About Accreditation

Overview

We operate an Accreditation Program for organic land care professionals based on the NOFA Standards for Organic Land Care. The accreditation exam is given on the last day of the 5-day Accreditation Course. Those who pass are eligible to become NOFA Accredited Organic Land Care Professionals (AOLCPs) and pledge to practice according to the NOFA Standards for Organic Land Care for those clients who ask for organic. We currently have over 500 professionals in 18 states overseen by an accreditation manager. Our accreditation program provides continuing education courses, referrals, networking, newsletters, publicity, media interviews, and business listing in our annual homeowner publication. We also provide a flexible listing on our on-line searchable database of AOLCPs so that homeowners can easily find local, organic, accredited professionals who provide the services they need.

Benefits

Growing public awareness of pesticide use hazards and new legislation mandating least toxic and non-toxic alternatives are fueling a new market opportunity for professionals with knowledge of organic lawn, gardens and landscape care.  Our program allows clients to identify trained professionals who can help them to manage their land organically.

The benefits of being an Accredited Organic Land Care Professional (AOLCP) include:

1. Flexible personal and business listings on the online searchable AOLCP database.
2. Listing in the online and print versions of the annual NOFA Guide to Organic Land Care.
3. Use of the NOFA Organic Land Care logo, lawn signs and other promotional materials
4. A respected credential to use with potential clients, employers, and others that shows you have been educated to the highest standards available by the leading U.S. organization in organic landcaping.
5. Opportunities for continuing education in organic landscaping.
6. Discounts at NOFA OLC courses.
7. Eligible to apply for paid speaking engagements
8. Eligible to apply for feature articles in the press, in our newsletter, and online about your business
9. Eligible to apply to be a consultant on our municipal and public outreach projects
10. Networking with a community of highly trained organic professionals.
11. Satisfaction of working to improve the health of the planet and its creatures
12. Support of an organization whose mission is to promote organic lawns, gardens and landscapes in the U.S., and who provides professionals and the public access to cutting edge science, education and outreach.

Here is what the AOLCPs have said about the program:

• 98% said the Organic Land Care Course is a good investment
• 95% recommend the NOFA 5-Day Course to colleagues
• 95% said that NOFA accreditation as an Organic Land Care Professional is a good investment
• 87% said that the perceived value of their horticultural knowledge had increased.
• 65% reported an increase in work opportunities and prospects within one year

Requirements:

AOLPCs are landscape professionals who:

• Take the NOFA OLC 5-day Accreditation Course in organic landscaping
• Pass the Accreditation Exam
• Pledge to provide organic land care according to the NOFA Standards for Organic Land Care
• Maintain continuing education by attending a minimum of 4 credit-hours of organic landscaping education annually.
• Pay an annual fee ($100) to support the work of the OLC program

Course

The cornerstone of our educational program is our 5-day NOFA OLC Accreditation Course, a 30-hour, comprehensive course based on our written standards. It is also the gateway to becoming a NOFA Accredited Organic Land Care Professional. This course covers all aspects of organic land care from soil health, site analysis and planting/plant care to composting, lawn alternatives and running a business. It offers 20 speakers over five days, interactive case studies, and a client relations panel featuring professionals working in the field. The accreditation exam is given on the last day of the course. This course is now offered in CT, MA, RI and NY and has trained nearly 900 students since its inception in 2002. Current Course Information.

Reaccreditation

NOFA Accredited Organic Land Care Professional (AOLCP) status is renewable on an annual basis upon submission of evidence of the required number of approved continuing education credit hours, a signed application for re-accreditation and the required fee which goes to support the OLC program. We maintain a list of courses eligible for continuing eduction credit hours (see course listing under Credit Opportunities) and students are encourage to submit courses for approval if they are not listed. The process is described more fully under Reaccreditation.