Agriculture
Agriculture
Horticulture professionals may grow crops, tend gardens, or maintain parks and green spaces. All in all, they play a vital role in ensuring the livability, beauty, and sustainability of our communities.
If you'd like to launch a career in the thriving horticulture industry, UFV's Horticulture Crop Production and Protection certificate can give you a solid foundation. You get hands-on training in plant identification, greenhouse operations, integrated pest diagnosis and treatment, fruit and vegetable crop production, and soil analysis.
The program emphasizes management practices compatible with sustainability, food security, and environmentally responsible agricultural production techniques.
You get to study in the state-of-the-art Agriculture Centre's greenhouse complex featuring a research greenhouse with fully programmable pressurization controls and two heated polyethylene greenhouses, one of which is equipped for virus free nursery stock production.
A practicum in your second semester gives you the opportunity to apply what you learn in a supervised setting and prepares you to enter the workforce.
Once you have completed the one-year UFV Horticulture Crop Production and Protection certificate, you can opt to continue your studies to earn a two-year Agriculture Technology diploma, Horticulture Crop Production and Protection option, or a four-year Bachelor in Agricultural Science from UFV.
In spite of increased urbanization in the Fraser Valley, agricultural production has continued to increase both in terms of land under cultivation and agriculture taking place in greenhouses. The Fraser Valley Regional District reports that the City of Abbotsford has the largest area under glass in the region and Chilliwack the second highest. And demand is growing for BC’s agri-food products, both in local and foreign markets.
As a result, work opportunities in horticulture are abundant and include work in greenhouses, nurseries, farms, garden centres, golf courses, and landscaping companies. You could also consider a career in grounds maintenance or as a technician with various levels of government. Other options might include a career in the agribusiness sector in marketing, sales, and service. Some graduates return to family-owned enterprises or start their own businesses.
Many jobs in this field allow you to spend time outdoors and stay physically active. Career development opportunities are excellent, especially for those who pursue further education at UFV or elsewhere.