THE GARDENING AND COMPOSTING EDUCATOR TRAINING PROGRAM
FALL 2011 GCETP
~ Course Application & Course Schedule ~
(Applications Due EXTENDED DEADLINE AUGUST 16th, 2011)
Date: Sept. 2011 to Dec. 2011
Location: Garden for the Environment, 7th Ave at Lawton Street, San Francisco
Materials Fee: $200
The Gardening and Composting Educator Training Program ('GCETP') provides an excellent introduction to organic gardening practices and urban composting, while providing an introductory examination of Sustainable Agriculture and Food Security.
GFE's Gardening and Composting Educator Training Program accepts and trains 30 San Francisco residents each year. The class meets every Saturday, and six Wednesdays, for three months.
While the class specifically focuses on Organic Gardening and Composting, an emphasis is placed on advocacy and community outreach. To successfully complete the program, students must conduct a 50-hour gardening-related community service project. These projects often include outreach, restoration of neglected community or school gardens, and training at public events, resulting in increased composting and gardening education activities in the community. Program graduates are prepared to effectively teach home composting and expected to co-teach one public compost workshop.
GCETP students help maintain the Garden for the Environment, as select community gardens and Composting Education Centers. To encourage home composting and to practice and refine their composting techniques, GCETP trainees receive a free compost bin to be used at their residence. The added practice increases their knowledge and expertise, making them even more valuable teachers and trainers in the community. MATERIALS FEE: $200 (speak to us for work trade and/or payment arrangements).
Applications : Due August 16th, 2011
What graduates have to say about GCETP:
“The class gave me an amazing overview of the practices of organic gardening and composting. It was a great entry into the field and has definitely inspired me to get more involved in not only personal gardening, but also the urban agriculture movement and city rooftop gardening projects.”
“I expected a broad overview & intro to the limitless information that is gardening/composting & a jumping of point to get involved with a great project & the class delivered.”
“When I began this class, I was hoping to be able to gain enough knowledge about gardening, composting to be able to successfully build and maintain a home garden and have a chance to build more confidence teaching others. I feel like I now have enough knowledge and confidence to do that.”
“There was a perfect blend of learning, working, touring, questioning.”
GCETP GRADUATES ARE HELPING CREATE THE URBAN AGRICULTURE MOVEMENT.
GCETP ALUM CAN BE FOUND AT, HAVE WORKED AT, OR HAVE FOUNDED…
Alemany Farm, Hayes Valley Farm, Produce to the People, Urban Sprouts, Pie Ranch, UCSC Farm and Garden Apprenticeship, SF Landscapes, Full Belly Farm, SF Green Schoolyard Alliance, CUESA, Nature in the City, Little City Gardens, Free Farm Stand, The Free Farm, Growing Home, Community Grows, Graze the Roof, 18th & Rhode Island Permaculture Garden, SF Permaculture Guild, Freewheelin' Farm, Blue House Farm, Eco Farm, HANC Native Plant Nursery, 5th Crow Farm, Slide Ranch, SOIL, Sonoma Garden Park, SF Natural Areas Program, NOPA ‘Full Circle Program’, Mala’ai: Culinary Garden, SF Edible Schoolyard, SFUAA, Slow Food USA, SF Victory Gardens, Bay Localize, & School Gardens and Community Gardens in San Francisco – just to name a few
NOTE: Due to Program Restrictions, registration in only open to San Francisco Residents. But don't let that stop you from learning to garden. Please visit our listing of additional Regional Ecological Horticulture Trainings.
LEARN TO GARDEN!
Photos from Fall 2010 GCETP class and students.
Photos from Fall 2009 GCETP class and students.
Photos from Fall 2008 GCETP class and students.
Photos of past GCETP students.
(Designed by past GCETP student Bill Goedecke, photos by Stacey Parker)
