Programs & Courses

Agroecology Technician

DIPLOMA

About the Program

MHC is not currently accepting applications to this program

MHC's new agroecology program provides you with the competencies required for producing food, forage, fiber, and fuel using sustainable methods. Courses within the program will prepare you with a range of knowledge in the three E’s:

  • environment,
  • economics, and
  • energy using systems theory.

Cultivating food for future generations, this program provides you the scientific knowledge to optimize interactions between plants, animals, humans and the environment to grow food with minimal impact to our world.

Whether you are a small-scale farmer, urban grower or entrepreneur, the agroecology diploma gives you exposure to a variety of topics preparing you to diversify your current operations or start a venture. Expand your knowledge in areas, such as:

  • Holistic (Grazing) Management: A value-based decision-making framework that integrates all aspects of planning for social, economic, and environmental considerations.
  • Mycoculture: Mushroom cultivation for food production, medicine, or other ecological applications.
  • Permaculture: Principals which allow us to create a culture that can sustain and prosper for generations to come. It considers care for the planet, care for people and fair share.
  • Rangelands: Ecosystems comprised of grasslands, shrublands, woodlands, wetlands, and deserts that are typically grazed by domestic livestock or wild animals.
  • Vermiculture: The process of using worms to decompose organic food waste, turning the waste into a nutrient-rich material.
  • Eco-system: A geographic area where plants, animals, and other organisms, as well as weather and landscape, work together to form a bubble of life.
  • Systems thinking: A process of understanding how elements like air, water, energy, plants and animals influence one another to thrive.

High school route

  • ELA 30-1
  • Biology 30
  • Chem 30
  • Math 30-1 or Math 30-2 (min 65%)

Mature Student Route

  • ELA 30-1
  • Biology 30
  • Chem 30
  • Math 30-1 or Math 30-2 (min 65%)

Graduation Requirements

To successfully complete this program students must:

  • Complete all 20 courses with a minimum overall GPA of 2.0.
  • Achieve no grade lower than C-

FIRST YEAR

Fall Semester

AGEC 120 Agroecology I
BIOL 254 Plant Taxonomy
BIOL 255 Ecology
CADD 172 Sustainability and Systems Thinking
SOSC 213 Soil Resources

Winter Semester
AGEC 130 Introduction to Geographic Information Science
AGEC 140 Integrated Vegetation Management
ECON 201 Microeconomics
EREC 230 Water Fundamentals
TCOM 110 Technical Communications

SECOND YEAR

Fall Semester
AGEC 200 Research Methods
AGEC 210 Range and Holistic Management
AGEC 220 Advanced GIS and Remote Sensing for Landscape Ecology
AGEC 230 Forage and Cropping Systems
AGEC 240 Climate and Ecosystems
Winter Semester
AGEC 250 Soil Ecology
AGEC 260 Horticulture Methods
AGEC 270 Wetland Ecology and Management
AGEC 280 Agroecology II
MGMT 161 Business Management Theory

Additional Prerequisites for Program Graduation
Students must also complete a Permaculture Design Course (PDC) and Rainwater Harvesting course prior to taking AGEC 280 (Agroecology II: Capstone). Both courses will be offered through Medicine Hat College Continuing Studies. However, students have a range of options to complete both courses: PDC are offered for free online, and Rainwater Harvesting courses are also available online. In order to complete the prerequisites, students must complete a 72 hour PDC from instructors recognized by the Permaculture Institute of North America. Students must also complete a rainwater harvesting course (Designer Certification) recognized by the Canadian Association for Rainwater Management (CANARM).


VIEW COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

Areas of Employment
Job Title Examples
  • Advocacy & Policy
  • Agritourism
  • Education and Outreach
  • Farming or Food Production
  • Farmland Preservation
  • Food Science
  • Horticulture
  • Research
  • Agricultural Entrepreneur
  • Biodiversity Specialist
  • Education/Program Coordinator
  • Extension & Outreach Specialist
  • Farm/Agricultural Manager
  • Grant Writing Specialist
  • Greenhouse Manager
  • Land Remediation Specialist
  • Research Technician
  • Sustainability Coordinator
  • Urban Agriculture and Land Designer

What is your education going to cost?

Our TUITION and FEES page provides a total cost estimate for your program including books and supplies and related expenses.

Looking for ways to help fund your education?

There are lots of options like student loans, scholarships, bursaries and emergency funding available.
Check out our FINANCIAL AID page for more information.

Many programs offered at Medicine Hat College qualify for transfer credits to other institutions. In some cases, you must transfer to another institution to complete your program and gain your credential.

The ACADEMIC CALENDAR has official information on transfer options for each program.
Please consult the calendar or meet with an academic advisor for more information.

At MHC, we care about students and want to help you succeed.

As a student, there may be times when you require support. Our SERVICES page provides you with links to a number of campus supports including academic success, counselling and care, health and wellness, and many other resources.

Have you always wanted to study abroad?

Enhance your education, share in cultural diversity and embrace new experiences. Visit the INTERNATIONAL MOBILITY PROGRAM section to find out more.

Students must also complete a Permaculture Design Course (PDC) and Rainwater Harvesting course prior to taking AGEC 280 (Agroecology II: Capstone). Both courses will be offered through Medicine Hats College Continuing Studies. However, students have a range of options to complete both courses: PDC are offered for free online, and Rainwater Harvesting courses are also available online. In order to complete the prerequisites, students must complete a 72 hour PDC from instructors recognized by the Permaculture Institute of North America. Students must also complete a rainwater harvesting course (Designer Certification) recognized by the Canadian Association for Rainwater Management (CANARM).

Create your own career

Entrepreneurship is an exciting opportunity for graduates of this program. As a student at MHC, you have access to free coaching, mentorship by industry professionals, learning modules and more through the Entrepreneur Development Centre.

 LEARN MORE ABOUT THE EDC