Sustainable Farming

• SSF-021 Greenhouse Propagation and Production
• SSF-025 Mixed Livestock Production
• SSF-020 Mixed Crop Production Fundamentals
• SSF-026 Sustainability & Climate Change
• SSF-027 Agricultural Equipment and Tools
• SSF-013 Business Plan Preparation
• TFS-010 FoodSafe Level I *
• WSF-019 Orientation to WHMIS Online *
• MVO-071 Transport of Dangerous Goods - Online *
• OFA-010 Occupational First Aid Level 1 or FAC-020 Emergency First Aid*
• BKK-020 Bookkeeping & Excel for Small Business Accounting

* Note: TFS-010, WSF-019, MVO-071, and OFA-010/FAC-020 must be completed in the first month of the program.

Completion Requirements

• Students must successfully complete each core course and all mandatory safety training courses required within the program.

Admission Requirements

Prospective students should be able to lift up to 20 kilograms. General physical fitness and the ability to use hand tools for extended periods of time — such as garden hoes, weeding tools and shovels — are also requirements.

How to Apply

1. Complete the Continuing Education Application for Admission.  Forms can be dropped off or mailed to the Student Services office at your local campus, along with payment for your course fees. If you have questions, please call or email Susan Murray 250-334-5092 or susan.murray@nic.bc.ca.

Accessible Learning

Making education accessible for those with a documented disability is a key priority for NIC. We offer a wide range of services, supports and resources for students. For more information visit: Accessible Learning Services.

Program Highlights

Taught by experienced organic farmers and horticulturalists, this program is designed to familiarize students with the main theories, concepts and practices of small-scale mixed farming. You’ll learn in greenhouse propagation, mixed livestock, farm equipment operation, sustainability, climate change mitigation and adaptation as well as market garden production.

Students will also develop business management skills, marketing skills as well as crop planning, and budgeting.

Career Opportunities

With the cost of produce from California continually increasing and a growing awareness of the environmental costs associated with trucking and transportation, there is a huge opportunity for market gardening to expand in the Comox Valley and beyond. This expansion will require trained gardeners to work on the farms and to own and operate market gardens.

Schedule

This program is offered Tuesday - Thursday during the day time at Lentelus Farms. The first aid and FoodSafe training will be held outside of these days.

Supply list

Please come to the first day of class with comfortable clothes and shoes and be prepared to work outside.