With an ever increasing need for agricultural business employment, the Lambton College Agri-Business Management, Ontario College Graduate Certificate program is designed for students who wish to enter a career in the agricultural sector at the supervisory level, or to manage relationships in an agri-business environment typical of a sales or other agricultural services role.
In this multi-disciplined program, students utilize existing related education or experience to learn and apply a variety of skills to help operate and manage an agricultural business. Students develop a foundation of business skills, including communications, accounting, human resources, relationship managing and marketing strategies that apply to the Canadian agricultural industry of today. With the rapid adoption of agricultural technology, students study the impact of this technology on farm operations, as well as on other applications, from software to farm machinery.
To round out the learning, students study environmental farm management to gain a deeper understanding of the production of food, feed, and fuel as well as livestock physiology and health, pest control management and new and emerging agri-business technology. This hands-on program will include a real-world course on farm machinery to provide a robust understanding on farm equipment operations and safety.
See Course List
Admission Requirements
A university degree in agri-business, economics, science, environmental or other agriculturally related fields of study.
The admissions process is competitive and meeting the minimum academic requirements does not guarantee admission.
Lambton College reserves the right to alter information including admission requirements and to cancel at any time a program or course; to change the location and/or term in which a program or course is offered; to change the program curriculum as necessary
to meet current competencies or changes in the job market; to change the pathways third-party certification bodies; or to withdraw an offer of admission both prior to and after its acceptance by an applicant or student because of insufficient applications
or registrations or over-acceptance of offers of admission. In the event Lambton College exercises such a right, Lambton College’s sole liability will be the return of monies paid by the applicant or student to Lambton College.
English Language Requirements
Applicants must demonstrate language proficiency by submitting one of the following scores:
- IELTS of 6.5
- TOEFL iBT 79
- Passed Lambton Institute of English placement test
Please Note: IELTS is the only proficiency score accepted by the Study Direct Stream (SDS) program. Additional country-specific requirements may also be applicable.
Meeting the minimum English requirements does not guarantee admission. Students with higher English proficiency scores will receive priority in the admission assessment process.
Technology Requirements
In order to keep pace with the requirements of each and every course in your program, it is mandatory to own a reliable laptop to complete tests and assignments.
Course List
COM-3013: Professional Communications
This course is designed for international students with diplomas or degrees. It focuses on polishing communications skills acquired through one's academic career and workplace experience. Through various business writing and speaking scenarios, students learn Canadian business practices and communication styles. Close attention is paid to proper incorporation of the intellectual property of others to ensure academic integrity. Students will practice organized and dynamic speaking and will strive for polished business documents.
MKT-1143: Marketing Fundamentals
This course introduces students to the foundations of successful marketing and prepares them for advanced marketing courses. The emphasis is on learning and applying marketing concepts in an ever-changing Canadian business environment that is becoming more global in nature. Topics covered include the following: understanding the marketing environment, consumer and business behaviour, marketing intelligence, and the design and implementation of effective marketing strategies and marketing mix elements.
AGO-1003: Canadian Agri-Business Fundamentals
This course familiarizes students with the diverse and bountiful nature of the agricultural industry in Canada. Students will be introduced to the unique operations of Canadian agri-business from a regional, provincial and national perspective. Students will gain the knowledge of Canada's stature in the global marketplace. As well, key business concepts will be introduced to assist in building a foundation for sound decision making. Students will develop a strong understanding of the rural support mechanisms and organizations in place to ensure safe, viable and sustainable food production in Canada.
MEC-1502: Canadian Workplace Health and Safety
In providing an overview of Canadian Labour laws, workplace rules and regulations, and Health and Safety Hazards in the workplace, students gain an understanding of the responsibilities of employers, worker's rights as well as the responsibilities of various organizations in the Canadian labour industry. Awareness and recognition of various health and safety risks arising from a variety of occupations is also covered.
BUS-1234: Computer Applications for Business
Strong computer skills are essential to finding employment in management and administration. This course provides students with resources and guidance to develop skills in Microsoft Office applications. While the focus will be spent learning and applying document processing, presentation and extra time on spreadsheet management tools, students will also develop skills in time management, self-discipline, and attention to detail. Students will also have an opportunity to improve their ability to read and follow written instructions. Computer Applications for Business is a course delivered using practical hands-on applications and comprises additional online skills assessment and training tools purposefully designed to provide flexibility in learning. This course further prepares students to apply these professional business application skills, with enhanced emphasis on spreadsheet management as they continue and expand in their program areas of study.
ACC-1093: Accounting Concepts I
This course is an introduction to the theory of accounting and the standard methods of recordkeeping for non-accounting major students. Generally accepted accounting principles and concepts are emphasized in the preparation of financial statements.
MKT-1103: Social Media Marketing
This course explores online marketing tools and tactics, such as social media, email, digital advertising and content marketing, that businesses can use to build a profitable relationship with their customers. Students engage in simulated social media, email and digital advertising campaigns to gain a better understanding of how to use these tools in their marketing efforts. Along with learning about digital and social media marketing, students learn general principles of marketing that are key for every business, regardless of industry or size: identifying who your customers are; understanding what needs they have that you are uniquely able to serve; creating a brand voice that speaks to them; identifying who your competitors are; deciding how to differentiate your offering from theirs; and creating a plan for engaging customers across social media and digital advertising platforms.
AGO-2002: Agricultural Machinery and Farm Safety
This course provides students with a general overview of farm machinery and technology employed by Canadian producers of agricultural commodities. Students will become familiar with the uses of tractors, harvesters, tillage, planting and spraying equipment. Precision Farming principles and components will be introduced. As with all heavy equipment, safe operation and site awareness is of utmost importance. Students will describe and demonstrate safe farm workplace practices as directed by Canadian safety laws and regulations.
AGO-2012: Introduction to Canadian Agricultural Law
In this course, students are introduced to elements of Canadian Law that play a significant role in agri-business and Canadian farming practices. Specific topics include organizational structures of farm operations, jurisdictions of various levels of government insofar as it relates to regulating agricultural matters, select regulatory requirements for farming in Canada, select dispute resolution processes, plus related federal and provincial legislation.
AGO-2033: Introduction to Canadian Field Crops
This course takes a systems approach to Canadian agricultural crop production. Curriculum topics include identification of major Canadian crops and their product end use, land preparation, crop selection, crop establishment, and harvesting will be discussed. In addition, basic soil characteristics and plant morphology are studied.
FSQ-1013: Food Processing in Canada
The course will provide an overview of food and beverage processing industry in Canada such as diary, poultry and egg, wine, horticulture and introducing students to principles and practices of canning, freezing, dehydration, pasteurization and speciality food manufacture.
JSS-1001: Job Search and Success
This course is designed to give the student an understanding of how to conduct a job search and how to succeed in the work place. This includes self-reflection, effectively designing a cover letter and resume, online job searches utilizing social media, behavioural based interviewing as well as marketing oneself effectively in a job interview. Job safety, successful work strategies and harassment and discrimination plan of action is also discussed.
AGO-3013: Introduction to Canadian Livestock Operations
Livestock agriculture is a large and diverse industry within Canada that includes many different species, as well as many different production methods. Students taking this course will learn Standard Operating Procedures for Ontario producers, efficient and low stress handling, the basics of mechanical and technical systems that help with animal agriculture, nutrient management, and the role of livestock within a regenerative agricultural system This class will feature a combination of in-class presentations, labs, and field trips in order to show students modern production methods.
MKT-3403: Selling
This course is designed to provide students with an introduction to professional selling and the skills required to find success in relationship building and sales. Students are introduced to the many career alternatives available as well as the day-to-day expectations of a successful salesperson. The focus is to assist students develop their personal brand and strengthen their presentation, communication, and negotiation skills through role-playing, simulations, and applied learning exercises. Both traditional and digital prospecting methods are explored, along with the application of effective discovery, proposal creation, and problem resolution strategies, all in support of creating a customer relationship built on trust. Topics include goal setting, planning, time management, sales analytics, key performance indicator analysis, and customer relationship building. Students apply their learning in a simulated, professional business-to-business sales environment.
AGO-3003: Canadian Greenhouse Production
Students in this course study a variety of greenhouse production including an overview of the Canadian greenhouse industry, production economics, chemical and biological pest control, and the production of bedding plants, potted plants, flowering plants and vegetables, as well as an introduction to cannabis crops. In addition, students learn about the actual internal greenhouse environment necessary to understand and work within a greenhouse. Students learn the necessary skills to enhance their background for employment in the greenhouse crop production industry.
AGO-3033: Introductory Pest and Weed Control Management
Students will study the principles of pest management in agricultural cropping systems. They will learn the basic concepts of integrated pest management and principles guiding the safe use of pesticides. Students also study identification of selected weeds, diseases and insects of field crops in Canada.
AGO-3022: Farm Biosecurity in Canada
Biosecurity is the protection of livestock, poultry and crops from any type of disease or pest whether viral, bacterial, fungal, or parasitic. People, animals and equipment can bring diseases and pests with them from off-farm and spread them around the farm from one facility to another. Students will learn about good biosecurity practices and how to apply them on-farm. This course will cover three primary on-farm control areas: farm access management (people and vehicles); animal and plant health management; and operational management (sanitation of equipment and facilities; wildlife and pests; and, training and documentation).
AGO-3053: Canadian Vegetable and Fruit Production Management
Curriculum focuses on the role of the Canadian climate in large-scale fruit and vegetable production; cold hardiness; flowering and fruit development; fruit growth, thinning and maturity indices; harvesting techniques; and marketing and food safety are discussed. In addition, planting, pruning, and frost protection are also addressed. Soil, climate, and equipment, utilized for a wide variety of crops, from vegetable crops to vines is discussed. Students learn the necessary skills to enhance their background for employment in the fruit and vegetable crop industry.
SCU-1603: Fundamentals of Entrepreneurship
FUNdamentals of Entrepreneurship is a gamified business simulation where students assume the role of an entrepreneur pursuing their passion of selling clothing online and in their retail store. The player subcribes to the guidance of a business coach and will build a successful venture in a virtual neighbourhood. The player can upgrade their store and operations by completed learning modules and testing. Through self-paced gameplay, students learn important concepts from Finance, Human Resources, Marketing, Health and Safety, Risk Management and more. In the process, they acquire the skills to effectively run a company as they upgrade their operation by completing learning modules and quizzes. Each student has a unique playing experience via ingame customizations, such as avatar creation, and store design. All content is contained within the game - no textbook is required. Students who have successfully completed MAN-1183 are not eligible to take this course.
CPL-1049: Co-op Work Term
Co-operative education provides students with the opportunity to apply classroom learning to the workplace, undertake career sampling and gain valuable work experience that may assist students in leveraging employment after graduation. For further information regarding co-op, please refer to: https://www.lambtoncollege.ca/co-op_and_career/
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CPL-5559: WIL Project
Work Integrated Learning (WIL) Project is aimed at enriching students by connecting different program areas of study, cutting across subject-matter lines, and emphasizing unifying concepts. The focus of the WIL Project is to make connections between study and industry by engaging students in relevant and meaningful activities that are connected to and practiced within the professional workplace. WIL Project allows students to enhance and strengthen their employability prospects post-graduation by fine tuning skills and knowledge and meeting the expectations of today's employers. Students are required to attend the scheduled shifts in the WIL office, reporting to the WIL Supervisor. Weekly real-world challenges are presented in the WIL office, designed by industry professionals. In addition to the weekly assigned deliverables, students are also offered professional development sessions, and exposed to industry guest speakers, enhancing their opportunity to develop their professional network.
Program Maps
Current Students
Current students can view program maps from previous years on the mylambton website.
You will need to login with your C# and password in order to access your program map.
Employment Opportunities
Career positions may include, but are not limited to:
- agricultural consultant
- agricultural extension supervisor
- agricultural livestock specialist
- agriculturist
- agrologist
- agronomist
- crop specialist
- farm management consultant