Farm Practicum in Sustainable Agriculture at UBC

The UBC Farm Practicum can be taken as either a seven-month (April – October), or as a five-month (April – August), experiential-learning program.  The program is part-time (approximately 20 hours per week), and is designed for aspiring farmers, urban gardeners, environmental educators, and students with an interest in applying their learning about sustainable agriculture and food systems. The program is often taken as a non-credit Certificate program; however, 6-9 academic credits are available for interested students.

Participants gain a deeper understanding of agricultural management and small-scale farming, and a network of incredible people to support them along the way.  The main approach to learning within the program is hands-on practice.  Participants carry out seasonal farming activities with leadership provided by UBC Farm staff in the greenhouses, gardens, fields, orchards, and at our farmers’ markets. In addition, the program includes numerous guest speakers, field trips to various farming operations within the province, and access to a plot at the UBC Farm for individual and shared production.

The Practicum is a hands-on educational program designed to provide a full growing season of food production experience to anyone with a strong interest in sustainable agriculture and food systems. The UBC Farm Practicum in Sustainable Agriculture curriculum is organized as a part-time, five to seventh-month program balanced through the season with approximately 70% seasonal field production and direct marketing activities and 30% classroom, farm field trips, faculty and guest speakers, group discussions and student presentations.

The UBC Farm is a 24-hectare gem, the largest urban farm in Vancouver, British Columbia, and situated on a site with numerous research, educational, and community outreach activities. 

Please see the UBC Farm Practicum website for detailed information and access to the online application:

http://ubcfarm.ubc.ca/community/practicum-in-sustainable-agriculture

All applications received by September 24th will be considered for Early Admission.  All applications for the Regular Deadline pool are due by October 27th.  Please note: To enroll in the Practicum program, you do NOT have to be a UBC student or post-secondary student.