Introduction to Agroecology
Spring 2026 Online Certificate Course
Introduction to Agroecology
Explore the transformative world of agroecology with MESA’s online certificate course! In this course, participants acquire new knowledge, skills, and practical applications of agroecology. This course promotes two-way learning; students will actively participate in discussions, brief presentations, and strategic planning to apply agroecology principles in new or existing farms and gardens as part of a final project plan.
Expand your literacy in the practices, politics, and science of agroecology with MESA’s
12 live online learning sessions this Fall!
Course Dates: April 7 - May 14, 2026
Course Times: Tuesdays & Thursdays from 4 PM – 5:30 PM PACIFIC TIME
Course Platforms: ZOOM & GOOGLE CLASSROOM
$280 COURSE FEE
for 12 Sessions & Certificate
Course Details
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.
Your Instructor
Course Overview
The Introduction to Agroecology course offers an interactive, practice-oriented learning experience for participants seeking to understand and apply agroecological principles in farms, gardens, and community food systems. Through dialogue, reflection, and collaboration with farmers, researchers, and community practitioners, participants explore key themes such as food sovereignty, soil health, water and land management, seed saving, Indigenous food systems, participatory action, and social change. The course emphasizes two-way learning and encourages critical engagement with global food systems, environmental justice, and sustainability while grounding learning in local and Indigenous knowledge. Participants culminate the course by developing an applied agroecology project plan, leaving with practical tools, a strengthened learning community, and a deeper commitment to building equitable and resilient food systems.
Course Goals and Learning Objectives
Acquire new knowledge, skills, and practical applications of agroecology.
Cultivate meaningful intercultural understandings and relationships.
Think critically about your positionality and power to shape food systems.
Propose an agroecology project in collaboration with a MESA global NGO partner or another organization of your choice.