Grow your business skills for a career in the increasingly complex agriculture industry.

The two-year Business - Agriculture Ontario College Diploma program combines agriculture with business and management training, providing you with the skills necessary to successfully operate a farming operation or to provide services to agricultural businesses. Agriculture is an increasingly complex industry, with sophisticated agribusiness managers required to make decisions about crop/herd selection and improvement, pest and soil management, equipment maintenance, farm safety and agricultural production. At the same time, there is a growing need for skills and knowledge to apply management concepts related to agricultural financial administration, human resources, operational efficiency, government regulations, technology, sales and marketing.

Through this program, you examine agricultural techniques through a business lens. With a focus on developing fundamental research, financial and operations skills to evaluate farm production methodologies, technologies and systems in order to inform business decisions. You have opportunities to apply your knowledge and skills through activities, simulations, case studies and interactions with professionals in active farm operations.

Students also have the option to gain real-world experience through a paid co-operative education (co-op) work term (see Additional Information for more details). Please note that places in the co-op work term are subject to availability and academic eligibility. Please note admission to the co-op program does not guarantee a co-op placement.

Graduates may seek employment in entry-level farming positions or as entrepreneurs.

Graduates may also seek entry-level employment in a variety of companies and organizations that provide services in the agricultural sector, including businesses providing:

• agricultural supplies
• feed
• banking, accounting or logistical services
• process improvement or animal care support
• equipment and maintenance sales and services

SUCCESS FACTORS

This program is well-suited for students who:

• Are well organized and can work effectively under tight time constraints.
• Are team oriented and enjoy working with others.
• Are dedicated to food safety and sustainability.
• Are excited by the prospect of taking a hands-on approach to learning and interacting with industry partners and business leaders.

Careers

Graduates may engage in entry-level or supervisory farming occupations, become managers in their family business, or become entrepreneurs. Graduates may also find entry-level positions as agricultural equipment and supplies salesperson, agricultural customer support representative, technical sales specialist or agricultural financial or insurance associate.

Pathways

Please use our Pathways tool to search for pathway options.

The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to:

1. Identify and discuss the impact of global issues on an organization`s business opportunities by using an environmental scan.
2. Apply principles of corporate sustainability, corporate social responsibility and ethics to support an organization`s business initiatives.
3. Use current concepts/systems and technologies to support an organization`s business initiatives.
4. Apply basic research skills to support business decision making.
5. Support the planning, implementation and monitoring of projects.
6. Perform work in compliance with relevant statutes, regulations and business practices.
7. Explain the role of the human resource function and its impact on an organization.
8. Use accounting and financial principles to support the operations of an organization.
Describe and apply marketing and sales concepts used to support the operations of an organization.
9. Outline principles of supply chain management and operations management.
10. Outline and assess the components of a business plan.
11. Develop strategies for ongoing personal and professional development to enhance work performance in the business field.
12. Analyze procedures, guidelines and best practices to ensure safe operation and maintenance of agricultural equipment to maximize the lifespan and ROI of farm assets.
13. Evaluate agricultural methods and technologies, based on physical environmental conditions and agricultural practices to promote efficiency, profitability and quality of production.
14. Identify and apply discipline-specific practices that contribute to the local and global community through social responsibility, economic commitment and environmental stewardship.

Application Information

BUSINESS - AGRICULTURE (CO-OP AND NON CO-OP VERSION)
Program Code 1938X01FPT

Applications to full-time day programs must be submitted with official transcripts showing completion of the academic admission requirements through:

ontariocolleges.ca
60 Corporate Court
Guelph, Ontario N1G 5J3
1-888-892-2228

Students currently enrolled in an Ontario secondary school should notify their Guidance Office prior to their online application at www.ontariocolleges.ca.

Applications for Fall Term and Winter Term admission received by February 1 will be given equal consideration. Applications received after February 1 will be processed on a first-come, first-served basis as long as places are available.

International applicants applying from out-of-country can obtain the International Student Application Form at https://algonquincollege.force.com/myACint/.

or by contacting the Registrar`s Office.

For further information on the admissions process, contact:

Registrar`s Office
Algonquin College Heritage Institute
7 Craig Street
Perth, ON K7H 1X7
Local: 613-267-2859
Toll-free: 1-800-565-4723
TTY: 1-866-620-3845
Fax: 613-267-3950
www.algonquincollege.com/perth

Program Resources

CO-OP INFORMATION:
All applicants apply directly to the non-co-op version of this program through OntarioColleges.ca or our International Application Portal. Students may elect to participate in the co-op version, two terms prior to the first co-op work term, subject to availability and academic eligibility.

Co-operative education (Co-op) allows students to integrate their classroom learning with a real-world experience through paid work terms. Two academic terms prior to the cooperative education work term, students are required to actively participate in and successfully complete the self-directed co-op course, readiness activities and workshops.

Students must actively conduct a guided, self-directed job search and are responsible for securing approved program-related paid co-op employment. Students compete for co-op positions alongside students from Algonquin College and other Canadian and international colleges and universities. Algonquin College`s Co-op Department provides assistance in developing co-op job opportunities and guides the overall process, but does not guarantee that a student will obtain employment in a co-op work term. Co-op students may be required to relocate to take part in the co-op employment opportunities available in their industry and must cover all associated expenses; e.g., travel, work permits, visa applications, accommodation and all other incurred expenses.

Co-op work terms are typically 14 weeks in duration and are completed during a term when students are not taking courses. For more information on your program`s co-op level(s), visit the courses tab on your program`s webpage.

International students enrolled in a co-op program are required by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to have a valid Co-op/Internship Work Permit prior to commencing their work term. Without this document International students are not legally eligible to engage in work in Canada that is part of an academic program. The Co-op/Internship Work Permit does not authorize international students to work outside the requirements of their academic program.

For more information on co-op programs, the co-op work/study schedule, as well as general and program-specific co-op eligibility criteria, please visit www.algonquincollege.com/coop.

Programs at Algonquin College are Bring Your Own Device (BYOD). To see the BYOD requirements for your program, please visit: https://www7.algonquincollege.com/byod/.

Specific Laddering Opportunities:
The Business-Agriculture program shares several common, core courses with other Business Certificates, Diplomas and Advanced Diplomas at Algonquin College. As such, graduates of Algonquin Business Certificates and Diplomas who are admitted into the Business-Agriculture program, can receive credit for several shared courses. Likewise, graduates of the Business-Agriculture Diploma may apply to other Certificate, Diploma or Advanced Diploma programs and receive credit for shared and equivalent courses. Algonquin College School of Business programs that share several common core courses include Diplomas in Business-Accounting, Marketing and Management and Entrepreneurship as well as Advanced Diplomas in Business Administration- Accounting, Finance, General Business, Human Resources, International Business, Marketing or Supply Chain and Operations Management.

It is strongly recommended that students use a PC. Mac students may be required to install and learn additional software to successfully complete the course.