The future of farming is here with the Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) Program from UC Davis Continuing and Professional Education. Developed in partnership with UC Davis—one of the premier institutions for agriculture science—and UC Agriculture and Natural Resources (UC ANR), our CEA Program delivers an unparalleled learning experience focused on both the scientific and practical aspects of operating an indoor farm.
Program at a Glance
Who is This Program For?
This program has been designed for a variety of professionals who work in or adjacent to the controlled environment agriculture industry, including:
- Farming operations managers
- Horticulturalists and plant biologists
- Indoor farming and hydroponic specialists
- Early career agriculture professionals in need of onboard training
- Data analysts (for CEA operations)
- Food safety specialists
- Potential CEA investors and policymakers
- Environmental control technicians
- Current CEA professionals seeking career advancement
- Recent graduates or career-changers looking to enter the CEA industry
What You'll Learn
Taught by international CEA experts, this program offers a comprehensive exploration of new methods and technologies, and covers many of the business factors necessary for running a profitable operation:
- Evaluate various CEA business models for a given environment, crop system and profitability goal
- Select appropriate crops for a given environment and CEA system
- Mitigate pest and disease threats to indoor crops
- Apply data to optimize growing conditions and profitability
- Utilize best practices for ensuring the safety and quality of your product
What You'll Get
- Academically approved courses from UC Davis, one of the top universities in the world for agriculture
- Convenient, asynchronous online learning so you can advance your skills without interrupting your schedule
- Courses taught by experienced industry experts
- Engaging instruction through a combination of lectures, interviews and panel conversations that facilitates active learning with a career-focused approach
A Compact, Four-Course Program Built for Professionals
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Introduction to CEA
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Learn fundamental best practices for indoor farming under controlled environment conditions. This course is designed for anyone broadly interested in indoor farming and would like to understand the history of CEA, employment opportunities, various business models, systems efficiencies, technological advancements, challenges of indoor farming and the drivers of success and profitability.
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Plant Production in Indoor Farming
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This course will build the foundation needed for the planning and implementation of indoor farming operations and will include topics such plant physiology, plant nutrition, IPM, nutrient management and environmental factors.
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Post-Harvest Processes
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This course will provide an overview of food safety requirements, best practices for harvesting, proper storage and distribution processes, and effective consumer marketing.
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Data-Driven Growing
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This course will help learners develop the data and statistical management skills needed to successfully operate a 21st-century CEA facility. It will introduce data systems used in indoor farming, explain why and how data are collected, and describe how to use data to optimize operations and growth.