Certificate in Organic Agriculture

About the Certificate in Organic Agriculture

The Certificate in Organic Agriculture (first offered in Fall 2018) provides students with an interdisciplinary understanding of organic agricultural systems in the broader context of societal needs and developments. This broad perspective will enable students to investigate how societal changes shape the agriculture and food value chain in general and with regard to specific requirements, such as certification of organic agricultural and food production practices and standards. This certificate will require the completion of 2.50 credits: 1.50 credits of required courses, 1.00 credits from restricted electives.

Who can take the certificate?

The certificate will be open to all students registered in any undergraduate program offered by the University of Guelph. Students will need to be in their second year to begin the certificate, as determined by the prerequisite requirement of 5.00 credits to take the OAGR*2070 Introduction to Organic Agriculture course. Students should note that most courses are available as in-class only.  

Courses

Required Courses:

• OAGR*2070 [1.00] Introduction to Organic Agriculture (winter semester offering)
• OAGR*4180 [0.50] Social Issues in Organic Agriculture (winter semester offering)

Restricted Electives: Students should note that some restricted electives require other courses not included among the required 9 courses for the certificate as prerequisites. Further, some restricted elective courses may be priority access courses or restricted to certain programs or majors. Students should thus consult the most recent undergraduate calendar for specific requirements. Students must select 1.00 credits of restricted electives from any of the following lists:

Soils:

• AGR*2320 [0.50] Soils in Agroecosystems
• ENVS*2060 [0.50] Soil Science
• ENVS*3310 [0.50] Soil Biodiversity and Ecosystem Function

Animal and Plant Production:

• ANSC*1210 [1.00] Principles of Animal Care and Welfare
• ENVS*4100 [0.50] Integrated Management of Invasive Insect Pests
• HORT*3510 [0.50] Vegetable Production
• OAGR*4050 [1.00] Design of Organic Production Systems
• PBIO*4070 [0.50] Biological and Cultural Control of Plant Diseases

Society and Sustainability:

• EDRD*3400 [0.50] Sustainable Communities
• ENVS*2070 [0.50] Environmental Perspectives and Human Choices
• ENVS*2130 [0.50] Eating Sustainably in Ontario
• GEOG*3320 [0.50] Food Systems: Issues in Security & Sustainability
• SOC*2080 [0.50] Rural Sociology

How to apply      

Following completion of the above credits, students can apply for the certificate through Open Learning and Educational Support by completing a Certificate Application Request Form through their OpenEd Student Portal.

What happened to the Organic Agriculture major?

The University of Guelph introduced the certificate to ensure easier access to organic and sustainable agriculture supplementary learning for students. This certificate replaces the organic agriculture major in the Bachelor of Science in Agriculture degree. Now all students interested in these topics have the option to pursue their interests through a certificate.