Sustainable Food Systems
Overview
Innovate new ways to grow, harvest and manage our food supply. Work closely with our instructors to help research different greenhouse models and find out how to improve food security in communities.
We all rely on safe, high-quality, healthy foods. Assiniboine’s field to fork approach encourages quality on your plate while also supporting local food producers. Our courses emphasize innovation in how food is produced and how harvests are managed, all in the context of food security
Learn both the industry-standard and new, modern approaches to growing food either inside the greenhouse or in the field. Explore how fruits and vegetables are grown, understand the science of agronomy, and figure out the techniques behind operating a greenhouse, breeding and propagating plants, and managing nutrients and pests.
Our 3,300 square foot sustainable greenhouse is the centre for training and research, where instructors and students work on projects to help the environment while growing food. This program enjoys a fully-equipped greenhouse, garden, orchard, field labs and growth chamber.
Work with instructors, industry partners and people from the community as you do applied research in our facilities to solve food issues. Design, develop and carry out food projects that combine your learning with real-world application and experience. Work on projects side-by-side with Horticultural Production and Agribusiness students as you tackle shared concerns.
Exploring Food Systems
Full-Tuition Awards Available!
The Elevate Award is a full-tuition award that supports university or college graduates looking to enhance their professional skill sets by pursuing an advanced diploma program. Up to 20 full-tuition Elevate awards are granted annually to domestic students (Canadian citizens and Permanent Residents). Awards are limited; apply to the program today!
Admissions
- Two-year diploma or university degree
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 assiniboine.net/registrar for more information on assessment of special circumstances.
Careers & Connections
Career Opportunities
Graduates can access exciting work opportunities in food security or innovation in food production at the local, national or international level. Potential employers include the private sector, government departments, First Nations or nongovernmental organizations.
Connections
Assiniboine has a number of agreements with other colleges, universities and professional organizations, making it possible to apply credit taken at Assiniboine to programs at other institutions. For up-to-date information on agreements, visit Assiniboine’s Articulation Agreements page.
Tools & Supplies
Our classrooms, labs and shops are equipped with the necessary equipment that you need to make the most of your experience. However, there are some tools and supplies that you will need to purchase for personal use to help you with your studies. Much of what you purchase you’ll be able to use after you graduate and begin your career. Tool and supply lists are available from the school office 30 days prior to the start date of the program. This program features a fully-equipped greenhouse, tools and equipment, garden, orchard, field labs, growth chamber, classrooms and computer labs.
Textbooks, supplies and uniforms for all of our programs and courses may be purchased at the Assiniboine Bookstore at the Victoria Avenue East Campus, which is open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Booklists are available from your school office 30 days prior to the start date of your program. Visit the Bookstore’s website to learn more.
2023-24 Lists:
Program Checklist:
2023-24 Lists:
Booklist:
Supplies List:
Technology Requirements
Students in this program are required to bring their own laptop for use on-campus. The laptop must meet the technical needs outlined by the program. Refer to assiniboine.net/tech for detailed information.
Courses & Costs
Costs
Estimated Program Costs (Domestic students)
Credits | Tuition | Course fees | Students' Association fees (Inc Health Premium) | Estimated textbooks, tools and supplies | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Sustainable Food Systems | 63 | $3,630 | $1,160 | $460 | $440 |
All fees are estimated and subject to change without notice.
Estimated Program Costs (International students)
Credits | Tuition | Course Fees | Students' Association fees (Inc Health Premium) | Required Health Insurance | Textbooks, Tools, & Supplies | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Sustainable Food Systems | 63 | $16,120 | $1,160 | $460 | $750 | $440 |
All fees are estimated and are subject to change without notice. All international students must purchase health insurance. The college adds this fee to your student account and then sends your name and fee to the insurance provider on your behalf.
Courses
To graduate with a Sustainable Food Systems advanced diploma, students must successfully complete 60 academic credits and 3 practical credits. The minimum passing grade for each course is indicated on the course outline. Course offerings are subject to change and may vary by intake.
Courses
Title | Credits/CEUs | Elective | Distance | PLAR |
---|---|---|---|---|
1st Aid - Emergency (HLTH-0030)Basic First Aid & CPR techniques taught in an interactive environment for individuals and employees who want an overview of First Aid & CPR in the workplace or home. The course covers skills needed to recognize, prevent and respond to cardiovascular emergences for Adults, CPR and other topics such as choking, airway and breathing emergencies, and prevention of disease transmission. This course meets the minimum regulations for Workplace Health & Safety for Basic First Aid. Participants who meet the required standard receive a nationally recognized certification that is valid for three years. Textbook included in cost of tuition. |
0 credit(s) | No | No | No |
Business of Food Production (AGRC-0282)This course covers classification systems, crop production practices and processes, post-harvest handling and marketing of food crops. Students examine and apply the concepts of sustainable production programming and integrated food crop management practices for a successful food production business. The student will also learn advanced techniques and innovations in fruit and vegetable production through highlights of new research, traditional approaches, and in-class activities and other assignments. Students will be responsible for completing an independent project that demonstrate problem-solving abilities and innovation in food production. |
6 credit(s) | No | No | No |
Career and Business Planning (BUSN-0159)This course provides students with a practical approach to preparing and presenting a comprehensive business and a career plan. Students will be introduced to the preparation of business and marketing plans as well as elements of e-commerce and project management. Both traditional business models and social enterprise will be emphasized throughout. The principal goal of this course is to have students prove their capability to develop and implement organizational strategies in simulated business situations. |
6 credit(s) | No | No | No |
Crop Production Systems (AGRC-0219)Prerequisite: AGRC-0278 Food Production Methods |
6 credit(s) | No | No | No |
Food Production Methods (AGRC-0278)This course provides hands-on experience in practical methods and techniques used in food production systems. The course focuses on advanced food production practices including techniques used in crop improvement and plant propagation of horticultural crops. Students learn about and perform practices in evaluation of morphological processes of seed and plant growth development, application and management of fertilizers, and greenhouse food production management programs. Students are responsible for completing an independent project that demonstrates problem-solving ability and innovation. |
6 credit(s) | No | No | No |
Food Security & Sustainability (AGRC-0284)This course introduces students to topics related to safety and security of the food supply, including food safety legislation, safe food handling practices, food labeling, traceability and processes to improve food safety. Students will examine social, ecological and economic principles of sustainability with regards to food production systems by critically analyzing topics like climate change, plant genetic resources, soil, water, air quality, genetically modified foods, traditional and contemporary food production, consumerism and food consumption patterns. Students will evaluate the implications of industrial and alternative agricultural systems on food safety, security and sustainability. |
6 credit(s) | No | No | No |
Food Systems Applied Research (AGRC-0274)Students will be introduced to project management principles and to the skills needed and issues involved in the conception, design and implementation of innovation projects related to sustainable food systems. This course will culminate in a student-led and industry/community-responsive project. Each student or group will be assigned an appropriate project relevant to the food industry in Canada. The project outcome will be presented as an individual written report. |
6 credit(s) | No | No | No |
Growing Media Applications (AGRC-0276)Students will examine the components and properties of various growing media including soils, soilless, hydroponic, compost mix and other media substrates. Topics like soil-water relationships, plant nutrition, soil bio-physico-chemical properties will be studied by performing various soil sampling and testing methods. Students will be introduced to state-of-the-art innovations in soil and other media management as they relate to sustainable plant production. Students will be responsible for completing an independent project that demonstrates problem-solving ability and innovation in growing media applications. |
6 credit(s) | No | No | No |
Integrated Pest Management (AGRC-0094)Principles of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) are introduced and include identifying, monitoring, forecasting and managing environmental and pest conditions that impact horticulture crops including weeds, viruses, bacteria, phytoplasmas, fungi, algae, protozoa, nematodes, arthropods and rodents. Students learn to diagnose problems, provide solutions and predict how the manipulation of growing conditions can impact other factors of production. Topics include basic chemistry, legislation and regulations, labeling, toxicity, handling practices, environmental protection, application equipment, emergency response and public relations. Students are responsible for completing an independent project that demonstrates problem-solving ability and innovation in the IPM field. |
6 credit(s) | No | No | No |
Practicum - STFDS (PRAC-0263)This course requires a minimum of 120 hours of food systems related experience. The work practicum is subject to prior approval of and monitoring by a faculty member. Credit is based on successful completion of the work practicum plus a presentation based on the student's work experience. Work experience acquired prior to registration in the program is not eligible for this credit. |
3 credit(s) | No | No | No |
Sustainable Greenhouse Mngmt (AGRC-0287)This course examines the sustainable production, handling and marketing of greenhouse-grown vegetables and herbs in seasonal and year-round greenhouse operations. Topics include environment control systems, planning and planting schedule, media control and plant management, water systems, composting, water nutrient capture, cleaning and sanitation. Sustainable approaches to greenhouse management will be explored through in-class activities and other assignments. Students will be responsible for completing an independent project that demonstrates problem-solving ability and innovation in greenhouse management. |
6 credit(s) | No | No | No |
The Food Industry (AGRC-0288)In this course students will be visiting a variety of food related industries, exploring and learning different concepts and skills set related to the industry. Students will gain experience by working closely with a diverse range of industry operations and procedures while acquiring knowledge and advanced industry-specific skills. Various aspects of food production and processing facilities operations, regulations, and practical application and implementation of quality programs are also reviewed in this course. The knowledge and skills acquired in this course will prepare students for specialized careers in the food industry and for advanced studies at the university level. |
6 credit(s) | No | No | No |
Staff
Sajjad A. Rao BSc, MSc, PhD
Dr. Rao is an accredited Canadian Plant Breeder and Agrologist, with over 25 years of progressive experience in applied research and teaching. Dr. Rao holds a PhD degree in plant science from The University of Liverpool, England U.K.
He has served in many academic and research positions, committees, boards of directors, and as an external examiner for post-graduate research studies with various universities. In addition to his academic work, Dr. Rao has experience working for multinational agricultural companies, holding senior-level management positions in which he developed a passion for leadership in R&D strategies.
In his professional career, Sajjad has made significant contributions in developing wheat varieties for North America, and in commercializing corn hybrids in the Asian-Pacific sphere. Currently, Dr. Rao’s research engages him in innovation of sustainable greenhouse production technologies, food systems, and in employing novel genetics in horticultural and agronomic field crops.
Poonam Singh BSc, MSc, PhD
Dr. Poonam Singh joined the college in 2015 as a Professor of Horticultural Science in the Horticultural Production and Sustainable Food Systems programs. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture, a Bachelor of Education degree, a BC Provincial Instructor diploma, a Masters of Science in Landscaping and Floriculture, and a Doctorate in Horticulture.
Dr. Singh’s work history includes working as a Research Fellow at the Institute of Himalayan Bioresource Technology (India), as an Assistant Professor at the Punjab Agricultural University (India), as a Scientist at the Institute for Sustainable Horticulture, BC, and as a faculty member at the School of Horticulture, Kwantlen Polytechnic University, BC.
Dr. Singh’s research focuses on developing sustainable technologies for the greenhouse production of horticultural crops, evaluating new soilless media/substrates, hydroponic crop cultures, vertical farming, and horticultural crop physiology. Dr. Singh has been working in various applied research projects aimed at adopting sustainable practices and improving the production efficiency of horticultural farms. Dr. Singh’s collaborative project with Mayfair farms (Portage La Prairie, MB) and the Vegetable Growers of Manitoba Association provided Manitoba onion producers with critical information on the incidence and prevalence of Botrytis neck rot disease and options for its management. In another collaborative research project with Shelmerdine Garden Center (Winnipeg, MB), she developed sustainable pest management strategies for use in commercial floricultural greenhouses. This approach gave customers organic, pesticide-free products and helped the nursery industry keep up with the changing trends of the horticulture industry. Another partnership with Vermillion Growers (Dauphin, MB) helped them to adopt sustainable crop production technologies by testing the latest products and technologies like root-zone oxygenation, biofertilizers, growth promotors, bio-stimulants to enhance greenhouse vegetable production. Her current research project with Vanderveen's Greenhouse Ltd. (Carman, MB) focuses on exploring new soilless growing media blends to partially or completely replace peat for improving the production of ornamental crops in greenhouses. Dr. Singh’s research is helping growers in reducing production costs, increasing resource efficiency, and contributing to long-term economic and environmental sustainability.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the next program information session?
Program information sessions are completely free to attend, and we invite you to bring a guest along as well. It's a good idea to register in advance so we know you're coming.
To find the complete schedule for our program information sessions and to RSVP, visit the program information session page.