College Diploma - Agriculture Technician (Co-op)

Throughout the program students will be engaged in sustainable agriculture and exposed to the study of plants and animals including the biological effects of soil, climate, chemical management activities, tillage, fertilization and irrigation on plant and animal performance and enhancement. Program participants will perform physical agriculture tasks combining energy, labor, skills and machinery using the latest technology and best practices in a real world setting on a day to day basis. Students of the Agricultural Technician Co-op program will participate in a field camp at the Center for Agriculture and Forestry Development. Graduates will be able to balance the market demands for various farm products with several socioeconomic factors including cost of production, taxation, research funding, technical assistance, land usage, and potential environmental impacts.

Agriculture technician students will receive instruction in a broad range of course content aimed at developing good analytical and organizational skills, as well as the ability to work effectively as a team member. After successfully completing this program, individuals will have a basic working knowledge of agricultural techniques and procedures related to the care of livestock and plants and should be able to safely operate farm equipment.

OBJECTIVES: Upon successful completion of the program, graduates will be able to: • Perform a wide variety of duties in support of agriculture using farm tools and equipment. • Conduct agriculture research following established guidelines, procedures and directions to move towards a reliable, sustainable and safe supply of healthy food products for future generations. • Prepare land, select seed and nutrient varieties, plant, harvest and market agriculture products. • Care for livestock, as required on a day-to-day basis. • Safely operate farm tractors, calibrate and maintain farm equipment, and attachments.