NEW: Self-Paced Accreditation Course this August
Contact: Jeremy Pelletier, jeremy@ctnofa.org
The NOFA Organic Land Care Program is making some exciting changes to the Accreditation Course in Organic Land Care. In the last year, our move to online learning has come with a lot of unexpected changes – changes in the way we offer programming and, more importantly, changes in how students expect to receive an education. At the beginning of the pandemic, the quick shift to live zoom courses was largely out of necessity – and it worked as intended. Now, as we slowly return to our busy lives, it is more important than ever to continue offering flexible, online learning that is accessible to anyone, no matter their schedule.
We are proud to announce the new self-paced Accreditation Course in Organic Land Care. This new format allows you to learn on your own time, at any hour, to fit your schedule. This course will introduce you to the concepts of organic landscaping as defined by the NOFA Standards for Organic Land Care with subjects including soil science, stormwater management, organic lawn care, site design and analysis, compost and compost tea, invasive plant removal, and more. You can view the complete curriculum here.
Growing public awareness of pesticide use hazards and new legislation mandating less toxic and non-toxic alternatives are fueling a new market opportunity for professionals with knowledge of organic lawn, gardens, and landscape care. Our program allows clients to identify trained professionals who can help them to manage their land organically.
This credential, NOFA Accredited Organic Land Care Professional (AOLCP), tells consumers that you are following a set of guidelines with the NOFA Standards for Organic Land Care and that you belong to a recognized and credible accreditation program. There is an increasing demand by homeowners, municipalities, and private entities for organic practices on a wide variety of landscapes. This credential will demonstrate that you have professional competency in the area of organic landscaping and that you will protect the public interest in the responsible use of land care products and land resources.
• The respected AOLCP credential for use with potential clients and employers.
• Use of the NOFA Organic Land Care logo for promotional materials and websites.
• Discounts on other NOFA OLC courses and other affiliates gatherings.
• Networking with a community of highly trained organic professionals who know how to manage organic lawns, gardens, and landscapes.
• AOLCPs can be found by new clients via NOFA’s Organic Land Care search engine.
In addition to the self-paced curriculum, there will also be live sessions throughout the month of August with course instructors where you can ask questions, clarify concepts in the curriculum, and converse with your fellow students. We will also be offering optional master classes throughout the month as part of the course. Topics include permaculture design, sustainable purchasing and acquisition, and edible landscaping.
The NOFA Accreditation Course will be available to start on August 1st and will run through the entire month of August. Click here to learn more, email jeremy@ctnofa.org for more information, or register here.
Course fees: $500 ($400 for AOLCPs and their employees)
Course sign up deadline: Friday, July 30th at 10 pm