WCC Program Offered at Hilltop Hanover Farm

                         Farming Certificate
at Hilltop Hanover Farm

                  Sign Up for “Agriculture, Business and
Marketing” class

As part of the Center for Green Living and Professional Training, Westchester Community
College and Hilltop Hanover Farm & Environmental Center continue to offer a
program in Sustainable Vegetable Production at the Farm. Student are now being
accepted for the next class  - “Agriculture, Business and Marketing” -beginning on Tuesday, January 14.

In the
United States more than an acre of farm land and is lost every minute of every
day, most of these are family farms. Not
only are we losing farmland we are losing farmers.  The average age of a farmer is 57 and with no
one to pass on this knowledge how will be growing food to feed our community
today and tomorrow.   There is a real need to educate new farmers, many
of whom will be growing in urban and suburban areas, farming is the ultimate
green job.  Westchester Community College and the Friends
of Hilltop Hanover Farm Inc. have formed a partnership to fill this very
compelling unmet need in our region.

If you are interested in becoming a vegetable farmer, have a passion for sustainable agriculture, or simply want to improve
your own produce growing skills, this exciting program is for you.  The certificate curriculum FARMING TO THE “BEET”
will be composed of core courses (45 hours), electives (18 hours), community
service (16 hours) and a final exam. 
Full-time students can complete the program in two semesters.

All classes
take place at Westchester County’s beautiful Hilltop Hanover Farm, 1271 Hanover Street, Yorktown Heights, New York, 10598.  This 187-acre farm is owned by the County of Westchester and is operated in cooperation with a not-for-profit friends group.  The farm includes a five-acre commercial crop farm, two greenhouses, and a composting facility that all highlight best practices in sustainable agriculture.  

Seasoned agricultural service providers and farming professionals

comprise all certificate faculty.The certificate curriculum will prepare both participants who wish to develop agricultural and entrepreneurial skills, as well as those wishing to enhance their knowledge of vegetable production.  The program focus is on environmentally sound, community based small-farm practices.  Course work includes classroom study and hands-on field work, covering both practical farming skills and modern agricultural concepts. 

A complete
listing of courses and descriptions may be found at:  www.sunywcc.edu/ce.  For further information, please contact the

Continuing Education Office at Westchester Community College, 914-606-6830,

Administration Building, Room 207, 75 Grasslands Road, Valhalla, New York,

10595.