New program at Assiniboine to bridge conventional and digital agriculture

Assiniboine Community College’s Russ Edwards School of Agriculture & Environment is launching a new two-year advanced diploma program, Digital Agriculture Technology, designed to integrate conventional agricultural practices with emerging digital technologies.

The program starts in September 2024 and includes a work integrated learning placement between the first and second year.

"We recognize the critical role technology plays in modern agriculture. Introducing new, responsive programs like this one fit well with this direction of the Edwards School. We have long been focused on ensuring we’re keeping up with the digital curve in the sector, and this program is a great example of how we remain responsive to industry needs in a way that will set graduates up for success,” said Tim Hore, Dean of the Edwards School.

Students will gain experience and knowledge in technology-driven modern agricultural practices, and will delve into the realm of precision agriculture, learning how digital integration can augment all aspects of the agriculture industry. Hands-on learning will allow students to apply their knowledge in real-world scenarios throughout the program.

“This program will provide graduates with a comprehensive understanding of agronomy, crop production systems, livestock, and digital agricultural integrations and opportunities. What sets this program apart is the innovative approach that ties these traditional production principles to the age of digital data in the ag sector,” said Chris Budiwski, Academic Chair in the Edwards School.

“This program is about equipping students with practical skills that will be invaluable in the rapidly evolving field of agriculture. As we work toward bringing our Prairie Innovation Centre project to life, our vision for the future of agriculture training and education remains clear,” added Hore. “We know that there is a labour shortage in Manitoba’s agriculture sector, with one in three jobs projected to go unfilled by 2029. Programs like this help meet these increasing demands in a way that meets the sector where it’s at.”

Industry alignment is key to programs in The Edwards School. By learning about precision agriculture applications, data sets, and historical information, Digital Agriculture Technology graduates will be able to interpret and convey information to industry representatives or producers, with interactive mapping, dashboards, and other visual displays supporting students to use data to make informed decisions and optimize agricultural processes.

Those interested in more information about this, and other agriculture-related programs can visit assiniboine.net/digitalag.