Duncan’s Vancouver Island University campus is now testing three courses that will help students learn the science behind sustainable agriculture production.
According to VIU the new courses are part of the Continuing Education and Training Association (CETA) of BC to fill the need for science-based agriculture certifications in BC’s universities and regional colleges.
Lead program coordinator Julia Fisher says the courses are eligible for the StrongerBC future skills grant, which will ensure students don’t have to worry about fees while at VIU.
“The cost of these courses are fully covered with this grant,” she says. “Our hope is to make these courses more accessible as possible for the farming community.”
The university says the courses have up to 10 sessions and usually include two on-site field days as well as readings, three-hour online classes, exercises, management planning and guest speakers.
Funding for the courses come from CETA BC, SeedChange and the Canadian Organic Growers, while the Ministry of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills funded the Agroecology course.
