Non-Credit Sustainable Agriculture

The program takes a unique approach to instruction by using successful farmers as the main instructors. The classes are hands on with field trips to local farms and related businesses and are scheduled to accommodate the working student. The Land Lab has been developed as a research and demonstration facility for sustainable agriculture practices, as well as an outdoor classroom for hands-on instruction in horticulture and other agricultural disciplines.

Students have the opportunity to take courses in a variety of subjects including Medicinal Herbs, Organic Vegetable Production, Sustainable Cut Flower production and Sustainable Poultry Production, as well as Biofuels, alternative energy and sustainable building.

History

The Sustainable Farming Program at Central Carolina Community College grew out of a desire to address the needs of the farm community in Chatham County and the surrounding Piedmont region of NC. Initiated by local growers in 1996, the program quickly formed into a one-of-a-kind collaboration of farmers, community members, Central Carolina Community College, NC Cooperative Extension Service, Carolina Farm Stewardship Association, American Livestock Breeds Conservancy, R.E.A.L. Enterprises, NC A&T University and NC State University.