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Why study agriculture?
Graduates of UFV Agriculture programs are among the most employable graduates in the field across Canada. The variety of careers are vast, with a tremendous diversity among career paths.
Graduates of our programs are in high demand, with many job placements even prior to graduation.
Why study agriculture at UFV?
UFV’s Agriculture program prepares you for entry into the dynamic world of agriculture. Due to our favourable climate and proximity to some of the most fertile land in Canada, the opportunities for wonderful field trips and interaction with a wide host of local agricultural and horticultural businesses and organizations is tremendous. To serve our students and the agriculture industry, our programs combine theory and principles with practical training in horticulture, integrated pest management and livestock production. While studying at UFV, you will be getting valuable hands-on training in our state of the art production and laboratory facilities.
What type of career can I expect?
Career Opportunities in Horticulture:
For those with education and practical skills, career opportunities in agriculture are excellent. UFV agriculture graduates are successful in finding jobs throughout the horticulture industry.
They find employment in greenhouses, golf courses and landscaping companies, as grounds maintenance personnel and as technicians with various levels of government. Others find careers in the agri-business sector in marketing, sales, and service. Some graduates return to family-owned enterprises or start their own small business.
Qualified graduates of the diploma option in horticulture are eligible to ladder into the Bachelor of Business Administration for Agriculture Management program at UFV, or transfer to Olds College in Alberta where they will receive transfer credit towards a Bachelor of Science degree in applied horticulture technology.
Career Opportunities in Livestock:
UFV agriculture graduates have excellent success in finding jobs in the livestock sector as well as in more general agricultural industries. Sample livestock related occupation include dairy farm manager or owner/operator, dairy herdsperson, artificial insemination specialist, ranch hand, sale representative for livestock-related supplies, government livestock and forage technician, swineherd production assistant, and poultry producers.
Career Opportunities in IPM:
People with IPM training are needed by the horticulture industry to identify and assess pest problems, and help to recommend and help to implement management programs. Career opportunities in IPM for qualified applicants are expected to increase over the next several years.
Graduates may find work as IPM field scouts in nurseries, greenhouses, or for field crop and/or orchard operations. Graduates may work directly for growers, for IPM consulting firms, or as technicians in various government research programs.
What will I learn in the programs?
Horticulture Crop Production and Protection Options
Graduates of the one-year Horticulture Crop Production and Protection certificate program will be qualified to seek work as competent assistants in field crop production, in government, as technicians, in greenhouses, nursery greenhouses, garden centres, landscape companies and in grounds maintenance. Some graduates start their own businesses.
The one-year Horticulture Crop Production and Protection certificate transfers completely to the two-year Agriculture Technology diploma, Horticulture Crop Production and Protection option. Some credits may also transfer to other two-year programs in horticulture. Qualifying students may also be eligible to receive the equivalent of Year I apprenticeship in production horticulture. Contact the Agriculture department head for more information.
Students will be actively involved in practical, hands-on activities on the UFV campuses and in the Agriculture Technology department greenhouses and plant nursery area. All students are required to perform greenhouse-related work on the Chilliwack campus outside of regular class hours. As well, many courses have required field trips at student expense.
Livestock Production Options
Students seeking practical training in livestock production can earn a Livestock Production certificate. Graduates of this program will be qualified to seek employment on dairy farms, as government technicians, in other supply and livestock sectors, and in the agri-service sectors. Some graduates start their own enterprises.
The one-year Livestock Production certificate program transfers completely to the two-year Agriculture Technology diploma, Livestock Production option. Graduates may also be able to transfer their Livestock Production certificate to other Agriculture diploma programs.
Sample topics:
- Soil Management and Conservation
- Introduction to the Health and Nutrition of Farm Animals
- Fruit Crop Production
- Dairy Production and Management
- Introduction to On-Farm Food Safety, Quality, Security, and Defense
- Equine Production and Management
- Horticulture Skills and Techniques
- Fundamentals of Pest Management
- Ruminant Animal Health
- Pest Biology and Identification
- Introduction to the Health and Nutrition of Farm Animals
- Nursery Production and Propagation Practices
- Farm and Equipment Safety
Sounds good. What do I do next?
Check out UFV’s online calendar. Read the Agriculture section and program description carefully and if you wish to contact us call Shelley at 1-888- 504-7441 Ext: 2813, or email shelley.hayes@ufv.ca
Next, you can download an application form and submit it, along with the $45 application fee, to any UFV Admissions and Records office. If you’re currently in Grade 12, you can apply now.
When should I apply?
Applications are accepted on a continuous basis.
What do I need to get in?
1. The minimum entrance requirement for all Agriculture programs is B.C. secondary school graduation or equivalent, and
2. English 11, Principles of Math 11 or any other Mathematics 11 course, and one of the following Grade 11 sciences:
• Biology 11
• Chemistry 11
• Earth Sciences 11
• Physics 11 or
• Agriculture 11 and 12. A minimum grade of C is required in both Agriculture 11 and Agriculture 12 for admission.
What are the program requirements?
Each semester, all students take a set of core courses to provide them with background knowledge applicable for all agricultural disciplines. Upon entering a program, you must also select one of the options in year one: Horticulture Crop Production and Protection, or Livestock Production. In the second year of the diploma program, students who have completed the Horticulture Crop Production and Protection option continue their studies in Horticulture Crop Production and Protection. Students in the Livestock Production option continue their studies in Livestock Production.
Students take specialty courses in their chosen option every semester to prepare them for careers in each of these professional options. It is your responsibility to ensure that course selections fulfill graduation requirements. If you are not enrolled in the regular full-time sequence, you are especially urged to consult with the Agriculture department head before registering each semester.
In the fall semester, courses all run at the Chilliwack campus for 15 weeks. The winter semester courses run at the Chilliwack campus for 12 weeks, then all qualified one-year certificate and diploma students complete a three-week practicum course (AGRI 192 or 292) at selected host farms/businesses throughout the Fraser Valley. Students must have reliable transportation for the practicum work placements. All practica are done without remuneration.
All programs require some mandatory work, where students must spend time on campus outside of regular class hours on practical work projects associated with course work. Students may also be required to participate, occasionally, in setting up and staffing educational displays on agriculture for the general public. Students may be required to attend some local industry short courses at their own expense. Class field trips are mandatory, unless students are otherwise advised. These may be held outside of regularly scheduled classes, including Saturdays, and some expenses may be incurred by students.
For all programs, a GPA of 2.0, or the permission of the department head, is required for students who wish to register in a subsequent semester. An overall GPA of 2.0 with a minimum grade of pass in all courses is required for graduation.
Auditing students: Students who decide to audit a course in the Agriculture Technology department must make their decision known at least 30 days before the end of classes. Auditing students may be required to complete course assignments. Auditing a course will not, however, satisfy graduation requirements.
How much will it cost?
See the Fees and Other Costs section. In addition to tuition fees, you should budget approximately $1,500 annually for textbooks, field trips, and other expenses related to the practica.
It’s also worth a visit to the UFV financial aid and awards office, which facilitates the disbursement each year of about $12 million in federal and provincial student loans, grants, bursaries, scholarships, and awards to UFV students.
Anything else I need to know?
Applicants with allergies to dust, pollen, or animal dander should be wary of entering this program. Students should have a strong desire for hands-on work with plants or animals, and be willing to work outside, often in inclement weather. Reasonable physical condition is recommended as students will be asked to participate in tasks that involve standing, lifting, bending and turning.
Note: While the Composition Placement Test (CPT) is not necessary for applying to this program, it is a prerequisite for CMNS 125, one of the required program courses. See the course description for CMNS 125 for other ways to meet the prerequisites. Students who plan to take the CPT should do so at least a month before they register for CMNS 125.
Students having English as a second language must meet UFV language proficiency standards in advance of admission to the department. Students needing ESL courses to upgrade their language skills may do so through the ESL department. Early application to the agriculture program is essential in order for the language assessment exam to be administered.
Students entering the one-year certificate and two-year diploma programs are expected to be computer literate. This means knowing how to run programs from a Windows environment, and having basic internet, word processing, and spreadsheet skills. Those who do not have these skills are advised to take an introductory computer course before they begin their studies in agriculture.
If you do not have the required entrance courses, you may obtain information from UFV on the availability of preparatory courses. Mature students lacking recent preparation are advised to consult with the agriculture department head about refresher courses in math, biology, and reading and study skills, etc., well in advance of the program start date.
You must have your own transportation and appropriate clothing, including steel-toed workboots, and are required to participate in on-the-job training at host farm/business sites without remuneration. To qualify for on-the-job training (practicum), you must be enrolled in the program full-time, with a minimum grade of pass in all the current semester's course work.
Students must bring a fully filled out Field Trip Waiver form with them on their first day of classes. Please download this document and carefully fill out all fields. If you are 18 years of age or under, this document must be filled out by your legal guardian. Failure to provide this form on the first day of class will prevent you from participating in required field trips.
Can I speak with someone about my options?
Yes! We want to hear from you! If you’re unsure of your direction, contact us at 1-888- 504-7441 Ext: 2813, or email shelley.hayes@ufv.ca, or phone Student Services at 1-888-504-7441 to arrange a tour, attend a Becoming a Student info session, connect with an educational advisor, or arrange for career counselling. We look forward to hearing from you!
Please enjoy browsing through our website, and if you have any questions, contact us directly at shelley.hayes@ufv.ca or phone us at 604-795-2813.
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