The sustainable urban agriculture (SUA) field is expanding rapidly due to the growing need for climate-resilient food systems and the rising demand for sustainable, organic, and locally sourced produce

The Department of Agriculture National Institute of Food and Agriculture awarded College of DuPage $650,000 on March 1, 2026, under the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI) Education and Workforce Development program (CFDA 10.310) to deliver employer-recognized sustainable urban agriculture stackable certificates to 93 under-resourced and incarcerated students through the Facilitating Opportunities for Re-Entry and Workforce Advancement Through Agricultural Development (COD-FORWARD) project.

The program provides comprehensive classroom instruction coupled with hands-on learning, academic mentoring, paid internships, student engagement opportunities, and wraparound support services. Incarcerated students partner with DuPage County Correctional Facility and Just of DuPage to earn an urban farming certificate and receive hands-on education with the opportunity to build employer-recognized credentials post-release. College of DuPage's Horticulture Department leads the initiative, which aims to address regional agricultural workforce needs, reduce barriers to education, enhance student persistence, and strengthen local food security by building relationships with local employers and partners.

Performance occurs at Glen Ellyn, Illinois. The period of performance runs from March 1, 2026, through February 28, 2029. This is a project grant, classified as education and workforce development funding.

As the field expands, there is a need for skilled and technologically savvy individuals to enter the workforce. The facilitating opportunities for RE-entry and workforce advancement through agricultural development (COD-forward) project, led by college of dupage's (COD) horticulture department, will provide 93 under-resourced and incarcerated students the opportunity to acquire employer-recognized SUA stackable certificates for successful employment in the agricultural industry.COD-forward focuses on providing comprehensive classroom instruction coupled with hands-on learning for COD students and strategic reentry partnerships for incarcerated students, ensuring the project addresses both regional agricultural workforce needs and broader societal goals. With its comprehensive support system - academic training, mentoring, paid internships, student engagement opportunities, and other wraparound services supported by the college - codforward paves a clear path to sustainable employment. Through a unique partnership with dupage county correctional facility and just of dupage, incarcerated students will earn an urban farming certificate and will receive hands-on education with the opportunity to continue building on employer-recognized credentials post-release. By building and expanding relationships with local partners and employers, the program aims to reduce barriers to education and enhance student persistence to ultimately strengthen local food security.