Oregon Tilth, a Salem, Ore.-based nonprofit that promotes and certifies sustainable and organic agricultural practices, introduced the Accredited Organic Land Care Program early this year. In partnership with Clackamas Community College, the five-day training is geared toward professionals looking to become accredited in areas such as integrated pest management, soil building, sustainable landscape design, organic weed management and marketing organic land care.

 The nonprofit’s goal is to “build a program that will reach out into the landscape industry and encourage not just the practices but also the standards to which we can hold people accountable for sustainable landscaping,” according to Dave Alba, Oregon Tilth’s organic lawn care project manager.

Participants who complete the training, pass an examination and agree to Organic Lawn Care policies are eligible for certification. About 10 accreditations are expected to be awarded this year. By completing this program, landscapers can also earn Continued Education Hours, which they need to satisfy Oregon’s Landscape Contractors Board.

Oregon Tilth has been certifying organic producers, manufacturers, retailers and restaurants throughout the country for about 30 years.