Williams Lake Campus
Regenerative Agriculture
Become a leader. Revitalize the agricultural industry with sustainable ranching through TRU.
The Regenerative Agriculture program is a 63 credit program, the first of its kind in British Columbia. This program allows you to gain practical experience on farms or ranches of your choice, learning hands on skills for the enterprises you are interested in pursuing. From beef and sheep production to pasture poultry or pork as well as greenhouse vegetable, fruit and berry enterprises — the program has host farms for you.
The core of the program is gaining a solid foundation in business and enterprise management as well as learning how to practice regenerative agriculture in a variety of ecosystems and production systems. In-class and/or online courses in business and enterprise diversification teach you to how to assess, select and develop each enterprise, in order to plan for success. Business courses include strategy, financial management, marketing and human resources while natural resource science courses include biodiversity, soil health, range ecology, grazing management, riparian management and many others. The tools you gain will allow you to build and manage a diversified and resilient farming operation or agricultural business in BC, across Canada or around the world.
What to expect
- Participate in real-life farm or ranching operations in BC
- Gain employment-ready experience
- Understand how ranch and rangeland ecosystems react to management decisions
- Understand livestock needs and how to best manage the natural environment to produce nutritious proteins to feed the world
- Learn to design farming or ranching enterprises that fit the environment and resources while providing a return on investment
- Experience a program that is built in BC to address the needs of the local ranching environment, but the skills can be applied to anywhere in the world
- Learn to develop and fine-tune enterprise management around the unique market opportunities and environment in your region
Whether you are already part of the farming and ranching community or you are a newcomer, the interdisciplinary and practical, hands-on approach of the ASUR program will help you successfully lead and enhance the future of regenerative agriculture and building resilient community food systems.
Careers
As a graduate of this program, you may discover career opportunities within areas such as:
- Agriculture entrepreneur
- Ranch or farm manager or enterprise manager
- Farm manager trainee
- Land or range manager
- Forest Service — range technician
- Development corporation manager
- Food sovereignty coordinator
- Banking — agriculture account manager
- Trainee with consulting company
- Customer service or sales manager — irrigation, seed or equipment sales
You can also use your diploma (GPA minimum requirement) to ladder into the third year of the Olds College’s Bachelor of Applied Science in Agribusiness degree. If you decide to branch out and apply your knowledge to another profession, you can also transfer credits gained into TRU’s Natural Resource Science program or the Bachelor of General Studies.
Application requirements
Admission is limited. Admission is offered on a first-applied, first-qualified (completed application and all requirements met) basis. It is important to complete your application as soon as possible to ensure the best chance of securing a seat.
Educational requirements
- High school graduation or mature student status.
- Foundations of Mathematics 11 with a minimum C (or equivalent)
- English Studies 12/English First Peoples 12 (or equivalent)
- Students are responsible for finding their own suitable work experience placement.
Additional requirements
- A good working knowledge of Microsoft Word and Excel
- Access to a reliable internet source
Completion of 33 credits will get you a certificate. The full 63 credits are required to get a diploma.
RGEN 1010A |
RGEN 1060 Food Crop Diversification RGEN 1060 Food Crop DiversificationCredits: 3 credits Students will learn through best management practices for managing additional farm enterprises (i.e. market gradients, greenhouse production, food processing and box programs. Students will learn the key financial and production benchmarks for being profitable with each of these enterprises.
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RGEN 1070 Livestock Diversification RGEN 1070 Livestock DiversificationCredits: 3 credits Students will choose three pasture-based livestock enterprises to focus on. For each of these they will develop an enterprise analysis, complete with a gross margin and return on investment calculation.
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RGEN 1040 Applied Skills, Farm Safety and Emergency Preparedness RGEN 1040 Applied Skills, Farm Safety and Emergency PreparednessCredits: 3 credits In this skills-based course, students explore a variety of techniques commonly used in ranch operations. Students apply skills related to humane animal care, stockmanship and dog training, equipment preventative maintenance, safe operating procedures, and fencing techniques. Additionally, students examine opportunities for diversification, including key success factors and production and income benchmarks for a number of alternative agriculture enterprises.
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RGEN 1050 On Farm Demonstration Research I RGEN 1050 On Farm Demonstration Research ICredits: 2 credits Students will learn how to design a on-farm demonstration research project. Students will install, collect, analyze and interpret data collected on their farm.
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RGEN 1080 Strategic Management and Leadership RGEN 1080 Strategic Management and LeadershipCredits: 3 credits Students will learn the key components of building a business strategy and a strategic plan and will develop a business level strategy and strategic plan for their organization. Students will also identify the key features of balancing farm/ranch enterprises and family life including the components of a succession plan.
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RGEN 1020 Sustainable Business Enterprise RGEN 1020 Sustainable Business EnterpriseCredits: 3 credits Within this course students develop a financial and finance plan for their agriculture and agri-tourism enterprises.
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RGEN 1090 Marketing, Communications, Conflict Resolution and Crisis Management RGEN 1090 Marketing, Communications, Conflict Resolution and Crisis ManagementCredits: 3 credits From the foundation skills learned in this course, students will build a strategic marketing plan based on market research, segmentation, target market identification, positioning, and finally implementation of the 4 Ps. Students will also learn skills in conflict resolution, and build a communications plan for their agriculture operation, with an apology statement in the event of a crisis.
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RGEN 1030 Biodiversity, Invasive Species & Watersheds & Riparian Systems RGEN 1030 Biodiversity, Invasive Species & Watersheds & Riparian SystemsCredits: 3 credits Students will become familiar with the importance of farm diversity and riparian health. Students will learn approaches to improving farm diversity, the process of developing a farm level management plans and measurements and techniques for supporting healthy riparian systems.
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RGEN 1140 |
RGEN 1130 Introduction to Soils and Soil Health RGEN 1130 Introduction to Soils and Soil HealthCredits: 3 credits This course surveys the physical, chemical and biological properties of soils. Topics include soil formation, classification, use and conservation.
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RGEN 2090 Tkumne7iple7tens re Secwepemeu’lecw (Secwepemc Laws of the Land) RGEN 2090 Tkumne7iple7tens re Secwepemeu’lecw (Secwepemc Laws of the Land)Credits: 3 credits Students will gain an understanding of the history of the Secwepemc people, the issues facing them today and how as future land managers, they can be part of the healing process on the land. Students will learn about range plants that are used by Secwepemc people and how to help preserve these areas while out on the land. The use of cultural burning will also be examined.
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RGEN 2010 Beef Nutrition and Herd Health RGEN 2010 Beef Nutrition and Herd HealthCredits: 3 credits Students develop skills related to beef cattle nutrition and how to balance the nutrition needs of the herd through the seasons, with the resources they have at hand. Students will learn through the seminar presentation, the key components of a year-round herd health and parasitology program for a beef cattle operation.
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RGEN 2060 Beef Genetics and Technology in Agriculture RGEN 2060 Beef Genetics and Technology in AgricultureCredits: 3 credits Students will develop skills related to beef cattle genetics, including sire and replacement heifer selection, heifer development and appropriate culling techniques to maximize efficiency and gross margin. They will also learn mapping tools and apply these to forage production and carrying capacity calculations over large areas. Various emerging agriculture technologies will be introduced, along with their potential value under various regenerative ranching systems.
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RGEN 2020 Sheep Production, Flock Health and Nutrition RGEN 2020 Sheep Production, Flock Health and NutritionCredits: 3 credits Students develop skills related to sheep husbandry and nutrition and learn to balance the nutrition needs of the flock/herd through the seasons, with the resources they have on hand. They will also learn the key components of a year-round flock health program for a sheep production enterprise and the best management practices for maintaining flock/herd health.
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RGEN 2030 Winter Forage Production RGEN 2030 Winter Forage ProductionCredits: 3 credits Students will learn the role of forages in sustainable food production, forage management and harvesting options and the principles of irrigation design, systems and management. The key concepts of plant physiology, plant identification, species & variety features will be examined as well as their adaptation and their roles in forage stands and production. Students will learn management approaches that include cover crops, perennial species mixtures, potential cropping rotations and other considerations relating to maintaining or improving soil health while achieving farm/ranch objectives.
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RGEN 2040 Introduction to Tourism, Marketing, and Product Development RGEN 2040 Introduction to Tourism, Marketing, and Product DevelopmentCredits: 3 credits Students explore the soft adventure and agri-tourism industry at a global and local level. Historical, geographical and cultural contexts will be examined in relation to the development of product and service opportunities.
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RGEN 2070 Regenerative Agri-Tourism Business Strategy and Applied Project RGEN 2070 Regenerative Agri-Tourism Business Strategy and Applied ProjectCredits: 3 credits Students build on the foundations established in RGEN 2040 by continuing to explore the soft adventure and agri-tourism industry at a global and local level. Historical, geographical and cultural contexts in the evolution of sustainable tourism and regenerative tourism will be examined in relation to the planning and management of tourism strategy, business operations, as well as developing an agri-tourism business marketing plan.
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RGEN 2080 Food Sovereignty RGEN 2080 Food SovereigntyCredits: 3 credits Students explore and apply the community development approach to food sovereignty and develop applied skills in vegetable and greenhouse production using regenerative agriculture principles.
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RGEN 1110 Human Resource Management and Land Resources RGEN 1110 Human Resource Management and Land ResourcesCredits: 3 credits Students will learn the governance framework of agriculture resources within BC and identify the regulatory system and land interests to which it applies. They will also be introduced to the main government programs for risk management, research, extension, and innovation.
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RGEN 2050 Comprehensive Business and Operations Plan (21,24,0) RGEN 2050 Comprehensive Business and Operations Plan (21,24,0)Credits: 3 credits Utilizing the skills they have acquired through the Regenerative Agriculture program, students will build a comprehensive business and operations plan for their ranch, farm, or tourism operation.
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Benefits of TRU’s Regenerative Agriculture program
Our unique feature is the Host Farm Program, allowing you to exchange work experience for rent instead of traditional housing payments. Certain farms even offer the chance to earn wages while offsetting housing costs.
Get connected to a host farm: gwatt@tru.ca.
Location of host farms
We have two host farms within 30 minutes of Kamloops, B.C. (population of 100,000) and two host farms within 30 minutes of Williams Lake, B.C. (population of 11,000).
TRU Student Services
International Student Advisors (ISA) are here to help. You can email your ISA at isa@tru.ca.
- All international student services and workshops by TRU World are offered virtually. TRU World’s student services have office hours to answer on-campus questions on weekdays from 10 am to 4 pm.
- All appointments are booked through email. Please book through online booking.
- Need a quick answer? Connect with TRU International Admissions and Enrolment Services, an International Student Advisor or a Registered International Student Immigration Advisor by visiting www.tru.ca/meet.
- All IRCC workshops will be conducted virtually. If you need to apply for a study permit extension or a post-graduation work permit, please contact risia@tru.ca.
- If you need a letter for your study permit extension or post-graduation work permit application, please request the letter online.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What are the intakes?
There are three intake periods – September, January and May.
Do I need reliable transportation?
Yes, you need a vehicle and a valid driver’s license while living on a host farm.
How frequent are field trips?
In September, October, May, June and July you need to attend field trips once a week. The location of these field trips changes every week but will be within three and a half hours of your host farm.
How often are seminars and field trips?
Seminars and field trips are held one day a week and the rest of the week you work on your host farm and complete assignments.
When are assignments due?
Assignments are due on Sunday evenings at midnight.
Where can I find international student costs?
Find international student costs here and click on undergraduate program and EAP tuition fees.
I want to learn more about the application process.
See more information about our international student application process here.
I want to learn more about the program.
Learn more about the program. Watch our video here.
Career paths
Graduates have found jobs as:
- NOC 8431 – General farm workers
- NOC 8252 – Agricultural service contractors, farm supervisors and specialized livestock workers
- NOC 0821 – Managers in Agriculture
- NOC 21112 – Ag Representatives, Consultants and Specialists
Inquiries and Advising
Phone: 250-392-8000
Email: williamslake@tru.ca
Admissions
Phone: 250-392-8020
Email: wladmissions@tru.ca
