HILO — Hawai‘i Community College is offering new non-credit agriculture classes in August and September.

Through these classes, students can earn certificates in two topic areas: Landscaping and AgBusiness and Marketing.

“These courses are an excellent and inexpensive way for people to expand their agricultural knowledge and skills in a short amount of time,” said Chris Jacobsen, a Hawai‘i CC agriculture professor who developed the classes.

The first class starts Aug. 12, and the costs vary from $39 to $100 for sets of classes that lead to either a Certificate of Participation or a Certificate of Professional Development.

This is the second round of agriculture classes Hawai‘i CC has offered as part of the Trade Adjustment Assistance Community College Career Training Grant, better known as C3T Hawai‘i.

C3T Hawai‘i is a $24.6 million grant awarded to the University of Hawai‘i Community Colleges through the U.S. Department of Labor Employment and Training Administration. The grant will fuel the development of education and training curriculum and student academic/career coaching, which targets certificate and degree programs specific to the needs of agriculture, energy and health industries. These industry-focused, employer-driven programs are designed to increase college completion rates and provide job opportunities to the C3T participants.

Course descriptions and schedules are posted at www.hawaii.edu

To register for classes, please contact Serry Kanakaole-Wong, WDD Coordinator at 981-2860 ext. 231 or email serrylee@hawaii.edu. For most classes, the Certificate of Participation must be completed before taking the Certificate of Professional Development in the same course topic. Dates and times are subject to change.

Course Descriptions and Schedules

Landscaping
Hawai‘i is not only renowned for its picturesque and inspiring natural landscapes but also those that are man-designed. Both contribute greatly in a myriad of ways to the economy and quality of life in our islands. Join us for a series of classes that examines the current status and common practices in the landscape industry. This series has something for you if you have an interest in developing skills to prepare for employment in the industry or just want to learn some professional tricks to care for your own yard and enhance its aesthetic appeal. Basic pruning, pest management strategies, plant nutritional requirements, installation of plants and proper spacing are just some of the topics covered in the series.
Certificate of Professional Development: $100

• Monday, Aug. 12, 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
• Tuesday, Aug. 13, 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
• Wednesday, Aug. 14, 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
• Thursday, Aug. 15, 2013, 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Location: UHH Pana‘ewa Farm

AgBusiness and Marketing
Join us for business and market planning before you grow; it is critical for success as an agricultural entrepreneur. Gain insight into the challenges and opportunities for entrepreneurs in Hawai‘i. Together we will develop business plans, formulate marketing strategies, determine costs of production, and much more.
Certificate of Participation: $39

• Tuesday, Aug. 27, 6 to 8 p.m.
• Thursday, Aug. 29, 6 to 8 p.m.
• Saturday, Aug. 31, 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Location: Hawai‘i CC Manono Campus

Certificate of Professional Development: $79

• Tuesday, Sept. 3, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
• Thursday, Sept. 5, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
• Saturday, Sept. 7, 8 a.m. 12 noon
• Tuesday, Sept. 10, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
• Thursday, Sept. 12, 6 p.m. 8 p.m.
• Saturday, Sept. 14, 8 a.m. to 12 noon

Location: Hawai‘i CC Manono Campus