A 10-week hybrid workforce training program preparing career changers, displaced workers, veterans, and aspiring farm entrepreneurs for employment and self-employment in regenerative agriculture. Online coursework and hands-on on-farm practical training run concurrently throughout the program — students begin accumulating farm hours as early as Week 1, with skill stations unlocking as online modules are completed. Graduates earn two credentials: the FNGLA Certified Horticulture Professional (FCHP) and the Cornell University Advanced Soil Health & Regenerative Agriculture Certificate — the only training program in Florida pairing hands-on horticulture credentialing with university-level regenerative soil science.
Primary SOC: 45-2099 — Agricultural Workers, All Other | Secondary SOC: 45-1011 — First-Line Supervisors of Farming, Fishing, & Forestry Workers
Every element required for Eligible Training Provider List approval under WIOA, verified and documented. Click each item to confirm review status.
FNGLA Certified Horticulture Professional (FCHP) — administered by the Florida Nursery, Growers and Landscape Association, recognized statewide as the industry standard for horticulture knowledge. Co-credential: Cornell University Advanced Soil Health & Regenerative Agriculture Certificate.
FCHP + Cornell Soil HealthPrimary: SOC 45-2099 (Agricultural Workers, All Other). Secondary: SOC 45-1011 (First-Line Supervisors of Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Workers). Both mapped per BLS O*NET classifications.
SOC 45-2099 & 45-1011Four measurable targets: ≥75% completion rate, ≥75% credential attainment, ≥75% in-field employment within 3 months, entry wage at or above Florida minimum wage ($15.00/hr), with wage progression pathway to supervisory roles.
4 FETPIP Metrics DefinedEach week includes 3–5 specific, measurable learning objectives written using Bloom's Taxonomy action verbs — progressing from Remember/Understand through Apply, Analyze, Evaluate, and Create.
43 Total ObjectivesMultiple modalities across the 10-week program: quizzes, project submissions, design exercises, enterprise budgets, practice exams, daily skills checklists, capstone presentations, and credential exams.
12+ Assessment TypesIntegrated hybrid model: 10 weeks of online coursework (asynchronous modules + weekly live sessions) running concurrently with 80 hours of self-paced, reservation-based on-farm practical training. On-farm hours are available from Week 1 — skill stations unlock as online modules are completed, reinforcing theory with immediate practice throughout the program.
Hybrid: Online + ResidentialTotal: 164 clock hours — exceeds the minimum threshold for ITA funding under the $7,000 cap. Online phase: 84 hours (10.5 hrs/week across 8 weeks of Cornell + program content). On-farm practical: 80 hours completed at student's own pace throughout the 10-week program window.
164 Total HoursMinimum: Master's degree in agriculture, environmental science, or related field (or equivalent professional experience) with 5+ years applied agricultural practice. FCHP certification preferred.
Qualifications DefinedTen weeks of rigorous, application-focused training — from soil biology to business planning, culminating in on-farm residential immersion and credential assessment.
Reading comprehension quiz (20 questions, 70% passing threshold) covering core terminology and soil biology principles. Farm vision statement (1 page, 500–750 words): students articulate their personal agricultural philosophy, target production system, and three-year goals. Rubric evaluates specificity, feasibility, and alignment with regenerative principles.
60-minute synchronous Q&A with lead instructor. Student introductions, cohort expectations, and orientation to the learning management system and discussion forums.
Land assessment worksheet: using provided satellite imagery, topographic maps, and NRCS soil survey data for a sample property, students complete a structured assessment identifying soil types, drainage patterns, slope concerns, wetland boundaries, and recommended land use zones. Evaluated against a model answer key with 80% accuracy threshold.
60-minute virtual walkthrough of the target residential property using Google Earth, USDA soil maps, and property survey data. Instructor demonstrates live interpretation of soil and land data.
Water systems design sketch: students produce an annotated site plan for a hypothetical 5-acre parcel showing water catchment, swale layout, retention areas, and riparian buffer placement. Includes a brief written rationale (300–500 words) explaining design choices. Evaluated on technical accuracy, appropriate scale, and regulatory awareness.
12-month crop production calendar: students produce a detailed month-by-month planting, maintenance, and harvest schedule for a diversified North Florida market garden. Must include at least 15 crop varieties, succession planting notes, and market channel designations. IPM scouting report: using provided photographs and field scenario descriptions, students complete a structured pest identification and management recommendation report for five common North Florida pests, evaluated on accuracy of identification and appropriateness of IPM response. Evaluated on agronomic accuracy, seasonal appropriateness, and commercial viability.
Livestock integration plan: students develop a detailed plan for incorporating at least two animal species into a hypothetical small farm operation. Plan must include paddock rotation schedule, feed sourcing strategy, infrastructure requirements, regulatory compliance checklist, and a first-year operating budget estimate. Peer-reviewed by two classmates using a provided rubric.
Farm enterprise budget: using a provided template, students build a comprehensive enterprise budget for their proposed farm operation. Must include at least three revenue streams, a full cost analysis, break-even calculations, and a one-page narrative explaining financial assumptions. Record keeping setup exercise: students configure a farm record keeping system and correctly categorize a provided set of 20 sample transactions by enterprise and Schedule F category. Evaluated on mathematical accuracy, realistic assumptions, and strategic thinking.
One-page farm marketing plan: students produce a concise, professional marketing plan for their proposed farm operation including target market, value proposition, channel strategy, and a 90-day launch timeline. Format: single-page executive summary suitable for a lender or investor audience. Evaluated on clarity, market awareness, and strategic coherence.
Pesticide label literacy exercise: students analyze two provided pesticide labels and correctly answer 10 structured questions per label covering active ingredient, rate, signal word, soil half-life, and microbial impact mechanism — demonstrating regulatory knowledge without pursuing licensure. Cornell Module VI–VII quizzes (open-book, Canvas-administered). Cornell Soil Health Project draft: students submit a preliminary CASH framework assessment of the training farm — scored by Cornell instructors as part of the certificate requirement. FCHP practice exam (100 questions, timed, ≥70% threshold). GAP audit readiness checklist: students complete a structured pre-audit self-assessment for a hypothetical small farm operation. Students below 70% on FCHP practice exam receive targeted study recommendations.
90-minute dual-focus session: first 45 minutes on Cornell Soil Health Project workshop — instructors review CASH framework methodology, students share preliminary farm assessments, peer feedback on soil health interpretations; final 45 minutes on FCHP exam prep — instructor-led review of most commonly missed knowledge areas. Cornell certificate project submission walkthrough included.
Concurrent Model — Not Sequential
On-farm practical hours are available from Week 1 and run concurrently with online coursework throughout the full 10-week program. Skill stations unlock progressively as students complete their corresponding online modules — reinforcing theory with immediate hands-on practice rather than deferring all practical work to the end. Students distribute their 80 hours at their own pace and schedule, using the reservation app to book available sessions anytime during facility operating hours.
Progressive skills checklist: instructor-verified competency sign-off for each skill station as completed — tracked in the scheduling app, competency-gated, not calendar-gated. Students may not advance to locked stations without prior sign-off on prerequisite modules. Field journal: maintained throughout the practical window; evaluated on completeness, accuracy, and observational quality at program close. IPM scouting form and post-harvest protocol: scored against standardized rubrics at time of completion. Capstone presentation rubric: content integration (20%), financial viability (20%), production feasibility (20%), market strategy (15%), regulatory compliance (15%), presentation delivery (10%). FCHP credential exam (four-part proctored, ≥70% per section). Cornell Soil Health Certificate project — evaluated by Cornell faculty via Canvas; certificate and LinkedIn badge awarded upon passing. Program exit survey for FETPIP data collection.
Progression of cognitive demand across all ten weeks, mapped to Bloom's Taxonomy. Hover over each cell to see the associated objective.
| Week | Remember | Understand | Apply | Analyze | Evaluate | Create |
|---|
This program awards two credentials — one satisfying Florida's WIOA/ETPL state-recognition requirement, and one that directly expresses what this program actually stands for: regenerative soil science taught by Cornell University faculty.
The FCHP is administered by the Florida Nursery, Growers and Landscape Association and is recognized statewide as the industry standard for measuring horticulture knowledge. This credential anchors ETPL eligibility and provides graduates with a portable, employer-recognized horticulture qualification.
Credentialing body: FNGLA (Florida Nursery, Growers and Landscape Association)
Exam format: Four-part written exam, proctored, ≥70% per section
Cost: $120 (FNGLA members) / $170 (non-members) — eligible for WIOA ITA coverage
Administered: Scheduled cohort testing session during Weeks 9–10 completion window
The Cornell certificate is the signature credential of this program — the one that distinguishes it from every other agricultural training program in Florida and directly expresses what regenerative farming is actually built on: a thriving, complex soil microbial ecosystem. While the FCHP satisfies ETPL credentialing requirements, the Cornell certificate is what this program stands for.
Why not the Pesticide Applicator License?
Regenerative agriculture is fundamentally built on the soil food web — the bacteria, fungi, protozoa, nematodes, and arthropods that drive fertility, structure, and resilience. Synthetic pesticides, including many "approved" inputs, disrupt these microbial communities. Credentialing graduates in pesticide application would signal a philosophical contradiction at the core of this program. Pesticide regulatory knowledge is taught in Week 8 as agronomic literacy — graduates understand label law, FDACS/FIFRA regulatory structure, and the exact mechanisms by which synthetic inputs harm soil biology — but as foundational knowledge for making informed decisions, not as a path to licensure.
Credentialing body: Cornell University College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS)
Format: Eight online modules, open-book quizzes, final Soil Health Project assignment
Duration: 8 weeks concurrent with program online phase (~40 hours total)
Cost: $300 registration — WIOA ITA supportive services eligible
Award: Certificate of Completion + LinkedIn electronic badge (micro-credential)
| Cornell Module | Topic | Program Week Alignment |
|---|---|---|
| Module I | Understanding Soils, Soil Health Principles, Intro to Regenerative Ag | Week 1 — Foundations |
| Module II | Soil Chemistry, Nutrients, Organic Amendments, Water & Erosion | Week 2 — Soil Science |
| Module III | Soil Biology, Organic Matter, Carbon, Agroecological Concepts | Week 2–3 — Microbial Ecology |
| Module IV | Soil Health Assessment, Tillage, Compaction, Water Management | Week 4 — IPM & Systems |
| Module V | Organic Amendments, Cover Crops I | Week 5 — Water & Carbon |
| Module VI | Cover Crops II, Soil Health Data Interpretation, Digital Agronomy | Week 7 — Systems Integration |
| Module VII | Soil Health in Geospatial Context, Planning & Design, Project Assignment | Week 8 — Capstone Prep |
| Final Project | CASH Framework Soil Health Assessment — of this program's training farm | Weeks 9–10 Completion Window |
This program is designed to move graduates through three distinct earning tiers — from entry-level employment to credentialed supervisory roles or self-employment as an independent farm operator.
SOC 45-2099 | Agricultural Workers, All Other
Entry-level farm worker, market garden assistant, nursery technician, or agritourism staff. Graduates begin here while building experience and applying credentials.
Target wage range: $15.00–$17.00/hr
Florida minimum wage floor: $15.00/hr (2025). Above-floor positions available at certified organic operations, nurseries, and agritourism employers actively hiring licensed workers.
Employers: Local nurseries, blueberry operations, sustainable farms, agritourism venues throughout Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.
SOC 45-2099 + Dual Credential Premium
FCHP certification + Cornell Soil Health Certificate qualify graduates for specialist roles requiring licensed horticulture knowledge and demonstrated soil science competency — positioning them above unlicensed applicants and aligning them with the regenerative and sustainable agriculture market demand.
Target wage range: $17.00–$20.00/hr
Approaching the CareerSource Escarosa regional median wage of $20.14/hr. FCHP holders with documented soil health training command premium wages at sustainable nurseries, organic operations, extension-affiliated programs, and agritourism employers who need staff who can educate as well as grow.
Typical roles: Horticulture specialist, farm production coordinator, soil health technician, extension program assistant, agritourism farm educator.
SOC 45-1011 | First-Line Supervisors of Farming, Fishing & Forestry Workers
Farm manager, farm business owner, urban agriculture operator, or agritourism enterprise operator. The capstone business plan and farm startup curriculum module directly prepare graduates for this pathway.
Target wage range: $20.00–$28.00/hr equivalent
Meets and exceeds regional median. Self-employment outcomes are tracked and counted as employed outcomes under WIOA self-employment verification protocol, including USDA FSA loan recipients and NRCS grant recipients who launch independent operations.
Typical roles: Farm owner-operator, urban farm manager, agritourism business operator, farm training program coordinator.
A meaningful subset of program graduates will pursue independent farm operations rather than traditional employment. This program is explicitly designed to support that pathway. The capstone farm business plan, enterprise budget, USDA grant navigation content, and FSA loan preparation curriculum all build directly toward launch-readiness for a beginning farmer operation — whether urban, suburban, or traditional acreage.
Graduates with limited land access are prepared to launch productive urban and peri-urban operations through container growing, vertical systems, backyard market gardens, and community plot management. Urban operators qualify for USDA FSA microloans, NRCS EQIP urban conservation contracts, and local food systems grants.
Graduates pursuing acreage-based operations are prepared to access USDA FSA Beginning Farmer Direct Loans, NRCS EQIP and CSP conservation contracts, BFRDP technical assistance, and Florida Department of Agriculture Beginning Farmer programs. The program's FSA/NRCS navigation curriculum is directly oriented toward first-time applicants.
Graduates who launch farm operations are counted as employed outcomes under WIOA's self-employment verification protocol. Documentation includes: business registration, FSA loan approval, farm insurance enrollment, or verified farm income. CareerSource Escarosa case managers facilitate this documentation process at the 90-day follow-up.
Program graduates pursuing the startup pathway are connected to: UF/IFAS Extension beginning farmer resources, USDA FSA Service Center (Pensacola office), Florida Farm Link for land access, and the Naturally EscaRosa agritourism network for market development support.
Program design prioritizes accessibility for the working adults, veterans, and career changers who are CareerSource Escarosa's primary client population.
Unlike traditional programs that stack all practical hours at the end, the on-farm component runs concurrently with online coursework from Week 1. Students use a reservation-based scheduling app to book available skill station slots throughout the full 10-week program window. Skill stations unlock as online modules are completed — so a student who finishes the soil science module in Week 2 can immediately book a soil sampling session that same week. This means:
CareerSource Escarosa case managers work with enrolled students to identify and access WIOA supportive service funding that removes participation barriers:
Given the program's proximity to NAS Pensacola and Eglin AFB, veteran outreach and support is a program priority:
The agricultural and agritourism employer base in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties represents an active and growing market for credentialed farm workers, horticulture specialists, and farm entrepreneurs.
Active operations in the Pensacola area include GTF Nursery, Farm & Nursery Mart, Bailey's Produce & Nursery (est. 1938, actively expanding), Woerner, Slay's Nursery, and Green Up Santa Rosa. FCHP credential holders are specifically valued in nursery operations for their ability to advise customers on plant health, manage integrated pest programs, and demonstrate professional horticulture knowledge.
Beulah Berries, Petsel's Blueberries, and Touchablue Berry Farm (Molino) represent active produce operations near Pensacola. Jaseegan Farms operates multiple plots across northern Escambia County. Sunset Ranch of Escambia Farms operates a regenerative pasture-centered operation directly aligned with program training. All represent potential employment and apprenticeship partners.
The Naturally EscaRosa network — a UF/IFAS Extension initiative — documents 100+ agritourism and ecotourism destinations across Escambia and Santa Rosa counties. Clear Creek Farm (Santa Rosa) is an established agritourism and learning center already engaged with UF/IFAS Extension. These operations require staff who can host educational programming, manage agricultural demonstrations, and hold valid horticulture credentials.
The West Florida Research and Education Center (WFREC) — a UF/IFAS research farm serving the Bay Area Food Bank — represents an institutional employer aligned with program graduates. UF/IFAS Extension Escambia and Santa Rosa counties employ agricultural program assistants and field technicians. USDA NRCS and FSA service centers in Pensacola employ agricultural staff who work directly with beginning farmers.
Formal employer letters of interest confirming intent to consider program graduates for open positions are being collected from regional agricultural employers as part of the ETPL application process. Letters document occupational demand, desired credential requirements, and anticipated hiring timelines. Employer partner documentation will be attached as an addendum to this framework upon collection.
IN PROGRESS — Employer Outreach ActiveQualified instructors are essential for ETPL approval and program quality. Minimum qualifications are defined below, with named instructors to be confirmed upon institutional partnership.
Lead instructors for this program must meet the following minimum requirements:
To Be Named — pending formal partnership agreement with Pensacola State College Workforce Education Division and/or University of West Florida Continuing Education program.
Instructor recruitment will prioritize candidates with UF/IFAS Extension experience or active involvement in Escambia County agricultural education. Subject matter expert bios will be added to this document upon confirmation.
Partnership Pending — PSC / UWFThe reservation-based scheduling model ensures consistent instructor availability and safe student-to-instructor ratios across all practical sessions:
The four FETPIP-required metrics that define program success — tracked from enrollment through post-program employment.
Percentage of enrolled students who complete all 10 weeks of the program including both online and residential phases. Tracked via LMS completion records and residential attendance logs.
Percentage of program completers who achieve the FNGLA FCHP credential within 60 days of program completion. Cornell Soil Health Certificate attainment tracked separately as a supplementary industry-recognized credential. Verified via FNGLA exam records and Cornell Canvas completion data.
Percentage of program completers employed in an agriculture-related occupation (SOC 45-xxxx series) within 90 days of program completion. Tracked via CareerSource Escarosa employment verification and FETPIP quarterly wage data.
Target entry wage at or above Florida's current minimum wage ($15.00/hr), with a documented wage progression pathway to $18–22/hr for credentialed supervisory roles (SOC 45-1011). Tracked via FETPIP wage records at the 2nd and 4th quarter post-exit. Self-employment outcomes (farm startup) counted per WIOA self-employment verification protocol.
A printable summary for submission to CareerSource Escarosa, institutional partners, and ETPL reviewers.
| Program Title | Regenerative Farm Operations — Certificate Program |
| Program Format | Hybrid — 8 weeks online (async + weekly live) + 80 hours self-paced on-farm practical training (reservation-based, facility operating hours) |
| Total Duration | 10 weeks — online coursework and on-farm practical training run concurrently throughout |
| Total Clock Hours | 164 hours (84 online + 80 residential) |
| Residential Location | Pensacola, FL — 13.15-acre regenerative farm with wetland conservation system |
| Primary Credential | FNGLA Certified Horticulture Professional (FCHP) — administered Day 10, on-site proctored |
| Primary Credential | FNGLA Certified Horticulture Professional (FCHP) — state-recognized, exam-based, ETPL-qualifying |
| Co-Credential | Cornell University Advanced Soil Health & Regenerative Agriculture Certificate — 8-week online course, 40 hours, LinkedIn micro-badge, final project on training farm |
| Credentialing Bodies | FNGLA; Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services |
| Primary SOC Code | 45-2099 — Agricultural Workers, All Other |
| Secondary SOC Code | 45-1011 — First-Line Supervisors of Farming, Fishing, & Forestry Workers |
| Target Population | Career changers, displaced workers, veterans, beginning farmers, aspiring farm entrepreneurs — WIOA-eligible adults and dislocated workers; self-employment pathway included |
| Completion Rate Target | ≥75% |
| Credential Attainment Target | ≥75% |
| In-Field Employment Target | ≥75% within 90 days (includes WIOA-verified self-employment / farm startup outcomes) |
| Entry Wage Target | At or above Florida minimum wage ($15.00/hr); wage progression pathway to $18–22/hr documented for credentialed supervisory graduates |
| ITA Funding Cap | $7,000 (justified by 164 clock hours + dual credential) |
| Institutional Partners | Pensacola State College (pending) / UWF Continuing Education (pending) |
| Workforce Partner | CareerSource Escarosa |