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Agriculture

Continuing Education Programming

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Agriculture Sales & Customer Support Certificate

Agriculture is the fastest growing industry in Canada and producers are busier than ever. To meet the increasing demand, producers look to agricultural sales, customer and technical support representatives as the experts in emerging ag tech trends, for innovative solutions.

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  • Agribusiness Finance Certificate

    student's learning in a field

    Advance your rural enterprise! Upgrade your management skills and improve your financial assessment skills! Whether you are a rural business owner or an agricultural lender, this online program will assist you in promoting better business practices within conventional and non-conventional agriculture.

    This Certificate is designed for the rural businessperson. A heavily agri-related online education, this certificate is ideal if you're looking to upgrade your management skills and improve your financial assessment abilities. Whether you're a rural business owner or an agricultural lender, this online program will assist you in promoting better business practices within conventional and non-conventional agriculture. - 4 required courses + 1 elective.

    • Each course can be taken on a stand-alone basis.
    • Each course is 15 weeks in duration
    • All courses entirely online, fitting your schedule
    • No previous college education necessary

    Dates: Courses offered January - May & September - December

    Delivery Method: Online

    Costs: Tuition - $543.12 per course plus textbook costs

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  • Agriculture Lender’s Workshop

    Training for Continuing Education training

    For more than 35 years, the Agriculture Lenders Workshop has been a professional development experience for beginning and continuing lenders and other financial professionals in the agricultural industry. This 5 day long virtual workshop provided by Olds College, a leader in virtual and distance learning, will provide each participant a window into today’s agriculture and instruction about how to be an effective farm lender.

    Dates: June 5-9, 2023

    Length of Workshop: 5 Days

    Delivery: Virtual, by Olds College

    Tuition:

    • Early Bird Special: $895 + GST until Mar 31, 2023
    • After Mar 31, 2023 $995

    * includes all the sessions and materials required for the workshop.

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  • Agronomy Certificate Level I

    Student holding seeds

    Train while you work!

    This entry-level program answers the industry's call for trained crop scouts possessing basic agronomic skills. Interactive online discussion is emphasized to meet your needs, and an on-campus Field School will cap the program of study. You may have had previous post-secondary training but lack specific knowledge in agriculture, or you may have agricultural experience in another country but require specific training in Western Canadian farming practices. Course specifics include:

    • Crop Production Systems
    • Insect & Disease Management
    • Intro Soils & Crop Nutrition
    • Weed Fundamentals
    • Field Scouting and Data Management
    • Field School (online & 5-day residency)

    Delivery: Online with 5-day Field School Residency on Olds Campus

    Course Dates: Course dependent

    Costs: Tuition - $799 per course plus textbook

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  • Agronomy Certificate Level II

    Agronomy Level II

    The Agronomy Certificate Level II program builds upon the agronomic skills gained in the Level I certificate. Upon completion of these courses, you will be able to integrate agronomic concepts and make general recommendations regarding crop production.

    As with Level I, this program will include interactive online discussion emphasized to meet learner needs. Course specifics are currently under development but will include five courses:

    • Integrated Pest Management
    • Soil, Water & Fertility Management
    • Crop Management & Planning
    • Crop Production Technologies
    • Crop Diagnostics

    Delivery: Online

    Dates: Course dependent

    Costs: Tuition: $799 (+ textbooks as required for each course)

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  • Certified Crop Adviser

    Crop Advisor in field

    Advance your career – become a Certified Crop Adviser.

    Take advantage of this intensive tutorial training session and prepare to write the Certified Crop Adviser Prairie Province and International exam. The instructors have a wealth of knowledge that they will share with you to help you feel better prepared to write the exam.

    Dates: January 31 - February 3, 2023

    Delivery: Olds Campus

    Costs: $599 Tuition

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  • CODESYS

    This Specialized training focuses on Programming / Coding PLC's ( Programmable Logic Controllers) that can be used in controlling Machines, a Hobby Project, or developing controls for an idea that relies on Electronic Control. The 4 Day Program uses CODESYS as a method of Instruction, and has a Variety of Hardware to try the Code on. ...more

  • Drone School for Farmers & Agronomists

    Drone Training

    Do you want to learn to fly a drone?

    Whether you’ve never flown a drone and want to learn, or are looking to refine your skills, this class is for everyone. Come join us for this fun, hands-on class and learn how to fly drones safely and legally while focusing on the benefits of using drones in agriculture. Save time and increase efficiency by learning how you can use drones to check on livestock, map fields and crops, and access hard to reach areas. At the end of the course, participants will have the opportunity to take the online certification test with Transport Canada to fly legally.

    Program Dates: April 3 - 4, 2023

    Costs:  $499 + GST

    As an optional add-on, students may purchase a drone HERE for $100 to take home with them at the end of the course.
    *Please note that students who choose to purchase a drone must be registered and attend drone school.  
    * If you'd like to view the drone specs, click HERE

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  • Pasture to Plate Direct Marketing

    Farm to Plate Direct Marketing

    Pasture to Plate - Livestock Direct Marketing is a one of a kind short course.  Participants will gain skills over a six-week time frame that will help them to better understand livestock agro-food systems, niche product marketing, and how they can apply direct marketing skills to their own operations.

    With recent regulation changes in Alberta, producers can now obtain an on-farm slaughter license thus allowing producers more flexibility when selling a live animal directly to a consumer.  This interactive short course will give you training, skills, and ideas to start direct marketing your products from your own 'Pasture to the consumers Plate'! 

    Dates: January 23 - March 3, 2023

    Delivery Method: Online

    Costs: $249

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  • Smart Agriculture Certificate - Agronomy Stream

    This certificate delves into the exciting world of technological applications of crop production. The Olds College Smart Ag certificate provides students and graduates with the base knowledge and skills necessary to be successful in the evolving ag industry. This certificate will increase competencies in global navigation satellite systems, geographic information systems, precision ag software programs precision ag equipment and autonomous systems.

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