AGRICULTURE/
ORNAMENTAL HORTICULTURE
Most of the seats in these courses are normally reserved for students in an agriculture program. Other students may take these courses if they meet the prerequisites and there is space.
AGRI 102:
Ecology of Agricultural Production Systems 2 credits
Prerequisites: none
An introduction to the ecology of agricultural systems. This course is designed to implement a working knowledge of life cycles important in crop protection. Interactions among commodities and beneficial and harmful organisms, as affected by the environment and agricultural management practices. Some field trips outside of regular class hours may be required.
AGRI 103:
Introduction to Milking and the Dairy Farm 5 credits
Corequisite or prerequisite: AGRI 134, AGRI 183, AGRI 231
Corequisite: AGRI 104 and admission to the Milker Training program
Introduction to typical dairy farms; use and basic maintenance of milking equipment; practical herd health concerns and reproduction in the dairy cow; care of calves; basic physiology of the dairy cow, principles of nutrition and sanitation. Regulations affecting the dairy industry will be reviewed. Field trips at student expense will be required.
AGRI 104:
Practical Milking Work Experience 4 credits
Corequisite or prerequisite: AGRI 134, AGRI 183, AGRI 231
Corequisite: AGRI 103 and admission to the Milker Training program
All students will participate in the care of dairy livestock in the UCFV barn. Each student will be assigned work experience, without remuneration, on commercial host farms throughout the 12 weeks to develop their skills and efficiency. Students must provide their own appropriate work clothing and must have a valid driver’s licence and reliable transportation. Work hours will include both early morning and late afternoon milkings. Host farmers will participate in the evaluation of each student.
AGRI 105:
Food, Society and the Environment: An Intro to Agrisystems 4 credits
Prerequisites: none
An examination of agricultural resources around the world, and the distribution of agricultural commodity production, and an introduction to crops and livestock. Production methods emphasizing sustainable agricultural production methods of Canadian crop and livestock species will be introduced. This course may include field trips and case studies. It will be team-taught.
AGRI 111:
Introduction to Soils 3 credits
Prerequisites: none
An introduction to soil as a medium for plant growth. Focuses on soil properties, including texture, structure, bulk density, water relationships, and soil formation. The soils of British Columbia are featured. The CLI system of soil capability for agriculture classification will be introduced.
AGRI 112:
Soil Fertility and Fertilizers 2 credits
Prerequisite: AGRI 111 or instructor’s permission.
An introduction to soil fertility and fertilizers, including: soil reaction; essential elements; mineral nutrition of higher plants; soil organic matter; lime; soil sampling and interpretation of soil test results; soil fertilizer materials, their manufacture, storage and methods of application; and economics of fertilizer use.
AGRI 114:
Soils for Horticulture 2 credits
Prerequisites: none
This course covers soil components, physical and chemical soil properties that affect plant growth, basic mineral nutrition of plants, soil amendments, fertilizers (including formulation, rates and application methods), and soil-less media.
AGRI 124:
Introduction to Horticulture 2 credits
Prerequisites: none
This course introduces binomial nomenclature; the environmental factors affecting plant growth: physical, biological, and chemical control of plant growth, and an introduction to the major horticultural crop groups: fruits, vegetables, greenhouse crops, nursery crops, and turf.
AGRI 125:
Horticulture Laboratory 1 credit
Prerequisite or corequisite: AGRI 224
Practical horticulture work complements the lecture material in AGRI 224. Work in the UCFV greenhouses during class and outside of class is required. Steel-toed work boots, pruners and a good pocketknife are required.
AGRI 126:
Agricultural Pests and Pesticide Licensing 2 credits
Prerequisites: none
Corequisite: AGRI 127
This course provides an introduction to diseases, insects, and weeds common in B.C. The identification and life cycles of these pests will be studied, as will symptoms, host-interactions and control measures. An introduction to beneficial organisms will be included. The safe use of agricultural pesticides will be covered and students will have the opportunity to gain their pesticide applicator’s and/or dispenser’s licence. A separate examination fee is required to write the B.C. Ministry of Environment exams.
AGRI 127:
Agricultural Pest Lab 1 credit
Prerequisites: none
Corequisite: AGRI 126
This course provides a practical introduction to diseases, insects, and weeds common in B.C. The identification and life cycles of these pests will be studied, as well as symptoms, host-interactions, and control measures. An introduction to beneficial organisms will be included. Each student may be required to prepare a disease, insect and weed sample collection for this course.
AGRI 134:
Ruminant Animal Health 2 credits
Prerequisites: none
Diseases of ruminant livestock: principles and treatment. Topics include reproduction, obstetrics, respiratory ailments, nutritional and infectious disease, and health management of dairy and beef cattle and other ruminants, as time permits.
AGRI 138:
Swine Production 3 credits
Prerequisites: none
This course covers feeding, breeding, and management for commercial and purebred swine operations. Topics include production, marketing, facilities, equipment, swine herd health and genetics. Students will be required to participate in the care of departmental livestock outside of regular class hours. Field trips are required. This course is only offered in even-numbered years.
AGRI 142:
Agribusiness Principles 3 credits
Prerequisites: none
The farm manager as a decision-maker. Topics include farm office, farm record-keeping and accounting, enterprise management, financial statements, cost accounting, break-even calculations, budgets, projections, production records, financial applications and leverage.
AGRI 144:
The Business of Horticulture 2 credits
Prerequisites: none
This course includes an overview of the horticulture industry, review of basic mathematics and business principles, and business planning for horticulture.
AGRI 146:
World Food Policy 3 credits
Prerequisites: none
Practical study of world agricultural policies and their effect on food production. Topics include farm legislation, trade negotiations, and consumers’ changing tastes. Discussion and guest speakers will be included.
AGRI 150:
Computers in the Workplace 3 credits
Prerequisites: Full-time admission to Ornamental Horticulture, Livestock Production or IPM certificate programs or consent of instructor.
An introduction to personal computers and data processing. Students will learn how to use the Internet for topic searches, as well as word processing, spreadsheet and database management applications. Some assignments will have horticultural, integrated pest management, or livestock content.
AGRI 151:
Introduction to Computers 3 credits
Prerequisites: Admission to Agriculture diploma program
An introduction to personal computers and data processing. Students will learn how to use the Internet for topic searches, as well as word processing, spreadsheet and database management applications. Assignments will have some agricultural content and are geared toward Agribusiness Principles (AGRI 142), and the Second-year Enterprise Project (AGRI 242). These topics will be advanced in AGRI 251.
AGRI 164:
Alternatives and Issues in Agriculture 2 credits
Prerequisites: none
A broad range of topics will be covered to provide a holistic and multi-disciplinary discussion of emerging alternative practices for commercial agricultural production.
AGRI 183:
Farm and Equipment Safety 1 credit
Prerequisites: none
Covers the safe operation of farm machinery and power equipment, an introduction to WHMIS in the workplace, and safety and fire prevention on the farm and in the workplace. Completion of Level I First Aid certificate is recommended.
AGRI 192:
Practicum I 3 credits
Prerequisites: Full-time status in one of the certificate or diploma agriculture programs, and consent of the Agriculture director.
A three-week, on-the-job training course in agriculture. You will work, free-of-charge, for a selected host, in return for which you will gain valuable work experience and acquire new skills. Only full-time students who have successfully completed their current semester’s courses and have an overall GPA of 2.0 are eligible to participate. Students’ grades for this course will be based on hosts’ evaluations.
AGRI 194:
Practical Horticulture 3 credits
Prerequisites: Full-time enrolment in Ornamental Horticulture certificate program or instructor’s permission
Students will become familiar with the horticultural aspects of grounds maintenance and greenhouse management, which may include some landscape construction techniques, pruning, fertilizing, planting/transplanting of landscape plant materials. Review of tools and equipment used in landscape maintenance work will be covered. Off-campus field trips are required, and students will be expected to work outdoors in inclement weather. All students must have their own steel-toed safety boots, rain gear, and work gloves. Work in the UCFV greenhouses will be required.
AGRI 200:
Introduction to Integrated Pest Management (IPM) 2 credits
Prerequisites: none
IPM will be covered as a concept used in agricultural systems. Emphasis is placed on the use of biological enemies, cultural and other management tools in closed production systems and in field fruit crop production. Methods of monitoring, data collection, and processing will be covered, as will the fundamentals of statistics and research as used in IPM. Students will be required to work in the UCFV greenhouses outside of class. Field trips are required.
AGRI 205:
IPM Techniques and Equipment 2 credits
Prerequisites: none
Important pests in vegetable, turf and nursery crop industries will be studied, which will lead to an understanding of plant pathology and entomology as they affect these commodities. Emphasis will be placed on diagnosing, identification and recommendations for pest management. Guest lecturers will provide some specialized industry and research content. Field trips are mandatory. Work in the UCFV greenhouses will be required outside of class.
AGRI 210:
Directed Studies in Agriculture 2 credits
Prerequisite: A minimum overall GPA of 2.50, second-year standing in the diploma program and instructor’s permission.
Under the guidance of one of the agriculture faculty members, students may pursue a research project in agriculture. Regular reports will be required as the project develops, and a final written report must be presented to the supervising faculty member.
AGRI 211:
Soil Management and Conservation 3 credits
Prerequisite: AGRI 112, or instructor’s permission
Managing soil as a virtually non-renewable resource. Topics will include practical soil management for farmers, the main processes of soil degradation — their causes and effects, soil conservation on the farm, tillage, interpretation of soil maps, and introduction to agricultural and engineering classification of soil for land use planning. Field trips will be required.
AGRI 220:
Plants in the Landscape 2 credits
Prerequisite: AGRI 124.
Corequisite: AGRI 227 or instructor’s permission
Identification, use, and maintenance of herbaceous and woody plants in the landscape. Site selection and individual plant growing requirements will be emphasized. Students must have their own transportation. Field trips are a course requirement, and students should budget approximately $50 to cover travel costs throughout the semester.
AGRI 222:
Vegetable Crop Production 3 credits
Prerequisite or corequisite: AGRI 124 or instructor’s permission
Field production of commonly grown vegetable crops in British Columbia will be discussed. Topics will include site selection as influenced by environmental and economic conditions, field preparation, variety selection, and cultivation practices. The culture of mushrooms and ginseng are covered as an essential part of the course. Field trips may be required outside of regular class hours, including Saturdays. This course is only offered in even-numbered years.
AGRI 223:
Fruit Crop Production 3 credits
Prerequisite or corequisite: AGRI 124 or instructor’s permission
Field production of commonly grown fruit crops in British Columbia will be discussed. Topics will include site selection as influenced by environmental and economic conditions, field preparation, variety selection and cultivation practices. If time permits, the culture of some tropical fruit crops may be discussed. Field trips may be required outside regular hours, including Saturdays. This course is only offered in odd-numbered years.
AGRI 224:
Greenhouse Production 2 credits
Prerequisite or corequisite: AGRI 124 and AGRI 125 or instructor’s permission
This course will cover the basic structures, facilities and machines used, and review the production of the major florist and vegetable crops grown in the British Columbia greenhouse industry. Students are required to work in the UCFV greenhouse outside of regular class hours. Field trips may be required outside regular class hours, including early mornings and Saturdays. Bus fare of approximately $10 may be required.
AGRI 225:
Horticulture Laboratory II 1 credit
Prerequisite or corequisite: AGRI 227
Practical horticulture work complements the lecture material in AGRI 227. Work in the UCFV greenhouses is required outside of regular class times. Steel-toed work boots, pruners and a good pocket knife are required.
AGRI 226:
Turfgrass Production 2 credits
Corequisite or prerequisite: AGRI 124 or instructor’s permission
Basics of production and maintenance of ornamental turfgrass is covered. Topics include soils, fertilizers, irrigation and drainage, seed and sod, seed bed preparation, mowing and mowing equipment, and a quick review of weeds, diseases, and insects, along with integrated pest management options for control. Final sessions will discuss the management of specialized turf areas, for example, golf courses. Practical, hands-on work in turf care will be included, weather permitting. Field trips may be required outside regular class time, including Saturdays.
AGRI 227:
Nursery Production and Propagation Practices 3 credits
Prerequisite or corequisite: AGRI 124, 220, and 225
The production of commonly grown nursery crops in British Columbia will be covered. Topics include propagation, site selection and preparation, and basic nursery management. Work in the UCFV greenhouse and grounds is required outside of regular class hours.
AGRI 228:
Forage Crop Production 2 credits
Prerequisites: none
Production and use of commonly grown forage crops will be covered. Topics include forage establishment, maintenance, harvest, and storage. Emphasis will be on maximizing the use of homegrown forages to meet the nutritional requirements of today’s high-producing animals.
AGRI 231:
Dairy Production and Management 2 credits
Corequisite: AGRI 134 or instructor’s permission
The feeding, breeding, and nutrition of dairy animals; milk production, processing and marketing; and dairy farm facilities and management. Emphasis will be placed on dairy herd improvement through sound management and applied genetics. Students will be required to participate in the care of departmental livestock outside of regular class hours.
AGRI 232:
Beef Production 3 credits
Prerequisites: none
Feeding, breeding and management of the beef animal. Topics include production, genetics and health, as well as marketing, facilities and equipment. Students will be required to participate in the care of departmental livestock outside of regular class hours. Field trips required. This course is only offered in odd-numbered years.
AGRI 236:
Production of Sheep, Poultry and Other Livestock Species 3 credits
Prerequisites: none
Feeding, health, breeding and management of sheep, poultry and, as time permits, other livestock species. Examples may include: rabbits, goats, fallow deer, and exotics. Topics for each species will include production, marketing, facilities, and equipment. Students will be required to participate in the care of departmental livestock outside regular class times. Field trips are mandatory. This course is only offered in odd-numbered years.
AGRI 238:
Equine Production and Management 3 credits
Prerequisites: none
This course covers feeding, breeding, and management for horse owners. Topics include equine medical disorders, lameness, nutrition, facilities, reproduction management of both the mare and stallion, and equipment. Discussion of the different equine sectors and field trips will be included. This course is only offered in even-numbered years.
AGRI 242:
Enterprise Project: Part I 1.5 credits
Prerequisites: AGRI 142, AGRI 151
Corequisite: CMNS 225, Business Communications II, Part I
Development of an independent agricultural project which includes financing, budgeting, and operation for the first year of the enterprise. Students, in consultation with faculty, will begin preparation of the first year of a financial and operational analysis. A grade of credit/no credit will be given for Part I, and any student receiving a grade of no credit for Part I is not eligible to continue.
AGRI 242:
Enterprise Project: Part II 1.5 credits
Prerequisites: AGRI 242, Part I with a grade of “Credit”
Corequisites: AGRI 251, CMNS
225, Business Communications II,
Part II
Students will complete their written Enterprise project and prepare it for presentation to a select committee of faculty and industry experts.
AGRI 251:
Agri-data Systems 2 credits
Prerequisite: AGRI 151
Corequisites: AGRI 242 Part II, and CMNS 225 Part II
This course covers the computer as a decision-making tool in agricultural business. Topics will follow closely the progression of AGRI 242 (Parts I and II). This course will include advanced uses of word processing programs for report layout, advanced uses of spreadsheet programs for accounting purposes, advanced searches on the Internet for the individual enterprise layout and the use of presentation programs to put together the final presentation for AGRI 242 and CMNS 225. The course supports the individual enterprise project as outlined in AGRI 242.
AGRI 262:
Introduction to Agri-Economics 2 credits
Prerequisites: none
An introduction to agricultural economics for students without previous background in the subject. Basic economic principles as they relate to agriculture are covered. Farm management problems are explored in class to develop the student’s ability to apply economic reasoning in their decision-making. Broader economic issues are also considered including the problems of recession, inflation, and government debt. Agricultural policies and problems are discussed throughout the course as practical applications of key economic concepts.
AGRI 292:
Practicum II 3 credits
Prerequisites: Full-time status in one of the agriculture diploma programs and consent of the Agriculture director
A second three-week on-the-job training course in agriculture. You will work, free-of-charge for a selected host, in return for which you will gain valuable work experience and acquire new skills. Only full-time students who have successfully completed their current semester’s courses and have an overall GPA of 2.0 are eligible to participate. Students’ grades will be based on hosts’ evaluation.
AGRI 294:
Basic Landscape Design 3 credits
Prerequisite: Full-time enrolment in Ornamental Horticulture certificate program
Corequisite: AGRI 220 or instructor’s permission
An introduction to residential landscape plan development, including practical application of plants commonly used in residential landscaping and investigation of various hard landscape applications as they apply to residential landscaping. Course materials will cost about $135.
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