Diploma in Business - Agriculture (Co-op and Non Co-op Version)
Perth, Canada
DURATION
2 Years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
Request application deadline
EARLIEST START DATE
Sep 2025
TUITION FEES
USD 8,176
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
Key Summary
Introduction
Grow your business skills for a career in the increasingly complex agriculture industry.
The two-year Business - Agriculture Ontario College Diploma program combines agriculture with business and management training, providing you with the skills necessary to successfully operate a farming operation or to provide services to agricultural businesses. Agriculture is an increasingly complex industry, with sophisticated agribusiness managers required to make decisions about crop/herd selection and improvement, pest and soil management, equipment maintenance, farm safety, and agricultural production. At the same time, there is a growing need for skills and knowledge to apply management concepts related to agricultural financial administration, human resources, operational efficiency, government regulations, technology, sales, and marketing.
Through this program, you examine agricultural techniques through a business lens. With a focus on developing fundamental research, financial, and operations skills to evaluate farm production methodologies, technologies, and systems in order to inform business decisions. You have opportunities to apply your knowledge and skills through activities, simulations, case studies, and interactions with professionals in active farm operations.
Students also have the option to gain real-world experience through a paid co-operative education (co-op) work term (see Additional Information for more details). Please note that places in the co-op work term are subject to availability and academic eligibility. Please note admission to the co-op program does not guarantee a co-op placement.
Ideal Students
This program is well-suited for students who:
- Are well organized and can work effectively under tight time constraints
- Are team-oriented and enjoy working with others
- Are dedicated to food safety and sustainability
- Are excited by the prospect of taking a hands-on approach to learning and interacting with industry partners and business leaders
Admissions
Curriculum
Level 01
- BUS9301 Business Computer Applications
- ENL9212 Communications I
- HOR9100 Plants, Soil and Fertilization
- LAW9100 Farm Safety and Biosecurity Regulations
- MGT9106 Introduction to Management Fundamentals
- QUA9100 Basic Business Mathematics
Level 02
- ACC9200 Accounting Concepts I
- HOR9201 Crop Production Management
- LAW9200 Legislation and Agriculture
- MGT9200 Equipment and Asset Management
- RET9302 Professional Selling
- SCI9200 Animal Health and Nutrition
Co-op 01 Course (optional)
- WKT9200 Business-agriculture Co-op Work Term
Level 03
- BUS9400 Dairy Business Operations
- ECO9300 Economic Issues
- ENV9300 Sustainable Practices in Agriculture
- HOR9301 Pest, Disease, and Weed Management
- HOR9302 Vegetable and Fruit Production Management
- MGT9310 Business Planning 1
Choose one from equivalencies
- GED1938 General Education Elective
Level 04
- ACC9400 Accounting for Agribusiness
- BUS9300 Livestock Business Operations
- ENL9400 Communications for Agribusiness
- FIT9400 Leadership in Society
- MGT9304 Project Management for Business Start-Ups
- MGT9405 Directed Project in Agriculture
- MGT9410 Business Planning 2
Program Outcome
The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to:
- Identify and discuss the impact of global issues on an organization`s business opportunities by using an environmental scan
- Apply principles of corporate sustainability, corporate social responsibility, and ethics to support an organization`s business initiatives
- Use current concepts/systems and technologies to support an organization`s business initiatives
- Apply basic research skills to support business decision-making
- Support the planning, implementation, and monitoring of projects
- Perform work in compliance with relevant statutes, regulations, and business practices
- Explain the role of the human resource function and its impact on an organization
- Use accounting and financial principles to support the operations of an organization
- Describe and apply marketing and sales concepts used to support the operations of an organization
- Outline principles of supply chain management and operations management
- Outline and assess the components of a business plan
- Develop strategies for ongoing personal and professional development to enhance work performance in the business field
- Analyze procedures, guidelines, and best practices to ensure safe operation and maintenance of agricultural equipment to maximize the lifespan and ROI of farm assets
- Evaluate agricultural methods and technologies, based on physical environmental conditions and agricultural practices to promote efficiency, profitability, and quality of production
- Identify and apply discipline-specific practices that contribute to the local and global community through social responsibility, economic commitment, and environmental stewardship
Career Opportunities
Graduates may engage in entry-level or supervisory farming occupations, become managers in their family business, or become entrepreneurs. Graduates may also find entry-level positions as agricultural equipment and supplies salespersons, agricultural customer support representatives, technical sales specialists, or agricultural financial or insurance associates.
Graduates may seek employment in entry-level farming positions or as entrepreneurs.
Graduates may also seek entry-level employment in a variety of companies and organizations that provide services in the agricultural sector, including businesses providing:
- Agricultural supplies
- Feed
- Banking, accounting, or logistical services
- Process improvement or animal care support
- Equipment and maintenance sales and services