Davisha L. Johnson International Agricultural Academy of Specialty Crops
Africa · The Caribbean · The Global Diaspora
Education, sustainable agriculture, specialty crops, research and workforce development connecting Africa, the Caribbean and the Diaspora.
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Our Mission
DLJ Academy prepares learners from high school to professional level for careers in specialty-crop agriculture — from the nursery bed to the boardroom, the laboratory and the export market.
Our programs are rooted in African and Caribbean agricultural heritage and connected to global markets and research, so every learner grows both practical skill and the confidence to lead.
12
countries in our learning network
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6
specialty-crop disciplines
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1ha
the size of every student farm
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4
learner pathways from student to professional
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Programs
An immersive, field-based program in organic production for tropical and subtropical systems: soil building, composting, integrated pest management and organic certification readiness.
24 weeks · Field-based · Certificate
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Cocoa, coffee, spices and tropical fruit from propagation to post-harvest quality.
12 weeks · Certificate
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Pricing, cooperatives, export logistics and building a crop brand.
10 weeks · Credential
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Soil testing, water stewardship and resilient planting for a changing climate.
8 weeks · Certificate
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Sensors, field data and simple decision tools for smallholder farms.
6 weeks · Credential
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One Hectare Farm
Every learner plans, plants, manages and documents a real one-hectare (10,000 m²) farm with mentor guidance — from the first soil test to harvest records to the market stall.
Test the soil, map the plots and choose crops for climate and market.
Log rainfall in mm, inputs in kg and yields per plot in a shared farm journal.
Grade, price and sell produce, then present a full enterprise report.
Learning and Career Pathways
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02
03
04
Global Network
Select a hub on the map to see its focus crops.
Accra, Ghana
Cocoa, cashew · 340 learners (sample figure)
Lagos, Nigeria
Ginger, hibiscus · 410 learners (sample figure)
Nairobi, Kenya
Coffee, avocado · 290 learners (sample figure)
Kingston, Jamaica
Coffee, pimento · 220 learners (sample figure)
Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago
Cocoa, hot pepper · 180 learners (sample figure)
Bridgetown, Barbados
Sea-island cotton, herbs · 95 learners (sample figure)
Atlanta, United States
Food science, urban farming · 260 learners (sample figure)
London, United Kingdom
Market access, research · 150 learners (sample figure)
Stories
Sample story
“Our school garden showed me farming is science, business and pride all at once.”
High school student, Explore pathway
Sample story
“Recording every plot changed how I ferment and sell. My buyers now ask for my beans by name.”
Cocoa farmer, Practice pathway
Sample story
“I came for the lab work and found a career linking Atlanta kitchens with Caribbean growers.”
Food-science graduate, Build pathway
Research and Innovation
Field trials of local varieties under 30% reduced irrigation.
Caribbean
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How shade trees and compost shift microbial diversity in cocoa plots.
West Africa
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Solar soil-moisture sensors that cut water use on one-hectare farms.
East Africa
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Partners
DLJ Academy grows through partnerships with universities, ministries, cooperatives, foundations and agribusiness. Partners co-design programs, host learners on working farms, share research and open pathways to employment.
Universities and research institutes that co-teach, mentor and share laboratories.
Farms and cooperatives that host learners and their one-hectare plots.
Agribusinesses and foundations that fund scholarships and hire graduates.
Apply
Applications are open for learners at every stage, from high school to professional.
Apply nowPartners
Bring your institution, farm or company into a network built for the next generation.
Become a partner