For over two decades, the Student Farm at Central Carolina Community College (CCCC) in Pittsboro, North Carolina, has served as a laboratory where students learn about sustainable and organic agriculture.
In October, the college will start the course “Semillas de Cambio: Curso Práctico de Cultivo Orgánico” (Seeds of Change: Practical Course in Organic Farming) in Spanish for the Hispanic community of the region.
“It is educating the new generation of farmers, ranchers, and local farmworkers,” said Angelina Oliva, supervisor of the Sustainable Agriculture program, to Enlace Latino NC.
The course is also aimed at those interested in cultivating their own gardens and staff from organizations that support farmers.
This land is certified as an organic farm by the Department of Agriculture and the National Organic Program. It is free from pesticides and synthetic fertilizers.
Robin Kohanowich, coordinator of the Sustainable Agriculture program, explained to Enlace Latino NC that this education helps many students start their farms or pursue other agriculture-related careers.
“Students see that they can undertake their projects in this field,” said Kohanowich, who is also an instructor and advisor to the students.
Located in Pittsboro, this farm is part of CCCC’s network of campuses in Chatham, Lee, and Harnett counties, just 45 minutes west of Raleigh.
Read this story in Spanish: Curso de cultivo orgánico empodera a la comunidad hispana en Carolina del Norte
Opportunity to transition from conventional farming to organic
According to the National Center for Farmworker Health, approximately 78% of the 2.9 million agricultural workers in the United States are of Hispanic origin. However, only 3% of them are farm owners.
“The story of our people, as immigrant field workers, is complicated and sad,” Oliva said. “The vast majority of Spanish-speaking people who enter the conventional agricultural system in the United States enter a system that is long-abusive, low-paying, and without the legal health and wage protections offered to workers in other sectors and companies.”
The “Seeds of Change” course teaches safe and sustainable agricultural practices, which are crucial for improving farmers’ working conditions. The program also offers free mentoring to farmers transitioning from conventional to organic farming.
“It’s an opportunity for agricultural workers looking to transition from conventional farms to organic ones like this,” Oliva added.
Issues associated with the conventional agriculture model include using chemicals and fertilizers. These factors affect the health of those involved in the food system, from farmers to consumers, including our families and children.
In contrast, the proposed organic, sustainable, and regenerative agriculture aims to restore the land’s health and the farmers’ dignity.
“In this training, they also gain a bit more power by being able to say, ‘I know how to work in that system, and here I have a certificate showing that I completed this 10-week course,'” Oliva said. I know how to manage weeds and how to care for the land and plants according to organic practices, which is very different from the conventional system.”
A return to ancestral wisdom
Organic farming in America is not just a contemporary movement towards more sustainable practices. It has deep roots in the ancestral knowledge and practices of indigenous peoples.
“American organic culture is based on indigenous processes, Indigenous wisdom of thousands of years from many cultures, including Hispanic cultures from Latin America,” Oliva said.
Indigenous peoples of America have long understood the importance of cultivating the land in ways that respect natural cycles and promote ecosystem health.
These practices included crop rotation to maintain soil fertility, composting to enrich the land, and water management techniques that conserve this vital resource.
Today, the movement towards organic agriculture seeks to preserve these traditional practices, Oliva explained.
How to apply for the course
With support from the United States Department of Agriculture and the Partnership Program for Organic Agriculture Transition, this initiative promises free education.
To apply for the “Seeds of Change” course starting in October, visit the Sustainable Agriculture webpage at CCCC or contact Angelina Oliva directly at aoliv941@cccc.edu.
In addition to the Spanish course, the program offers an Associate of Applied Science degree in Sustainable Agriculture over approximately two and a half years. Several shorter certificates are also available for those looking to specialize in specific areas of organic agriculture.
CCCC and the Student Farm provide educational training and lead toward a healthier and more equitable food system.
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