St. Lawrence College
Part Time Studies
Online Credit
(OntarioLearn)

Program Description

This certificate explores the practices, principles and philosophies involved in local food system development. The focus is on increasing both academic and hands-on knowledge of regional food initiatives across Canada, alongside international best practices. There is a specific concentration on applied learning, online networking, and community research. This certificate is the first of its kind in Canada, providing a cutting edge advantage when competing for work in the sustainable local food sector.

Participants are welcome to take any individual courses they like.  For the certificate, you will need to complete the 6 required courses.

Human Ecology of Food Systems
 .

Who is this program meant for?
The courses and certificate are designed for people who are:

• Working, or hoping to work (as professionals and volunteers) directly in local food system development in communities and regions across Canada
• Wanting to learn more about this important area of sustainable development
• Interested in a systems approach to sustainable food and farming
• Engaged by practical examples and innovative models, and critical analysis of food systems, informed by leading concepts and ideas
• Independent learners
• Excited about working in an online community environment that will facilitate new networks across the country while allowing participants to work from home with a flexible study schedule.

Certificate Requirements

COURSE CODE	SEC#	COURSE NAME	DATES	FEE	CATEGORIES
Core Courses
CSSL 26	450	Field to Fork: Introduction to local and Global Food Systems.	Sep 10 - Dec 17	$343.20	Social Sciences, Sustainability, Personal Development
CSSL 33	450	Food System Trends & Policy	Sep 10 - Dec 17	$343.20	Social Sciences, Sustainability, Personal Development
CSSL 29	450	Understanding Sustainable Farming: Principles and Practices	Sep 10 - Dec 17	$343.20	Social Sciences, Sustainability, Personal Development
CSSL 31	450	Between Farm and Table: Local Food Businesses and Cooperatives	Sep 10 - Dec 17	$343.20	Social Sciences, Sustainability, Personal Development
CSSL 28	450	Food Security and Food Justice	Sep 10 - Dec 17	$343.20	Social Sciences, Sustainability, Personal Development
CSSL 30	450	Urban Agriculture and Community Gardens	Sep 10 - Dec 17	$343.20	Social Sciences, Sustainability, Personal Development

What can you do with this certificate?

Those who take this program will be participating in the first of its kind in Canada, and will thus have access to hitherto ungathered information and models.  This will provide a cutting edge advantage when for competing for the dozens of local food jobs emerging each month in communities from coast to coast. 

The range of jobs and contracts in the conventional and organic food system continues to grow. It includes opportunities in:

• Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) working on food issues
• Farm organizations, conventional and organic
• Economic development organizations
• Government – municipal, provincial, federal (agriculture and food, trade, natural resources, environment, health, policy, etc)
• The corporate sector, including food processors, distributors, retailers and industry associations
• Public health and food security, including Public Health departments, food banks, and meal providers
• Media and communications organizations, print and online
• Education, including schools, education centres and training programs