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Launching a New Citizen Gardener Certificate Program!

Starting this fall, you’ll notice some changes to SFC's Grow Local gardening class offerings.

Our Introduction to Food Gardening class – formerly known as Citizen Gardener - will continue to offer new gardeners and gardeners new to Central Texas with a holistic, hands-on introduction to organic food growing. Facilitated by expert gardeners, this three-part class gives participants the knowledge needed to start and sustain a food garden, from choosing a site and establishing a bed to water conservation and organic pest management.

In addition to these introductory courses, SFC's Grow Local is offering a number of shorter, intermediate gardening classes that expand on different aspects of organic food gardening, including container gardening, seed saving, bee keeping and wildcrafting. All proceeds from these classes support the free gardening education and resources that SFC's Grow Local offers to individuals, families and communities in need.

Students who complete multiple gardening classes qualify for SFC's Grow Local new Citizen Gardener Certification. Designed to boost gardeners’ expertise and to cultivate a culture of stewardship amongst Austin gardeners, class participants are awarded a Citizen Gardener certificate after completing 9.5 hours of class time and an additional 10 hours of volunteer time at school and not-for-profit gardens. Certificate awardees receive discounts on SFC's Grow Local classes and at local nurseries and are celebrated at an annual Citizen Gardener graduation ceremony.

Below is a list of gardening classes as well as information about SFC's Grow Local Citizen Gardener certificate program.

SFC's Grow Local Gardening Classes

Introduction to Food Gardening

This holistic, two-part class provides new gardeners and gardeners new to Central Texas with the knowledge they need to start and sustain an organic food garden. Topics include choosing a garden site, raised bed construction, composting, pest management, water conservation, and rainwater harvesting. Introduction to Food Gardening classes are held during Central Texas’ main planting seasons, which last from September-October and from March-April.

Cost: $60

Class time: 7.5 hours divided over two consecutive Saturdays and a Wednesday evening

Intermediate Classes

Our intermediate classes delve deeper into topics covered in the Introduction to Food Gardening classes. Designed for individuals with some gardening experience, these classes do not cover basic gardening knowledge but instead expand participants’ understanding of specific food gardening topics. Each class is 2 hours long, Prices start at $25.

Topics change from season to season and include: