PUA 201: Urban Agriculture Skills for Planners

The Promise of Urban Agriculture: Skills for Planners help planners and urban farm advocates understand important structures, approaches and policies that allow urban agriculture to be better incorporated into planning practice. The course covers concrete strategies for community engagement, comprehensive planning, zoning reforms, and resource provision, including example plans and ordinances. Each section also features an interview with a practicing planner who helps bring concepts to life.

American Planning Association LogoUpon completion of this course, 6 Certification Maintenance credits are offered for AICP Members of the American Planning Association, provided in partnership with the APA Food Systems Division. Find the course using the CM Search function on planning.org by searching the title "Cornell Small Farms Program PUA 201: Urban Agriculture Skills for Planners" and log your hours with the identifier #9290619.

Target Audience

Intermediate - This course is directed at planning professionals and local officials who make choices related to land use, economic development, community development, or environmental planning. It is also directed at advocates with some degree of knowledge of urban agriculture, who aim to influence planners and local officials.

Course Objectives

Upon completing this course, you will be able to:

  • Explain how urban agriculture relates to broader planning priorities in cities, towns, and suburbs.
  • Describe how zoning and comprehensive planning influence urban agriculture outcomes.
  • Integrate urban agriculture efforts into emerging areas of planning, like sustainability and equity.
  • Articulate strategies and techniques that foster inclusive community engagement processes that can be used to support urban agriculture planning processes.

Course Schedule

This course is self-paced and happens on your own time, with videos, readings, and assignments here in Teachable, our virtual classroom.


Your Instructor


PUA 201 Team
PUA 201 Team

Molly Riordan, is an Urban Agriculture Specialist with the Cornell Small Farms Program.

Anu Rangarajan, PhD, is the Cornell University State Fresh Market Vegetable Specialist and Director of the Cornell Small Farms Program.



The Promise of Urban Agriculture courses were created in fulfillment of a cooperative research agreement (20-TMMSD-NY-0005) between U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Marketing Service (USDA AMS), Cornell University Small Farms Program, and Rooted WI, Inc. (dba Rooted). Its contents are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of the USDA.

Course Curriculum



Frequently Asked Questions


When does the course start and finish?
The course starts now and is completely self-paced. You decide when you start, how fast it goes, and when you finish.
How long do I have access to the course?
This course is free until January 31, 2025. To retain free, unlimited access to course materials after this date, please complete all lessons and submit your feedback in both the Pre and Post course surveys found in the course.
Can I receive proof that I completed this course? How do I receive APA credit?
A course completion certificate will be automatically available to you when you complete all aspects of this course. In addition, this course offers 6 Certification Maintenance credits for AICP Members of the American Planning Association, provided in partnership with the APA Food Systems Division. Find the course using the CM Search function on planning.org by searching the title "Cornell Small Farms Program PUA 201: Urban Agriculture Skills for Planners" and log your hours with the identifier #9290619.
What other courses do you offer on Urban Agriculture?
Within The Promise of Urban Agriculture project, we currently offer three courses for growers and one course for planners and policy makers. Learn more here: https://smallfarmcourses.com/p/urban-ag

Get started now!