Get Accredited
Enroll in an Accreditation Course
The Accreditation Course in Organic Land Care is offered in multiple formats to meet the needs of our wide professional audience. Courses in all formats lead to accreditation.
Online Learning
An online, asynchronous learning course allows working professionals to participate on their own schedule and from different regions. Each course runs for approximately 6 weeks and includes opportunities to meet over video call with experts and OLC staff. An online exam is given at the end of the course.
Coursework and the exam are completed at one’s own pace but must be completed within the 5-6 week course period. Students should expect to spend a minimum of 5 hours per week on the course work.
In-Person Learning
In-person courses are offered periodically in different regions with participation from a partner organization. In-person courses may run for 3 or 4 consecutive days, allowing face-to-face learning and interaction with instructors and peers. The exam is taken online after completion of the course.
Hybrid Learning
A new hybrid course, pairing asynchronous learning with live instruction, is in development. Check back for details, or join our mailing list for monthly updates.
In-Person Accreditation
In-person courses are offered periodically with participation of a local partner organization. Check back or join our mailing list for updates.
If you represent an organization wanting to partner with OLC to bring this course to your area, please contact OLC Program Director Jennifer Shaffer.
Registration
No in-person courses are scheduled at this time. Please check back or join our monthly mailing list for updates. If you are interested in taking an in-person training course, you may also click below to provide your contact information and region. This helps us gauge regional interest in future in-person course locations, and we’ll contact you if training comes to your area!
Online Accreditation
The online, asynchronous learning course allows working professionals to achieve accreditation on their own schedule. Each online course runs for about 6 weeks, during which students work at their own pace to complete the learning and have optional weekly meetings with instructors and OLC staff. Course start and end dates are listed below.
Registration
The course fee is $500 for new participants and $400 for AOLCP employees.
For questions about registration or to claim your AOLCP discount, please email Program Director, Jennifer Shaffer.
The Organic Land Care Accreditation Course applies principles of organic agriculture to the landscapes where most of us live our daily lives. The knowledge and perspective gained from this accreditation course allow us to contribute more to the natural world we love, to enhance the beauty and the resilience of these landscapes.
— Dina Brewster
Why Should I Earn This Credential?
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 word ‘organic’ is not regulated in landscape and land care practices as it is with agriculture. For this reason, it is important to earn this credential from a reputable organization, in this case following the NOFA Standards for Organic Land Care.
Course graduates benefit from:
- 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.
Sample Course Curriculum
Site Analysis, Design, and Maintenance (Mike Nadeau)
Soils (Paul Wagner)
Compost & Compost Tea (Monique Bosch)
Invasive Plant Control (Mike Nadeau)
Mulches (Mike Nadeau)
Lawn Alternatives (Mike Nadeau)
Pest Management (Dan Dalton)
Tree Care (Dan Dalton)
Stormwater Management (Trevor Smith)
Organic Lawn Care (Tom Barry)
Business and Marketing Organic Services (Frank Crandall)