Department website: www.ufv.ca/agriculture
Agriculture is a vital and dynamic force in the British Columbia economy. A significant part of the population is concerned with one or more of the many aspects of supplying food and other agricultural products to the province and to markets around the world. Whether you are interested in a comprehensive two-year diploma, a one-year livestock, horticulture, or integrated pest management certificate, or the 12-week milker training program, the UCFV Agriculture department can meet your training needs. Emphasis in all programs is placed on holistic management practices which are compatible with agricultural sustainability and society’s increasing concerns about food safety, animal welfare, and the environment.
Students from all parts of British Columbia who are interested in pursuing an agricultural career can take a two-year Agricultural Technology diploma program at UCFV's Chilliwack campus. Students are given the opportunity to acquire training in modern business management, production, and marketing techniques as they apply to agricultural production. Each of the program options provides an excellent balance between theory and practice.
Diplomas offered:
Certificates offered:
Transfer to Other Educational Institutes
UCFV can sometimes arrange transfers to other two-year agricultural programs for those students who would like to take their second year of study in another province. Qualified students may also be able to apply their two-year diploma programs in either horticulture or integrated pest management towards a Bachelor of Applied Horticultural Technology degree, at Olds College, Alberta. Contact the agriculture director for detailed information.
Entrance Requirements
1. The minimum entrance requirement for the Agriculture diploma program is B.C. secondary
school graduation or equivalent.
2. English 11, Biology 11 and Principles of Mathematics 11 (or Math 11).
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. Students are advised to arrange for the CPT well before they
plan to register for CMNS 125.
Students having English as a second language must complete an
assessment exam with the ESL department in advance of admission to the department. Early
application to the agriculture program is essential in order for the language assessment
exam to be administered.
If you do not have the required entrance courses, you may obtain
information from UCFV on the availability of preparatory courses. Mature students lacking
recent preparation are advised to consult with the agriculture director 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.
How to Apply
1. Submit the application fee along with your UCFV application for admission form to the
Admissions and Records (A&R) office. Application forms are available from any A&R
or Student Services office. See complete list of application dates and general
information.
Applications are accepted any time, with admission granted to qualified applicants based
on date of application. If you wish to speak to the director, call (604) 795-2813, to make
an appointment. Those wanting only part-time studies are especially encouraged to see the
director.
Additional documents required for a complete application:
2. Upon admission to the program you will be invited to register. A deposit is required
when you register (see the Fees and Other Costs section.) This money will be
applied to the tuition fees and is not refundable. Final payment of all course fees is due
the end of the second week of classes.
If you wish to begin taking courses at UCFV while waiting for a space to become available
in this program, it will be necessary to submit a separate application to take courses as
a general student.
3. In cases where interim transcripts are submitted, an admission decision may be made conditional upon completion of academic requirements. For fall entry, proof of completion of entrance requirements is due the end of the first week in August.
Fees and Additional Costs
In addition to tuition fees, you should
budget approximately $1,500 annually for textbooks, field trips and other expenses related
to the practica. See the Fees and Other Costs section for more information.
An additional charge is assessed to cover the cost of materials and
examination fees for students writing the Provincial Pesticide Applicator’s or
Dispensor’s examination.
Dates and Locations
To complete the diploma program in the minimum time (two
years) you should start in September. You may start many courses in January. However,
because of sequencing requirements, students starting in January may have to pick up some
of the courses during an extra semester. You should consult with the agriculture director
for more details. The program is based at the Chilliwack campus.
Year 1: Semester I September–December
Semester II January–April
Year 2: Semester III September–December
Semester IV January–April
Program Requirements
Each semester, all diploma students take a set of core
courses to provide them with background knowledge applicable for all agricultural
disciplines. Upon entering the program, you must also select one of the three diploma
options: horticulture, integrated pest management, or 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 fulfil graduation requirements. If you are not enrolled in the regular
full-time sequence, you are especially urged to consult with the agriculture director
before registering each semester.
In the diploma programs, 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 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 practicums 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, from time-to-time, 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.
A GPA of 2.0, or the permission of the director, 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 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.
Program Outline — Diploma
First Year
Semester I (Fall)
Course Title Credits
AGRI 105 Food, Society and the Environment: An Intro to Agri
Systems 4
AGRI 111 Introduction to Soils 3
AGRI 151 Introduction to Computers 3
AGRI 183 Farm and Equipment Safety 1
BUS 221 Professional Selling 3
In even-numbered years, students specializing in livestock production must also
take:
AGRI 138 Swine Production 3
AGRI 238 Equine Production and Management 3
In odd-numbered years, students specializing in livestock production must also
take:
AGRI 232 Beef Production 3
AGRI 236 Production of Sheep, Poultry and Other
Livestock Species 3
Students specializing in horticulture or IPM must also take:
AGRI 126 Agri Pests & Pesticide Licensing 2
AGRI 127 Agri Pest Lab 1
In even-numbered years students specializing in horticulture or IPM must also
take:
AGRI 222 Vegetable Crop Production 3
In odd-numbered years students specializing in horticulture or IPM must also take:
AGRI 223 Fruit Crop Production 3
Semester II (Winter)
Course Title Credits
AGRI 102 Ecology of Agricultural Production
Systems 2
AGRI 112 Soil Fertility and Fertilizers 2
AGRI 142 Agri-business Principles 3
AGRI 192 Practicum I 3
CMNS 125 Business Communications I 3
Students specializing in livestock production must also take:
AGRI 134 Ruminant Animal Health 2
AGRI 231 Dairy Production and Management 2
Students specializing in horticulture production must also take:
AGRI 124 Introduction to Horticulture 2
AGRI 125 Horticulture Lab 1
AGRI 224 Greenhouse Production 2
Students specializing in IPM must also take:
AGRI 124 Introduction to Horticulture 2
AGRI 205 IPM Techniques and Equipment 2
AGRI 226 Turfgrass Production
(recommended, not required) 2
Second Year: Production Options
In Semesters III and IV (second year), your selected
program option determines which courses
must be taken.
Semester III (Fall)
Course Title Credits
AGRI 146 World Food Policy 3
AGRI 211 Soil Management and Conservation 3
AGRI 242 Enterprise Project: Part I 1.5
CMNS 225 Business Communications II, Part I
(continued in Semester IV)
1.5
Students specializing in livestock production must also take:
AGRI 126 Agri Pests and Pesticide Licensing 2
AGRI 127 Agri Pest Lab 1
In even-numbered years, students specializing in livestock production must also
take:
AGRI 138 Swine Production 3
AGRI 238 Equine Production and Management 3
In odd-numbered years, students specializing in livestock production must also take:
AGRI 232 Beef Production 3
AGRI 236 Production of Sheep, Poultry, and Other Livestock
Species 3
Students specializing in horticulture production must also take:
AGRI 200 Introduction to IPM 2
AGRI 220 Plants in the Landscape 2
AGRI 225 Horticulture Lab II 1
AGRI 227 Nursery Production and Propagation
Practices 3
In even-numbered years, students specializing in horticulture production must also
take:
AGRI 222 Vegetable Crop Production 3
In odd-numbered years, students specializing in horticulture production must also
take:
AGRI 223 Fruit Crop Production 3
Students specializing in IPM must also take:
AGRI 200 Intro to IPM 2
AGRI 225 Horticulture Lab II 1
AGRI 227 Nursery Production and Propagation
Practices 3
In even-numbered years, students specializing in IPM must also take:
AGRI 222 Vegetable Crop Production 3
In odd-numbered years, students specializing in IPM must also take:
AGRI 223 Fruit Crop Production 3
Note: AGRI 220, Plants in the Landscape, is strongly recommended but not
required for IPM students.
Semester IV (Winter)
Course Title Credits
AGRI 164 Alternatives and Issues in Agriculture 2
AGRI 242 Enterprise Project: Part II 1.5
AGRI 251 Agri-data Systems 2
AGRI 262 Introduction to Agri Economics 2
AGRI 292 Practicum II 3
BUS 120 Essentials of Marketing 3
CMNS 225 Business Communications II, Part II 1.5
Students specializing in livestock production must also take:
AGRI 228 Forage Crop Production 2
Students specializing in horticulture must also take:
AGRI 226 Turfgrass Production 2
Note: AGRI 205, IPM Techniques and Equipment, is recommended but not
required for horticulture students.
Students specializing in IPM must also take:
AGRI 125 Horticulture Lab 1
AGRI 224 Greenhouse Production 2
Note: AGRI 226, Turfgrass Production, is recommended but not required for
IPM students.
Course Listings
For complete details on courses see Course Descriptions.
The IPM certificate program can lead to a rewarding career
as a technician in the rapidly developing field of IPM. Entrance requirements, application
fees, and location are the same as those listed under Agriculture Technology. A
Composition Placement Test is required for CMNS 125.
A partial transfer of credits from the one-year IPM certificate program
to the two-year diploma options in either horticulture or IPM at UCFV is possible. Some
credit transfer to other two-year horticulture programs may be possible. Students
completing one- or two-year programs in horticulture at other institutions may receive
partial credit for previous coursework if they transfer to the UCFV IPM certificate
program. Contact the agriculture director for information.
A GPA of 2.0, or the permission of the director, 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.
Fall semester courses for this program all run at the Chilliwack campus
for 15 weeks. The winter semester courses run at the Chilliwack campus for 12 weeks, then
all qualified IPM certificate students complete a three-week practicum course (AGRI 192)
at selected host farms/businesses throughout the Fraser Valley. Students must have
reliable transportation for the practicum work placement. All practicums are done without
remuneration.
Program Outline — Integrated Pest Management
Semester I (Fall)
Course Title Credits
AGRI 126 Agri Pests and Pesticide Licensing 2
AGRI 127 Agri Pest Lab 1
AGRI 150 Computers in the Workplace 3
AGRI 183 Farm and Equipment Safety 1
AGRI 200 Introduction to IPM 2
AGRI 225 Horticulture Lab II 1
AGRI 227 Nursery Production and Propagation Practices
3
CMNS 125 Business Communications I 3
In even-numbered years:
AGRI 222 Vegetable Crop Production 3
In odd-numbered years:
AGRI 223 Fruit Crop Production 3
Semester II (Winter)
Course Title Credits
AGRI 102 Ecology of Agricultural Production Systems 2
AGRI 114 Soils for Horticulture 2
AGRI 124 Intro to Horticulture 2
AGRI 125 Horticulture Lab 1
AGRI 144 The Business of Horticulture 2
AGRI 164 Alternatives and Issues in Agriculture 2
AGRI 192 Practicum I 3
AGRI 205 IPM Techniques and Equipment 2
AGRI 224 Greenhouse Production 2
Students seeking practical training in livestock
production can earn a Livestock Production certificate. Entrance requirements, application
procedures, fees, and location are the same as those listed under Agriculture Technology
diploma. The Livestock Production certificate program starts in the fall semester. A
Composition Placement Test is required for CMNS 125.
Partial transfer of credits from the one-year certificate program to
the Livestock Production option of the two-year diploma program at UCFV, is possible for
qualified students.
A GPA of 2.0, or the permission of the director, 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.
Fall semester courses for this program all run at the Chilliwack campus
for 15 weeks. The winter semester courses run at the Chilliwack campus for 12 weeks, then
all qualified livestock production certificate students complete a three-week practicum
course (AGRI 192) at selected host farms/businesses throughout the Fraser Valley. Students
must have reliable transportation for the practicum work placements. All practicums are
done without remuneration.
Program Outline — Livestock Production
Semester I (Fall)
Course Title Credits
AGRI 105 Food, Society and the Environment: An Introduction to
Agricultural Systems 4
AGRI 111 Introduction to Soils 3
AGRI 150 Computers in the Workplace 3
AGRI 183 Farm and Equipment Safety 1
CMNS 125 Business Communications I 3
In even-numbered years:
AGRI 138 Swine Production 3
AGRI 238 Equine Production and Management 3
In odd-numbered years:
AGRI 232 Beef Production 3
AGRI 236 Production of Sheep, Poultry, and Other Livestock
Species 3
Semester II (Winter)
Course Title Credits
AGRI 112 Soil Fertility and Fertilizers 2
AGRI 126 Agri Pests and Pesticide Licensing 2
AGRI 127 Agri Pests Lab 1
AGRI 134 Ruminant Animal Health 2
AGRI 142 Agri-business Principles 3
AGRI 192 Practicum I 3
AGRI 228 Forage Crop Production 2
AGRI 231 Dairy Production and Management 2
Qualified students who successfully complete the one-year Livestock Production certificate
program may also opt to receive a Milker Training certificate by working in a milking
parlour to fulfil the requirements for AGRI 192, Practicum I.
Note: Courses in artificial insemination and agricultural welding are
recommended. Information on outside agencies offering these courses can be obtained from
the Agriculture department. Approximate cost for these outside courses is $350. They are
recommended but not required.
Dairy farming is an important part of B.C. Agriculture.
The average dairy farmer milks from 45 to 70 cows, although some farms have milking herds
of over 300 head. Competent milkers are in demand in the dairy farming areas of the
province.
Milking high-producing dairy cows is a responsible job! The good milker
handles cows quietly and efficiently, following sanitary procedures and correct milking
techniques. The milker ensures sanitation of all milking equipment and cleanliness in the
milking parlours. A milker's duties also often include feeding, care of young stock, barn
cleaning and maintenance, recordkeeping and machine operation. Work is often divided into
a morning and evening shift; sometimes a milker lives on the employer's farm. The
full-time Milker Training program prepares trainees for this type of employment. Upon
successful completion of the program, students receive a Milker Training certificate.
Entrance Requirements
1. Good physical health
2. B.C. secondary school graduation or equivalent
3. Permission of the agriculture director
Trainees must provide their own transportation to and from the training farm and be
willing to work flexible hours. Persons most likely to succeed will enjoy working with
animals. Class attendance at all sessions is mandatory.
How to Apply
1. Submit the application fee along with your UCFV
application for admission form to the Admissions and Records (A&R) office. Application
forms are available from any A&R or Student Services office. See complete list of
application dates and general information.
Names may be left any time; however, applications will be processed in November and
admission is granted to qualified applicants based on date of application in early
December.
Additional documents required for a complete application:
2. The Admissions and Records office will inform you if an interview or orientation
session is required.
3. You will be advised whether you have been admitted to the program and whether there is
space for you. You will be invited to register.
Fees and Additional Costs
In addition to tuition fees, you should budget approximately $800 for textbooks, field trips, rubber boots, coveralls, and supplies.
Program Description
The Milker Training program is only offered in the winter
semester. Students must take all courses concurrently, or have previously completed AGRI
183, 134, and 231 with a grade point of 2.0 (C) or better in each course in order to enrol
in AGRI 103 and AGRI 104. You must complete all required courses with a minimum grade
point of 2.0 (C) in order to receive a Milker Training certificate.
All students will be required to work without remuneration in the UCFV
barn and on host-farm sites throughout their 12-week program. Everyone will be assigned a
combination of early morning milkings (around 4 a.m. start) and afternoon milkings (around
4 p.m. start) before and after regular classes on the UCFV campus. All students must have
reliable transportation to and from their host farms and the campus and be able to
complete the on-farm work as assigned by the instructor.
Host farmers will assess each milker trainee on such qualities as
punctuality, reliability, willingness to follow instruction and to learn, and attitude in
working with others and handling dairy animals.
Program Outline — Milker Training
Course Title Credits
AGRI 103 Introduction to Milking and the Dairy Farm 5
AGRI 104 Practical Milking Work Experience 4
AGRI 134 Ruminant Animal Health 2
AGRI 183 Farm and Equipment Safety 1
AGRI 231 Dairy Production and Management 2
Note: Courses in artificial insemination and agricultural welding are
recommended. Information on outside agencies offering these courses can be obtained from
the Agriculture department. Approximate cost for these outside courses is $350. They are
recommended but not required.
Graduates of the one-year Ornamental Horticulture
Production certificate program will be qualified to seek work as competent assistants in
greenhouses, nurseries, garden centres and landscaping companies or as grounds maintenance
personnel.
Students may enter this program in either January or September.
However, early application is recommended to ensure admission for the next intake.
Students wanting to start in September should apply no later than July; students wanting a
January start should apply by November to be assured of a seat. Admission to the program
is granted to qualified applicants on a first-come, first-served basis, so the earlier the
application, the more likely the chance for admission in the next semester intake. Late
applications may be submitted, but your admission to the program may be delayed and your
name added to a waitlist. This is a Chilliwack-based program. All fall semester courses
are 15 weeks in length; winter semester courses are 12 weeks in length, then Ornamental
Horticulture certificate students complete a required three-week practical lab course, on
campus, in April.
Students will be actively involved in practical, hands-on activities on
the UCFV campuses and in the Agriculture department greenhouses. 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.
A partial transfer of credits from the one-year Ornamental Horticulture
certificate program to UCFV two-year diploma programs in horticulture and IPM is possible.
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 director for more information.
Entrance Requirements
a. Applicants must be at least 18 years old, and have
completed B.C. Grade 11, ABE Advanced, or equivalent.
b. Recommendations: Applicants must be in good physical condition, have a strong desire
for hands-on work with plants, and be willing to work outside, often in inclement weather.
A reading and study skills preparatory course is highly recommended before starting the
program for those applicants having only Grade 11 or equivalent. Information on fall
semester study skills courses is available through the UCFV Student Services department.
Applicants with allergies to dust, pollen, or plant products should be
wary of entering this program.
Previous work experience is recommended.
How to Apply
Applications for this program are accepted throughout the
year, with admission granted on a first-come basis. It is recommended that interested
students arrange an interview with the agriculture director at (604) 795-2813 before
admission to the program. Applicants should apply early as space is limited.
1. Submit the application fee along with your UCFV application for admission form to the
Admissions and Records (A&R) office. Application forms are available from any A&R
or Student Services office. See complete list of application dates and general
information.
Additional documents required for a complete application:
If you are in secondary school when you
apply, you may provide a letter from your counsellor
which indicates that you are in your last semester and likely to
complete successfully before the
program starts.
2. Upon admission to the program you will be invited to register. If you do not register
for courses and pay course deposits, your place will be given to the next person on the
program waiting list and you must reapply to the program. Space is limited.
A Composition Placement Test (CPT) score of 48 or higher is required before the September
semester starts. This test must be written in the early spring before fall semester
registration can be completed.
Fees and Additional Costs
In addition to tuition fees, you should budget
approximately $1,500 annually for textbooks, safety work boots, pocket knife, pruning
shears, work gloves, and rain gear. An additional charge of approximately $35 is assessed
to cover the cost of materials and examination fees for students writing the Provincial
Pesticide Applicator’s or Dispensor’s examination. Materials fees are also
charged for AGRI 294, Basic Landscape Design.
Required field trips may occasionally be scheduled outside of regular
class hours, including Saturdays. You should budget approximately $100 per semester to
cover out-of-town expenses for these trips.
Continuance in Program
GPA of 2.0, or the permission of the director, 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.
Program Outline — Ornamental Horticulture Production
Fall Semester
Course Title Credits
AGRI 150 Computers in the Workplace 3
AGRI 200 Introduction to IPM 2
AGRI 220 Plants in the Landscape 2
AGRI 225 Horticulture Lab II 1
AGRI 227 Nursery Production and Propagation Practices
3
AGRI 294 Basic Landscape Design 3
CMNS 125 Business Communications I 3
In even-numbered years:
AGRI 222 Vegetable Crop Production 3
In odd-numbered years:
AGRI 223 Fruit Crop Production 3
Winter Semester
Course Title Credits
AGRI 114 Soils for Horticulture 2
AGRI 124 Introduction to Horticulture 2
AGRI 125 Horticulture Lab 1
AGRI 126 Agri Pests and Pesticide Licensing 2
AGRI 127 Agri Pest Lab 1
AGRI 144 Business of Horticulture 2
AGRI 183 Farm and Equipment Safety 1
AGRI 194 Practical Horticulture 3
AGRI 205 IPM Techniques and Equipment 2
AGRI 224 Greenhouse Production 2
AGRI 226 Turfgrass Production 2
Course Listings
For complete details on courses see Course Descriptions.
Norma Senn, PAg; BSc, MSc, PhD (Wisconsin–Madison),
Director
Tom Baumann, PAg; Dip Ing Ag (J. Liebig), MSc (UBC)
Donna Costello, MPM (SFU)
Paul Gumprich, PAg; BSc (US)
Dan McDermid, DVM (WCVM)
Nancy Moore, Dip Tech (BCIT)
Rose Morrison, PAg; Ag Dip, BSA, MSc (Manitoba)
Jennifer Ryan, BA (UBC)
Greg St. Hilaire, MPM (SFU)
Brian Upper, DVM (WCVM)
Shelley Hayes, Departmental Assistant
Brent Bailey, Dip. Ag.Tech (UCFV), Departmental Technician
UCFV Agriculture programs are continually updated to
reflect the current requirements of potential employers. To assist the department in
determining these requirements, representatives of the agriculture community provide input
through regular meetings of a program advisory sub- committees. Current members of this
committee include:
Horticulture Advisory Committee
Mike Brass, Parks Superintendent, District of Chilliwack
Marlene Derksen, B.C. Agriculture Employment Services
Christine Koch, B.C. Ministry of Agriculture and Food, Abbotsford
Nancy Moore, Visions Green Enterprises, Abbotsford
Shawn Sponton, Techni-Gro Greenhouses, Chilliwack
IPM Advisory Committee
Andrea Davenport, ProTect Crop Protection Services
Marlene Derksen, Agriculture Employment Services
Mitch Foisy, Pacific Agriculture Research Centre, Agassiz
Dave Gillespie, Pacific Agriculture Research Centre, Agassiz
Edith Krause, Krause Brothers Farms, Langley
Leslie MacDonald, B.C. Ministry of Agriculture & Food, Abbotsford
Lisa Pierce, Consulting Integrated Pest Management specialist, Surrey
Jim Portree, B.C. Ministry of Agriculture and Food, Abbotsford
Tony Rudd, Reed Collins Nursery, Aldergrove
Livestock Advisory Committee
Marlene Derksen, B.C. Agriculture Employment Services
Jonathan Driesen, Vulnaho Dairy Farms Ltd., Abbotsford
Dr. Lorne Fisher, PAg, Pacific Agriculture Research Centre, retired,
Agassiz
Beth Mason, Swine producer, Abbotsford
Annette Moore, B.C. Ministry of Agriculture and Food, Abbotsford
Dr. Morley Rendall, Agriculture Canada, Chilliwack
Richard Toop, Toop farm, Chilliwack
Dion Wiebe, Rossdown Farms Ltd., Mt. Lehman