Market Gardener
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Statement of completion |
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Domestic applicants only |
With the Market Gardener program, you will develop a skillset for organic market garden
agriculture. Learn about greenhouse propagation, soil and plant science, crop planning
and budgeting, weed and pest control, irrigation technology, as well as business management
and marketing.
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Overview
Market Gardener is a 5-month program taught in Port Alberni. You’ll learn concepts of organic market garden agriculture, as well as develop business management and marketing skills. Gain knowledge of greenhouse propagation, soil and plant science, crop planning, weed and pest control and irrigation technology.
By selling your produce at local farmer’s markets, restaurants and grocery stores you’ll have the opportunity to apply practical sales and marketing skills.
Classes will generally run Monday to Friday, from 9 am to 4 pm each day. Depending on instructor availability for special sections, some classes may run until 5 pm during weekdays. An occasional Saturday class may also be scheduled.
Requirements and courses
Course requirements
- SSF-010 Introduction to Market Gardening
- SSF-011 Greenhouse Operations
- SSF-012 Market Garden Operation
- SSF-013 Business Plan Preparation
- TFS-010 FoodSafe Level I *
- WSF-019 Orientation to WHMIS Online *
- MVO-071 Transport of Dangerous Goods - Online *
- OFA-010 Occupational First Aid Level 1 *
* Note: TFS-010, WSF-019, MVO-071, and OFA-010 must be completed by program completion.
Completion requirements
Students must successfully complete each core course and all mandatory safety training courses required within the program.
Admission requirements
Prospective students should be able to lift up to 20 kilograms. General physical fitness and the ability to use hand tools for extended periods of time — such as garden hoes, weeding tools and shovels — are also requirements.
Supplies
Please come to the first day of class with comfortable clothes and shoes and be prepared to work outside.
Careers
With the cost of produce from California continually increasing and a growing awareness of the environmental costs associated with trucking and transportation, there is a huge opportunity for market gardening to expand in Alberni and beyond. This expansion will require trained gardeners to work on the farms and to own and operate market gardens.
Costs
| Tuition | $7,250 |
| Books | $180 |
| Total | $7,430 |
Additional fees may also include necessary equipment, supplies, NIC appointed uniforms or field trips not included in these estimates.
While we do our best to share accurate and timely fee information, changes may occur.