Agriculture Technician Co-op

• Agriculture Technician instructors and students have revitalized Corner Brook campus’s atrium, turning it into a lively display of an indoor jungle. They have created a green haven under the open glassed ceiling, making use of the sunlight and warmth in the space to create a tropical island feel
• Included is a field camp at the Centre for Agriculture and Forestry Development
• Learn to balance the market demands for various farm products with several socioeconomic factors including cost of production, taxation, research funding, technical assistance, land usage, and potential environmental impacts

• Technological progress in agriculture is intrinsically linked to the rise of urban centers and commercial exchange. New technological developments have always been prevalent in this field.
• To help feed Government’s Agriculture Work Plan to enhance the sector, CNA partnered with Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture, to break ground on a new two-year Agriculture Technician (Co-op) program in 2019.
• Students of the program were interviewed by The NL Farm and Food Show, Fit to Eat NL, in October 2022. The episode was a chance to chat with students in the class about their motivations, hopes, and expectations in farming.

Upon successful completion of the program, graduates will be able to: 

1. Perform a wide variety of duties in support of agriculture using farm tools and equipment.
2. Understand agriculture research priorities and procedures to assist the industry in moving toward a reliable, sustainable, and safe supply of food products.
3. Prepare land, select seed and nutrient varieties, plant, harvest and market agriculture products.
4. Care for livestock, as required on a day-to-day basis.
5. Safely operate farm tractors, calibrate and maintain farm equipment, and attachments.

In addition to the formal courses listed in the program of studies, students in the Agriculture Technician Co-op program are required to complete or obtain valid certification in the following areas upon graduation:
 
Standard First Aid & CPR/AED
ATV Training
WHMIS/OHS
Chainsaw Safety
Pesticide Applicators Certification
Skid Steer Operation
Forklift Operation
Fall Arrest
 
NOTE: Students should be aware that additional fees apply for certifications, field trips/tours. Additional expenses will be necessary for the purchase of items of clothing required for scheduled labs and outdoor work.

This program is accredited by Co-operative Education and Work-Integrated Learning (CEWIL) Canada, ensuring adherence to national standards of excellence in co-operative education. CEWIL accreditation signifies a commitment to providing students with high-quality work-integrated learning experiences, enhancing their employability and professional readiness. Through this accreditation, students benefit from structured, meaningful work placements that integrate academic learning with practical application, fostering the development of essential skills and industry connections.

Animal-based teaching activities in this program are conducted under the College of the North Atlantic’s Preliminary Certificate of Good Animal Practice (GAP) with the Canadian Council on Animal Care (CCAC) and are overseen through the College’s Animal Care and Use Program.