Overview
The Prairie Horticulture program is the first distance horticulture program designed specifically for the prairie provinces. This program provides skills and training for owners, managers or employees of horticulture businesses, as well as anyone with an interest in horticulture.
Choose one of four streams of study: fruit and vegetable production, greenhouse crop production, landscaping and arboriculture, or nursery crop production.
Courses are available to be taken individually for personal interest or professional upgrading.
Admissions
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A complete Manitoba Grade 12 or equivalent
English is the language of instruction at Assiniboine. All applicants educated outside of Canada or in a country not on the test exempt list are expected to meet the English language proficiency requirement. See assiniboine.net/elp for more information.
If you don’t meet these admission requirements please visit our adult learning page for more information on assessment of special circumstances.
NEXT STEP
Apply online by visiting the Apply to a Program page. Choose On-Campus and Distance Education programs for domestic students. Create an account and select Prairie Horticulture and preferred start date in your program choice.
Once you apply to the program or enrol in a course at Assiniboine Community College, you can take classes from all consortium members.
Careers & Connections
Careers
The program provides skills and training for owners, managers or employees of horticulture businesses, as well as anyone with an interest in horticulture. Careers in the field of horticulture focus on nursery crop production, landscaping, arboriculture, greenhouse crop production, fruit production and vegetable production.
Connections
Assiniboine Community College has partnered with western Canadian educational institutions, the University of Saskatchewan and Olds College, to develop and deliver the Prairie Horticulture program.
Courses in the program can also be used for certifications with:
Tools & Supplies
Textbook costs vary from course to course, averaging approximately $500 for the program.
At-Home Computing
For this program, you are expected to have access to a computer at home. It should have a webcam, microphone and internet access to enable remote learning for the theory portions of your programs.
Courses & Costs
To receive a Prairie Horticulture certificate, students must successfully complete the required number of core courses, together with the courses specified for a particular stream and maintain an overall weighted average of 60%. Students must complete a minimum of nine courses equal to 360 hours (36 credit weights) to meet the graduation requirements.
Course vary in cost from $499 - $660 and are offered over three terms per year, excluding June, July and August as this is typically the busy season for horticultural professionals and enthusiasts. Courses are available to be taken individually for personal interest or professional upgrading.
Once you apply to the program or enroll in a course at Assiniboine Community College, you can take classes from all consortium members.
Choose a stream of study
Fruit & Vegetable Production
Required Courses:
and at least three of:
- Integrated Plant Management (Olds)
- Safework/Pesticide Application (ACC)
- Basics of Horticulture Marketing (Olds)
- Basics of Horticulture Business Management (Olds)
and at least two of:
PLUS an Open Elective course (if necessary) to meet the minimum requirements.
Landscape & Arboriculture
Required Courses
- Applied Botany (U of S)
- Soils for Horticulture (U of S)
- Woody Landscape Plants (U of S)
- Arboriculture (Olds)
and at least three of
- Integrated Plant Management (Olds)
- Safework/Pesticide Application (ACC)
- Basics of Horticulture Marketing (Olds)
- Basics of Horticulture Business Management (Olds)
and at least two of
- Landscape Design (Olds)
- Landscape Construction (Olds)
- Indoor Landscaping (U of S)
- Turfgrass Production and Management (ACC)
- Herbaceous Landscape Plants (Olds)
PLUS an Open Elective course (if necessary) to meet the minimum requirements.
Greenhouse Crop Production
Required Courses:
- Applied Botany (U of S)
- Soils for Horticulture (U of S)
- Greenhouse Crop Production (Olds)
- Greenhouse Structures and Environments (Olds)
and at least three of
- Integrated Plant Management (Olds)
- Safework/Pesticide Application (ACC)
- Basics of Horticulture Marketing (Olds)
- Basics of Horticulture Business Management (Olds)
and at least one of
PLUS an Open Elective course (if necessary) to meet the minimum requirements.
Nursery Crop Production
Required Courses
- Applied Botany (U of S)
- Soils for Horticulture (U of S)
- Nursery Crop Production (ACC)
- Propagation (Olds)
and at least three of
- Integrated Plant Management (Olds)
- Safework/Pesticide Application (ACC)
- Basics of Horticulture Marketing (Olds)
- Basics of Horticulture Business Management (Olds)
and at least one of
PLUS an Open Elective course (if necessary) to meet the minimum requirements.
FAQs
How long do I have to complete the program?
Students have 5 years to complete the program.