SASKATCHEWAN
Four Saskatchewan Regional Colleges Enter Partnership For New Agriculture Program

Carlton Trail College, Cumberland College, Great Plains College and Parkland College are pleased to announce a new partnership that will allow each institution to deliver the Agricultural Science Certificate program to students within their respective regions.

In this 8-month program, students will learn the fundamental skills necessary for modern agriculture operations with a specific focus on crop production. With courses ranging from record keeping and innovative technology, to practical field skills, graduates will be prepared for a career in the agriculture industry. The program is brokered through Lakeland College and graduates may also choose to continue their education and transfer into the second year of the Crop Technology Diploma program at Lakeland College. 

"The agriculture industry is a key part of our provincial economy and local labour market," said Kim Lambe, Director of Programs at Great Plains College. We're thrilled to have established this partnership that will allow us to deliver this long-awaited agriculture programming in our region. We look forward to helping students prepare for a successful career in the high-demand agriculture industry." 

This program will be delivered in a blended delivery model, where all theory will be live-streamed to each location from an instructor located at Cumberland College's Melfort Campus. All labs will take place in-person at each regional college.

"We are looking forward to partnering and sharing this program with other regional colleges," says Chair of Post-Secondary Education at Cumberland College, Jeff Fisher. "The study of agriculture is an important part of our programming at Cumberland. Not only is this a unique offering in the Saskatchewan regional college system, but, more importantly, it is relevant and necessary to the agriculture sector in our province. It is exciting for us to facilitate the delivery and see the program expand through this partnership with three other regional colleges."

The joint program is set to begin in October 2022. Prospective students can apply online to the regional college of their choice.

"Agriculture has long been an economic driver within our east-central region," said Deanna Gaetz, Business and Skills Training Director at Carlton Trail College. "Working in partnership with other Saskatchewan Colleges is a great way to be able to offer this training, while further developing the knowledge and skills needed for working in this industry."

"Having an agriculture program at Parkland blends well with our applied Ag Research Farm in Yorkton," said Jenna Niebergall, Chair, Post-Secondary Education at Parkland College. "Our goal is to expose students to all aspects of agriculture, including applied research."

For more information about the Agricultural Science Certificate, please visit the website of the college in which you are interested in attending.