Parkersburg, W.Va. (March 5, 2021) – The WVU Parkersburg Workforce and Economic Develop-ment team has announced the launch of the Sustainable Agriculture short-term program at the Riverhawk Farm.

Course topics will cover a variation of agriculture hands-on training, including Introduction to Sustainable Agriculture and Ranching, Soil Sampling and Preparation, Planting Methods, Marketing and Budgeting and many more. This course will offer students a chance to experience agriculture work at WVU Parkersburg’s own Riverhawk Farm taught by Agriculture Program Coordinator, Amy Wil-son, as well as local farmers, veteran farmers and skilled professionals in agriculture and agribusiness.

“The course in Agribusiness is designed for students who plan to seek employment on, manage or own a farm or seek employment in an agribusiness field,” said Wilson. “Students will learn activities that prepare them to apply sustainable agriculture practices and business principles involved in the organization, operation and management of a farm, ranch or agribusiness.”

Training and coursework begin March 29 and will end July 15 for a total of 90 hours. The course will consist of a Monday virtual class followed by Tuesday and Thursday evening labs providing hands-on experience. The goal is to increase the knowledge and skills necessary for students to work on or start up their own farms, and continue growing the agribusiness workforce. Students will be required to have physical attendance to ensure success in the program.

The cost is $2,000 per student for the entire program. Financial assistance is available to qualifying West Virginia residents to assist with cost. Upon completion of the program, students will receive a Sustainable Agriculture Certificate.

“Being involved with this program has allowed me to utilize my farming experience and expertise to guide others on a path of fulfillment and success through agriculture,” said Wilson. “COVID-19 has taught us the value of food security. Having a local, safe food supply is important to everyone, especially those of us here in the Mid-Ohio Valley. Working as a team, myself and other WVU Parkersburg employees, students and local farmers, we will build a model farm to portray successful agribusinesses in our community.”

Utilizing the Riverhawk Farm will give students and WVU Parkersburg partners the opportunity to network with local business owners, farmers and professionals in this field. It will also open up new channels for local agribusinesses to hire future graduates of this program to learn new practices and sustain the agricultural way of life. This course will continue to be offered in the future in the spring and summer months.

For more information about the Sustainable Agriculture program, contact Amy Wilson at 304-982-9043 or amy.wilson@wvup.edu.