Undergraduate students entering colleges of agriculture have fewer direct prior experiences with agriculture than in previous decades (Swan & De Lay, 2014). Yet, the agriculture, food, and natural resources (AFNR) industry relies on graduates’ agricultural knowledge to prepare them for future leadership. Recognizing the need to provide students with a foundation in agricultural concepts, the presenters developed and implemented the Agricultural Literacy Certification (ALC) course to bridge the knowledge gap for those with limited prior experience in the field. Presenters will outline the ALC course and use cases within higher education and agricultural industries.

The ALC course is an 8-module online course providing an overview of each agriculture sector. Addressing topics from animal and plant science to conservation and nutrition, the modules detail the complexities of the farm-to-consumer journey. When assigned to supplement college instruction, this course allows students to gain the background knowledge they lack. For students who have prior agricultural experience, the course strengthens the breadth of their understanding across all domains of agriculture. College instructors will benefit from creating a more equitable learning environment, fostering deeper discussions, and enhancing student confidence in engaging with agricultural topics.

Created by the [name], the ALC course was originally designed for K-12 teachers engaged with the National Agriculture in the Classroom organization’s efforts to incorporate agricultural concepts into learning. Since its October 2024 nationwide launch, over 400 learners have received their certification. The asynchronous online course begins with a pre-test based on the National Agricultural Literacy Outcomes’ 9-12 grade assessment to determine participants’ baseline understanding of agriculture. Each module contains interactive learning experiences, a course capstone project, and a post-test. Upon completing the capstone and post-test, participants receive a digital certificate recognizing their completion. The microcredential can be used on resumes, LinkedIn, or other professional documentation.