AMES, Iowa — Food systems practitioners nationwide can ramp up their skills by enrolling in Community Food Systems training and certification, offered entirely online by the Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Farm, Food and Enterprise Development Program.
The training includes both live virtual discussions and pre-recorded online learning modules. The next class cohort begins June 3 and runs through Dec. 16. Some scholarships are available. May 28 is the deadline to register and apply for a scholarship.
Food systems practitioners who successfully complete the course will increase their capacity to work within communities and develop food systems. The virtual workshops center around activities and networking with colleagues to learn a new framework for community food systems development.
“The Community Food Systems certification is being offered in an all-virtual format, which allows participants to connect with other food systems practitioners across the nation,” said Kaley Hohenshell, program coordinator with Farm, Food and Enterprise Development with ISU Extension and Outreach. “This cohort-style certification course includes both independent and group learning with an emphasis on networking between participants.”
The curriculum focuses on building facilitation skills and developing vision, mission and core values. Participants also learn tools for conducting community food systems assessments, prioritization methods, evaluation techniques and project management and development.
The online modules offer intensive curriculum around visioning and implementation, conducting community food systems assessments and mapping for decision-making, tools for project management and evaluation, feasibility studies, economic impact and design thinking. Participants who complete the course will receive a certificate of completion in Community Food Systems.
Related links and registration
- The ISU Extension and Outreach Community Food Systems Program
- Cohort schedule: https://www.extension.iastate.edu/ffed/wp-content/uploads/CFS-Workshop-Schedule_May2021_without-zoom-info.pdf
- Registration: https://store.extension.iastate.edu/product/15888
- Scholarship application: www.extension.iastate.edu/ffed/wp-content/uploads/CFS-Full-Cert-Scholarship-Application_Mar-2021.pdf
- Syllabus: www.extension.iastate.edu/ffed/wp-content/uploads/CFS-Full-Syllabus_2021.pdf
For more information, Hohenshell can be reached at 515-745-2401 or kaleyh@iastate.edu.
— Kaley Hohenshell, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach
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