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Foundations of Organic Specialty Crop Production

The core practices of organic growing for cocoa, coffee, spices and tropical fruit.

Organic CertificationFoundationGlobal/Online
Organic vegetable beds on a hillside farm with a grower at harvest
Duration
6 weeks
Weekly hours
4 hours / week
Format
Online
Language
English
Certification
Certificate of Completion

Overview

A grounded introduction to organic systems in the tropics. You will learn how healthy soil, diverse planting and careful observation replace synthetic inputs, and apply each idea on a plot of your own.

What you will learn

  • Explain the principles of organic production
  • Plan a diverse crop rotation
  • Make and use hot compost
  • Identify common pests and their natural enemies
  • Keep simple field records
  • Describe the organic certification process

Modules

  • Principles and standards50 min
  • Organic systems in the tropics20 min
  • ⚑Walk and map your plot90 min

Field assignment

Instructor

Sample instructor

Dr. Adaeze Okonkwo

Soil Scientist · West Africa

Adaeze has spent fifteen years helping smallholder farmers in Nigeria and Ghana read their soils and rebuild fertility with low-cost organic inputs.

Soil fertilityCompostingSmallholder systems

Certification

Certificate of Completion

Confirms you completed every lesson and assessment in the course.

Requirements to earn it

  • Complete all lessons
  • Pass each module check-in with 70% or more
  • Submit the final reflection

Prerequisites

  • No prior experience required
  • Access to a small growing space is helpful

Who this is for

  • New farmers
  • College students exploring agriculture
  • Home growers moving toward market

Next start: 12 January 2027

Tuition information coming soon

Confirm enrollment

You are enrolling in “Foundations of Organic Specialty Crop Production”, starting 12 January 2027. You can leave the course at any time.

Tuition information coming soon