Login

Certificate Components

There are two basic components of the Certificate of International Training in Agroecology: 
Practical Training and Academic Learning

Although you are invited to sign up for any individual sections of the program, in order to obtain the certificate all requirements must be met as outlined below:  

1. On-farm practical training-

CITA Stewards work in their home country and on MESA-affiliated farms abroad for a total of 480 combined hours.

  • Training in your own country*
    • Learn about your local food system through hands-on work
    • Exchange ideas and skills with farmers in your own community
    • 120 hours minimum training required here
  • Training abroad
    • Train with MESA alumni and partners around the globe
    • Become a part of a worldwide network of sustainable farmers
    • Experience food systems based on traditional agroecological practices
    • 120 hours minimum training required here** 
 2. Academic coursework-

Two 12-week courses

  • Introductory Topics in Agroecology and Sustainable Food Systems
    • Agroecology in theory and practice with possible topics covered: Integrated Pest Management (IPM), rotational grazing, soil conservation, irrigation/water, cover crops, crop/landscape diversity, nutrient management, agro-forestry, business/marketing
    • Historical analysis and cultural reflection on the current food crisis
  • Agroecology: A Global Context
    • Learn strategies and impacts of agroecological methods around the globe
    • Research regional challenges to food sovereignty and global perspectives on sustainable agriculture
    • 4-weeks of this course is focused on field work and accompanies practical training program abroad**

notebook_peru_0.jpg

*Stewards who have completed domestic (home country) farm training prior to beginning their CITA program may be able to use their experience to fulfill this CITA component.

**Stewards in the Pilot Winter 2011 program will be completing both international farm training component (meets the 120 hour minimum) and this 4-week portion of the "Agroecology: A Global Context" course. Further coursework required for a CITA will be available, Winter 2012.

 

Please contact michelle [at] mesaprogram [dot] org (subject: CITA%20components) (MESA) if you have any questions regarding these requirements.