Regenerative Agriculture Diploma

Program Overview

Thompson Rivers University's Regenerative Agriculture Diploma is a 21-course program that prepares students to develop resilient agricultural enterprises in harmony with nature. The program emphasizes nutrient-dense food production, soil health, carbon sequestration, and reduced reliance on fossil fuels. Through block-based flexible learning, students gain practical experience, develop business management skills, and have the opportunity to showcase their plans at the "Bull's Den" presentation.

Program Outline

It focuses on developing resilient regenerative agriculture enterprises that work in harmony with nature. The program emphasizes producing nutrient-dense foods while building soil health, sequestering carbon, and reducing reliance on fossil fuels and costly inputs.

Objectives:

• Develop skills in producing nutrient-dense foods.
• Build soil organic matter and water holding capacity.
• Sequester carbon from the atmosphere.
• Reduce fossil fuels and costly inputs.
• Gain practical experience through host farm practicum or self-directed learning plan.
• Develop a strong foundation in business management.
• Apply regenerative agriculture and resource management concepts to various landscapes.
• Learn management skills specific to pasture-raised beef and sheep production, winter forage production, agri-tourism, and food sovereignty.

Assessment:

• Students complete assignments for each course.
• Assignments are used as building blocks for their final business and operations plan.
• Students present their business plans at the ‘Bull’s Den’, where they receive feedback from subject experts.
• The ‘Bull’s Den’ presentation is the culmination of the second year and a highlight of the learning experience.

Teaching:

• Block Based Flexible Learning: Each course is three weeks long with one seminar or field trip per week, usually on a Monday or Tuesday.
• Winter seminars are delivered through video conference.
• Summer months involve field trips to farms within the region and learning from successful agriculture entrepreneurs or subject experts.
• Students work on their host farms and complete readings and assignments on their own schedule, submitting them by Sunday.

Careers:

• Farm and ranch operations and management
• Agriculture banking and insurance sectors
• Marketing, sales, and management in the agri-business sector
• Range and land use management
• Economic development, agriculture, and land management within communities
• Agriculture entrepreneur
• Agriculture business consulting

Other:

• The program is open to international applicants.
• Students are responsible for finding their own suitable work experience placement.
• The program has intake dates in September, January, and May.