for long-term sustainability

Module 8: Integrating Urban Agriculture into Urban Planning

• Incorporating urban agriculture into city design
• Creating food-sensitive urban spaces
• Developing resilient urban food networks
• Planning for future food systems
• The future of urban agriculture in sustainable cities

Training Approach

This course will be delivered by our skilled trainers who have vast knowledge and experience as expert professionals in the fields. The course is taught in English and through a mix of theory, practical activities, group discussion and case studies. Course manuals and additional training materials will be provided to the participants upon completion of the training.

Tailor-Made Course

This course can also be tailor-made to meet organization requirement. For further inquiries, please contact us on: Email: info@skillsforafrica.org, training@skillsforafrica.org  Tel: +254 702 249 449

Training Venue

The training will be held at our Skills for Africa Training Institute Training Centre. We also offer training for a group at requested location all over the world. The course fee covers the course tuition, training materials, two break refreshments, and buffet lunch.

Visa application, travel expenses, airport transfers, dinners, accommodation, insurance, and other personal expenses are catered by the participant

Certification

Participants will be issued with Skills for Africa Training Institute certificate upon completion of this course.

Airport Pickup and Accommodation

Airport pickup and accommodation is arranged upon request. For booking contact our Training Coordinator through Email: info@skillsforafrica.org, training@skillsforafrica.org  Tel: +254 702 249 449

Terms of Payment: Unless otherwise agreed between the two parties’ payment of the course fee should be done 7 working days before commencement of the training.