Organic agriculture is often considered knowledge-intensive and pulls from disciplines like biology, ecology, chemistry and many others. Luckily, there are many courses out there to help you navigate your understanding of organic agriculture and its practices. What better way to invest in your organic farm or business than by taking an organized course? Not only will you benefit from the learnings, but you’ll also share experiences with like-minded growers and classmates.
We’ve compiled a list of courses, certificates and programs offered across Canada—from practical gardening courses to university-level programs. Many of them are even online, so you can join from the comfort of your farm or closest café with Wi-Fi!
Did we miss one? Write to us at editor@cog.ca and we’ll add it to our list online.
ORGANIC MASTER GARDENER COURSES:
Canadian Organic Growers
Vancouver Island, Calgary, Toronto
1-877-375-7383
Burnaby Community and Continuing Education (in partnership with Gaia College)
Burnaby, BC
www.burnabycce.ca/courses/organic-master-gardener-certificate/
604-296-6901
Royal Roads University (in partnership with Gaia College)
Victoria, BC
secure.royalroads.ca/cscourses/organic-master-gardener
250-391-2511
Stony Plain Agricultural Society (in partnership with Gaia College)
Stony Plain, Alberta
http://multicentre.org/education/organic-master-gardeners/
Gaia College – Online course
Duncan, BC
www.gaiacollege.ca/organic-master-gardener-online.html
250-709-2229
PRACTICAL AND CERTIFICATE-LEVEL COURSES AND PROGRAMS:
Certificate in Organic Vegetable Seed Production – Online course
Canadian Organic Growers
Ottawa, ON
www.cog.ca/our-services/seedproductioncourse/
1-877-375-7383
Fundamentals of Organic Land Care – Online course
Fundamentals of Growing Food Organically – Online course
Organic Land Care Accreditation Course (in partnership with Gaia College)
Organic Land Care (Fundamentals – Level 1; Professional – Level 2; Advanced – Level 3)
Seneca College
Toronto, ON
www.senecacollege.ca/ce/index.html
Cherry.Langlois@senecacollege.ca
Sustainable Farming Certificate
Everdale Farm
Hillsburgh, ON
everdale.org/farmertraining/sustainable-farming-certificate/
Sustainable Agriculture Co-op Program
Fleming College
Peterborough, ON
flemingcollege.ca/programs/sustainable-agriculture-co-op
705-324-9144 ext. 3557
Sustainable Local Food – Online certificate program (6 courses)
St. Lawrence College
Cornwall, ON
613-345-0660
Sustainable Food Systems – 1-year advanced diploma program
Assiniboine Community College
Brandon, MB
assiniboine.net/program/162/sustainable-food-systems/program-details
ag.enviro@assiniboine.net
800.862.6307 ex.6685 (toll free)
Weed Control in Organic Agriculture – Online course
University of Saskatchewan
Saskatoon, SK
continuing.usask.ca/professional-development/weed.php
jill.turner@usask.ca
306-966-1382
Organic Horticulture Specialist – Online and classroom courses
Ecological Plant Knowledge for Organic Gardeners – Classroom course
Organic Land Care Accreditation – Classroom course
Gaia College
Duncan, BC
250-709-2229
Diploma in Organic Land Care – Diploma program (5 courses)
Gaia College
Duncan, BC
www.gaiacollege.ca/diploma-in-organic-land-care.html
250-709-2229
Farm Schools – 9-month practical training program
Kwantlen Polytechnic University
Institute for Sustainable Food Systems
Richmond, BC and Tsawwassen, BC
604-599-2000
Practicum in Sustainable Agriculture – 8-month experiential learning program
University of British Columbia, Centre for Sustainable Food Systems at UBC Farm
ubcfarm.ubc.ca/community/practicum-in-sustainable-agriculture/practicum-application-form/
604-822-5092
UNIVERSITY COURSES AND PROGRAMS:
Transition to Organic Agriculture – Online university course
Composting and Compost Use – Online university course
Principles of Organic Horticulture – Online university course
Organic Field Crop Management – Online university course
Organic Livestock Production – Online university course
Dalhousie University
Truro, NS
www.dal.ca/faculty/agriculture/oacc/en-home/education/undergraduate-level-courses.html
902-893-7256
Certificate of Specialization in Organic Agriculture – Online certification program
Dalhousie University
Truro, NS
For university credit: dean.agriculture@dal.ca
For non-credit courses: extended.learning@dal.ca
902-893-6600
Microprogramme en Agriculture Biologique – Bachelor of Science
Université Laval
Québec, QC
418-656-2131 ext. 5582
Introduction à l’agriculture biologique – University course
Compostage et utilisation du compost en agriculture biologique – University course
Production biologique des cultures en champ – University course
Productions d’animales durables – University course
Université Laval
Québec, QC
418-656-2131
Ecological Agriculture Specialization – Bachelor of Science (AgEnvSc)
McGill University
Ste. Anne de Bellevue, QC
www.mcgill.ca/macdonald/prospective/degrees/bscagenvsc/specializations/ecolagr
514-398-7707
Certificate Ecological Agriculture – University certificate program
McGill University
Ste. Anne de Bellevue, QC
514-398-7707
Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems – B.A., B.Sc.
Trent University
Peterborough, ON
www.trentu.ca/agriculture/sustainable-agriculture-and-food-systems
705-748-1011 ext. 7199
Organic Agriculture Certificate – University certificate program (beginning in fall 2018)
University of Guelph
Guelph, ON
519-824-4120
Introduction to Organic Agriculture – University course
Design of Organic Production Systems – University course
Social Issues in Organic Agriculture – University course
University of Guelph
Guelph, ON
www.uoguelph.ca/registrar/calendars/undergraduate/2017-2018/c12/c12oagr.shtml
519-824-4120
Organic Crop Production on the Prairies – University degree and diploma course
University of Manitoba
204-474-9295
Agroecology – Bachelor of Science, with co-op option
University of Manitoba
www.umanitoba.ca/faculties/afs/programs/agroecology.html
204-474-9295
Sustainable Agriculture Systems major – Bachelor of Science
University of Alberta
780-492-2131
Key Indicators of Agroecosystem Sustainability – Online course
University of British Columbia
Vancouver, BC
courses.students.ubc.ca/cs/main?pname=subjarea&tname=subjareas&req=5&dept=APBI&course=361§ion=199
Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems – Bachelor of Applied Science
Kwantlen Polytechnic University
Richmond, BC
www.kpu.ca/agriculture/program
604-599-2000