Sustainable Agriculture and Specialty Crops
Lorain County Community College
Sustainable agriculture is one that follows the principles of nature to develop systems for
raising crops and livestock that are like nature, self-sustaining. Sustainable agriculture’s success
is indistinguishable from vibrant rural communities and rich lives for families on profitable
farms that provide for current and future generations. Beginning fall 2015, LCCC offers an
Associate of Applied Science (AAS) and One-Year Technical Certificate in Sustainable Agriculture
as well as a Short-Term Technical Certificate for Specialty Crop Growers and Professional
Permaculture Design Certification. Technical courses in sustainable agriculture provide handson experience and career exploration. Students learn key sustainability and land stewardship
skills as they study the interaction between food, human health and ecosystems services.
Students contribute to the production, distribution, and marketing of locally grown produce
through hands-on experiences with local farmers and growers. Some courses require travel
time to off-campus farms and learning sites. This program is in collaboration with Black River
Organics in Wellington, OH. Learn more at: http://www.lorainccc.edu/sustain
Complete all four certificates in two years. Designed to be stackable, it is possible for a fulltime student to earn all four degrees in the two-year time frame required for the AAS degree.
Courses can also be completed on a part-time basis. A certificate in Sustainable Agriculture,
Specialty Crops, or Permaculture at LCCC could be the first step you need to further your new
career vision:
Entrepreneurship – After completing Entrepreneurship and Business Principles of Sustainable
Agriculture courses, budding entrepreneurs can take advantage of LCCC resources, which
support all facets of the start-up, development, and growth of new enterprises. Students can
turn their product or small business idea into a reality.
 Blackstone Launch Pad: http://www.lorainccc.edu/blackstone
 Small Business Development Center: http://www.lorainccc.edu/sbdc
AS degree in Sustainable Agriculture at OSU/ATI – Sustainable Agriculture certification at LCCC
is designed to align with the Associate of Science degree offered by OSU/ATI in Wooster, OH.
Although a Bachelor’s of Science degree in sustainable agriculture does not yet exist in Ohio,
related majors such as Environment, Economy, Development and Sustainability and a
Sustainable Agriculture Minor at OSU in Columbus can provide future opportunities for
students who wish to further their education beyond the Associate level. LCCC and OSU/ATI
will continue to align coursework with these degree programs as new opportunities arise.
Explore other Associate and Bachelor Degree options – Sustainable agriculture can open doors
to a number of established fields, biology, horticulture, culinary arts, and more. This program is
designed to help you find the academic pathway that’s right for you. LCCC is now connected to
Hiram College through a BA in Integrated Environmental Studies offered through our University
Partnership program. LCCC collaborates with a number of other collegiate and community
partners to grow a statewide network in support of sustainable agriculture education.
Enter into the Workforce – An AAS, AS or BS in an agricultural or sustainability-related field can
lead directly to jobs such as Food Processing Certification Specialist, Urban Agriculture Program
Coordinator, Agricultural Manager, Farmers Market Supervisor, and more. According to the
first Annual Report of the STEM Food & Ag Council published October 2014, jobs are expected
to grow 6.5% between 2014 and 2019 with 7,584 new jobs emerging in plant and soil sciences
alone. “The agricultural industry sector needs eager and accomplished professionals – a lot
more than they have now – with particular soft skills and real-world experiences and who are
trained in STEM fields.” You can read the full report online at:
 http://www.agri-pulse.com/uploaded/STEM_Food_Ag_Council_Report.pdf
Paid Internships – While these opportunities are always changing, so far we’ve established paid
internships with Cheri’s Touch Interior Landscaping, Gardenscapes Nursery, and Case Western
University Farm. Unpaid internships and volunteer opportunities are more abundant and can
also be a good way for recently-certified students to transition into employment.
Permaculture Design Certification – LCCC also supports students in arts/humanities,
engineering, business, social science, allied health/nursing, health/physical education, and a
variety of design fields through a new professional certification in Permaculture Design.
Permaculture is the conscious design of landscapes and social systems by mimicking patterns in
nature to yield an abundance of food, fiber, and energy for the provision of local needs. The
Permaculture Design Certification (PDC) is a professional credential built upon the standard 72hour curriculum developed and recognized by the Permaculture Institute, the international
standard bearer for permaculture education. The PDC allows the holder to practice
permaculture as a business professional, for example in offering design consultation services to
land owners and organizations. More information on this credential is found here:
 http://www.permaculture.org/nm/index.php/site/professional_practise_pages
Professional PDC at LCCC requires 2 courses totaling 6 credit-hours and is a required
component of the Sustainable Agriculture AAS degree.
Can a student take a stand-alone course within the program without completing the
certificate? Yes, students do not need to enroll in the sustainable agriculture program to take
one or more of the SAGR technical courses.
Who should I contact for more information?
 Program Coordinator: Brett Joseph, [email protected], (440) 366-7247

Faculty Advisor: Dr. Ruby Beil, [email protected], (440) 366-7222

Counselor in Enrollment Services: Klare Heston, LISW, [email protected], (440)
366-4779