WHAT IS THE PRACTICUM?
The UBC Farm Practicum in Sustainable Agriculture is a hands-on educational program, designed to provide a full growing season of experience to students with a strong interest in sustainable agriculture and food systems. Ideal candidates for the program are aspiring farmers, urban gardeners, environmental educators, and people who wish to be part of the future of farming and food systems. The practicum runs part-time from March to November.
Our program graduates share a vision of livelihoods and lifestyles grounded in sustainable and community-based food systems. The majority have maintained a practice of farming, gardening, and food grow ing – at many different scales and in diverse forms such as business-start-ups, partnerships with other seasoned farmers, and in community gardening and outreach settings.
WHERE IS IT?
The UBC Farm hosts the Practicum in Sustainable Agriculture, and provides the foundation of learning for the practicum. It is a 24-hectare teaching, research, and community farm, located at the southern end of UBC Vancouver’s campus. The UBC Farm is rooted in its surrounding ecology, is valued as a world-class sustainability resource, and is a central part of the vision that connects UBC and future global sustainability leaders.
Another integral part of the practicum is an active learning exchange with a number of seasoned growers. Field trips to regional farming operations provide our students with personal connections to practicing farmers, and guided visits to successful farmers’ markets and organic produce distributors offer a regionally grounded food system context.
WHAT WILL I LEARN?
The main approach to learning within the program is hands-on practice. Participants carry out seasonal farming activities with leadership provided by the Practicum Teaching Team and UBC Farm Staff in the greenhouses, fields, teaching gardens, orchard, and at our marketing outlets.
The curriculum for the Practicum includes:
- Soil fundamentals and soil fertility management
- Greenhouse management and horticultural skills building activities
- Harvesting and post-harvest handling techniques
- Irrigation set-up and maintenance methods
- Weed and pest identification
- Sustainable cultivation methods
- Safe operation of small tractors and implements
- Direct marketing at farmers’ markets and with C.S.A. programs
HOW DO I APPLY?
If you are interested in applying for the program, or learning more, please visit our website – and apply by October 15th 2013!
