Food System Curriculum Database & Certifications

Food Systems Education Resource and Practitioner Database 

Welcome to the AgMRC Food Systems Database. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, industry partner, educator, community leader, or simply someone excited to make a difference in your local food system you’re in the right place. Iowa State University (ISUEO) Extension and Outreach and national partners developed this system in 2019, and it continues to evolve, to identify certification programs and curriculum, as well as practitioners to help individuals gain the skills and network needed. This is your starting point for learning about food system competencies and where to find connections and curriculum to strengthen local and regional food systems in your neighborhood or community, and across the country! 

The frame below showcases existing curricula and practitioners across the nation, based on our competency framework.

Food systems are complex and interconnected. The purpose of the database is to aggregate and identify educational resources to improve the competencies of food systems practitioners through various levels of learning that in turn stabilizes and strengthens our food systems workforce. These tools support foundational learning, strategic community planning, and food resilience building.   

Purpose of the National Food Systems Practitioner & Resource Database 

• Connecting food systems practitioners nationwide to find expertise across competency areas (e.g., food dignity, food planning, and community engagement).  

• Providing access to curated educational resources (trainings, curricula, tools) aligned to core competencies.  

• Helping connect individuals who work across different areas (coordinators, food hubs, farm-to-school leaders) to build stronger networks.  

Share your Curriculum 

The downloadable Competencies and Learning Objective Matrix shares the categories, themes, and competencies, including example learning objectives for each of the levels of learning. If you’re interested in adding your curriculum to the matrix, download the Microsoft Word and Adobe PDF and check the appropriate checkboxes that you as an individual practitioner or your curriculum, complete. Once finished, send your forms to Trevor Lane for incorporation into the database.   

Want to share your curriculum or be listed as a practitioner? Contact Trevor C Lane, Ed.D. tlane@iastate.edu 

History and Framework 

This database is developed based on core competencies for practitioners in food systems. In 2019, with support from USDA Agricultural Marketing Service, a team of over 30 individuals across the nation identified and discussed each competency, leading to nine categories (Food Systems, Dignity, Economy and Business Analysis, Environment, Governance and Policy, Leadership, Community Capacity, Health and Wellness, and Evaluation), 41 themes, and 142 competencies with learning objectives across with three levels of learning that include example learning objectives for each Level 1: Knowing, Level 2: Doing, and Level 3: Teaching.  

The framework for developing learning objectives for each competency is displayed within the diagram above. This starts with building awareness, increasing knowledge, practicing, and then teaching or mentoring (Four Stages of Learning). Another way to think about it is moving from a beginner, to becoming proficient and then becoming the expert, or moving from unconscious incompetence to unconscious competence as shown below. This also sheds light on the need for lifelong learning. Not all educational resources will teach or get an individual to “level 3” or expertise, rather to master something, that involves continued practice, mentorship, connections, and lifelong professional development  

• Interested in learning more about Iowa State University Extension Certifications, or the history of the database? Contact Courtney Long, PhD: court7@iastate.edu  

Iowa State University Certifications

Between 2017-2020, AgMRC funded the creation and pilot of the Local Food Leader and Community Food Systems Certifications, developed by Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. The certifications continue to evolve and are offered nation-wide in in-person and virtual formats. To learn more, check out the Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Food Systems Certification page.  

Local Food Leader Certification 

Local Food Leader (LFL) Certification teaches foundational competencies critical for successful food systems development. This certification is intended for practitioners that are beginning their work in food systems and individuals that are wanting to be more engaged in their local food system. Participants will build skills related to common language, food system perspectives and approaches, facilitating, creating plans of work, and evaluation of programs and projects.

Local Food Leader 101 is offered in person or virtually for individuals and community groups. Workshop sections include:

• Food systems common language

• Food system perspectives and approaches

• Facilitation and leadership

• Creating plans of work

• Project and program evaluation

• Professional development

Participants will receive a certificate of completion in Local Food Leader 101 and are eligible to participate in Local Food Leader 201.

More information on Local Food Leader Certification

Resilient Food Systems Immersion Curriculum Pilot: Impact of Immersive Education on Young Leaders 

This project focuses on developing resilient food systems through a food systems curricula for young
leaders. To further investigate this opportunity, 15 participants across the nation worked collectively to
develop a food systems curricula for Juniors and Seniors in High School as well as beginning years of
college. The goal for this curriculum will be to introduce a new generation to food and farm systems work.
The curricula included an intensive, immersive experience and exchange program that highlighted various
types of food value-chain processes and aspects of support and research entities like the U.S. Department
of Agriculture (USDA). 

Resilient Food Systems Immersion Curriculum Pilot

Resilient Food Systems Certification

Resilient Food Systems (RFS) Certification teaches a facilitated process to increase capacity for food systems practitioners developing resilience in their community food system. This certification is intended for educators, researchers, and practitioners facilitating coalitions interested in using this process as a community development tool. Participants will build skills for integrating strategic planning strategies to develop vision, mission, and values; assess existing conditions; determine priority projects; and work toward implementing programs. 

This curriculum is currently being developed. Please check back soon.