Advanced Agroecology Topics
Fall 2026 Online Certificate Course
Advanced Agroecology Topics
This course is the next step for individuals ready to deepen their expertise and explore potential projects. Based on the fundamentals of agroecology, this course takes a deeper dive into specialized topics that equip farm and garden managers, small nonprofits, and emerging agricultural leaders with the advanced knowledge and tools to start/expand their projects with greater intention and resilience. Whether you're refining an existing operation or planning your next chapter, this course meets you where you are and challenges you to go further.
Course Overview
This online certificate course is designed for graduates of MESA's introductory agroecology programming and others with foundational knowledge and/or experience with sustainable/organic agriculture. Over the course, participants will explore specialized topics, including:
Seed Saving
Agroecology research and advocacy
Bee Stewardship and Natural Beekeeping
Product marketing
Orcharding and Growing Fruit
Farm/non-profit fundraising and management
Course Goals and Learning Objectives
Apply advanced agroecological principles to the design, management, or expansion of a farm, garden, or food systems project
Develop a working knowledge of agroforestry systems and their applications in diverse agricultural contexts
Articulate and advocate for your project's mission using tools from agricultural policy and advocacy
Conduct or critically engage with agroecology research to inform on-farm decision-making
Add MESA’s Advanced Agroecology Certificate to your professional portfolio!
Expand your literacy in the practices, politics, and science of agroecology over six participatory online learning sessions this Fall!
Course Dates: October 12th - November 16th
Course Times: 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm PT on Mondays
Course Platforms: ZOOM & GOOGLE CLASSROOM
$300 COURSE FEE*
*Course graduates receive a $100 Baker Creek Heirloom Seed gift code
and
are eligible to apply for a 2027 SPRIG mini-grant!
Course Details
Your Course Instructors
Dr. Frida Endinjok
Dr. Frida Endinjok is an agroecology instructor with extensive experience teaching and mentoring emerging and current farmers, scholars, and advocates committed to building more sustainable and equitable food systems. She joined the MESA team in 2020 as the Lead Instructor for the CSUN Institute for Sustainability’s first AFFP Cohort and later served as Fellowship Coordinator. Dr. Endinjok holds a Ph.D. and a master’s degree in public health with an emphasis on community health education, as well as a bachelor’s degree in nutrition. Her professional background includes developing and evaluating the “Let’s Grow Healthy” program, which provides hands-on, garden-enhanced nutrition education in elementary schools across Los Angeles, establishing and coordinating an on-campus garden that offers workshops, fresh produce, and community projects, and founding and leading a Food Recovery Network chapter to redirect edible food from landfills to individuals experiencing food insecurity. With more than five years of teaching and mentoring experience, she is deeply committed to helping others discover their passions and advocate for sustainable food systems.
Sachin Bangalore
Sachin Bangalore is a food systems educator, program designer, and advocate for food sovereignty rooted in values of justice, reciprocity, and collective care. Born in Connecticut and raised in India, he was drawn to environmental work early on, inspired by Captain Planet, Jane Goodall, and a formative documentary on farmer suicides in India. That experience catalyzed his lifelong commitment to transforming food systems. Sachin currently serves as the Farm Manager at Rhythm Seed Farm, where he manages 2 urban seed farm sites. He supports the farm's seed sovereignty efforts, seed and urban farming educational offerings, and community-based programming. Additionally, he also works with the Willamette Farm and Food Coalition as their Food Systems Educator. Over the past decade, he has worked across the food system in both India and the US—including food rescue, beekeeping, and farm and garden-based education for youth and adults. He is an alumnus of the UC-Santa Cruz Center for Agroecology Apprenticeship and holds an M.Ed. in Learning and Design from Vanderbilt University, where his research supported an urban farming education program for Bhutanese and Burmese refugees. He volunteers with the Home Orchard Education Center, serves on the Portland EcoFilm Festival Selection Committee, and is training as a Master Melittologist contributing to native bee research in the Pacific Northwest.
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This course requires some knowledge/experience of agroecological principles, such as sustainable/organic gardening or farming rooted in regenerative techniques, proper land and water management, integrated pest management, nutrient cycles, and social justice. This course is ideal for farm/garden managers, small non-profits/farms, and people who want to learn more about advancing their projects/farms/gardens.
MESA alumni and stewards are encouraged to apply, and you can receive a discount as a returning student.
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You will need to attend all 6 sessions and submit 6 short reflections to Google Classroom. You will invest no more than 3 hours per week in the class. This class is ideal for working individuals.
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There are short reflection prompts after each class. The reflection questions are intended to be thought-provoking, ask questions that you still have, and/or share more resources on the topic provided. The reflections are submitted in a forum, which allows for communication and discussion among participants/facilitators.
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Any questions or concerns, send an email. You may also schedule one meeting with Frida to talk about your projects.