Urban Agriculture Courses

August 17, 2010, Toronto - Starting in Fall 2010, Ryerson University’s G. Raymond Chang School of Continuing Education will be offering a course series through online learning in urban agriculture as part the Certificate in Food Security. Students who complete the course series will receive official documentary acknowledgement from the university. The four courses that make up the series are: 

Understanding Urban Agriculture (CVFN410) offered in Fall 2010

Urban Agriculture Policy-Making (CVFN413) offered in Fall 2010

Urban Agriculture Types (CVFN412) offered in Winter 2011

Dimensions of Urban Agriculture (CVFN411) offered in Spring/Summer 2011 

The series will provide students with a comprehensive picture of current practices in urban agriculture and the environmental, socio-economic and political challenges that must be addressed to support them. Students will not only gain in-depth knowledge of the technical aspects of urban agriculture but also of the policy dimensions and governance issues that must be taken into account for development of effective urban agriculture systems. The thematic focus of the course series is to demonstrate the importance and value of urban agriculture as an integral part of planning and development for sustainable, food-secure and healthy urban environments.

The urban agriculture courses are also electives for the Certificate in Food Security and can be used by students as part of their course requirement for completing the certificate.

The courses have been developed in a unique international ongoing partnership between The Chang School and the International Network of Resource Centres on Urban Agriculture and Food Security (RUAF) in the Netherlands, a global leader in urban agriculture research and development (http://www.ruaf.org/). The instructors for the course series are based in Canada, Lebanon, and the Netherlands and bring a wide range of local and international knowledge and experience to the courses.

For more information about the course series in urban agriculture, please contact the academic coordinator for the Food Security Program, Reg Noble, at food@ryerson.ca, or visit www.ryerson.ca/ce/ua.

About The G. Raymond Chang School of Continuing Education, Ryerson University

Ryerson University’s G. Raymond Chang School of Continuing Education (www.ryerson.ca/ce) is Canada’s foremost provider of university-based adult education, facilitating access to the University’s renowned, professionally relevant courses and programs. Since 1975, we have been delivering leading-edge workplace knowledge that empowers learners to reach their personal and professional goals. We have approximately 70,000 annual enrollments (in more than 1,400 courses) in Arts; Business; Communication and Design; Community Services; Engineering, Architecture, and Science; Gateway for International Professionals; and Programs for 50+. We also offer 77 career-related certificate programs and numerous course series. Our flexible, accessible programming is available on campus, via distance education, and off-site for employee groups. The expertise of our Digital Education Strategies unit – an innovative leader in online learning – has been recognized by the National University Telecommunications Network and the Canadian Network for Innovation in Education.