Education

14 WINNIPEG FREE PRESS - THURSDAY, AUGUST 2, 2018 By Todd Lewys for the Free Press The mandate of Assiniboine Community College's Agribusiness program is a simple one: Learn by doing. "Our goal is to help students gain the tools they need to be successful by providing them with a thorough education in the business and technological aspects of agriculture," says instructor Danielle Tichit. "Our program gives students a big-picture view of the industry. That's the only way to ensure they're ready to tackle all the challenges that come with working in the agriculture industry." While the delivery style of many college and university programs can be highly theoretical, Assiniboine's Agribusiness program takes a more practical, hands-on approach. "It combines agriculture, business and technology to produce an in-depth education that deals with all the different aspects of the agriculture industry," explains instructor James Ellis. "Students enjoy a dynamic, student-focused atmosphere where experienced instructors teach in small classes." And while students spend their fair share of time in class, a higher percentage of their time is spent out in the field, says Tichit, who teaches courses in business, agriculture and environment. "We believe in giving students maximum time in a field setting," she says. "We have them out in the field doing things as early as possible, such as working with equipment, taking soil samples and studying insects. We try to place them in situations to help them gain practical experience." Fellow instructor Baljeet Singh says present-day Agribusiness students benefit from the College's excellent relationship with former students and Manitoba Agriculture. "Because we have strong ties with past graduates and with Manitoba Agriculture, we basically have the ability to provide students with a classroom in the field," he says. "Say we want to teach a lesson on how to assess soil quality — we can arrange for our students to go out in the field at our alumni's farms to do testing. That gives them practical experience and helps them develop the skills they need." Tichit says the college also involves alumni in another way. "Not only do we have them host our students at their farms, but we also have them come into the college to give guest lectures. Those lectures are invaluable to students, as they gain cutting-edge knowledge from people who are currently working in the industry." At the same time, the Agribusiness program collaborates with other schools in the college to provide the most thorough education possible. "There are a lot of different aspects to the agriculture industry, so we integrate a lot of topics, starting in first year," she adds. "Topics include land and water management and GIS technology, as well as others. By taking these courses, students learn to appreciate all aspects of the industry." Singh says few institutions offer such practical learning. "Having the opportunity to gain specialized knowledge and be so close to the environment and equipment is huge," he says. "Almost every day, students are out in the field. A good example would be last February, where students dug out in a frozen field on a cold day. Doing that prepares them for the real challenges they'll face when they work in the industry." Likewise, work placements are also designed to provide students with practical, hands-on experience. "They're a unique part of our program, and are a mandatory course," says Ellis. "Each student has to complete 600 hours of work placement experience. It helps them realize how much more they need to learn, and to figure out what part of the industry they might want to work in. A successful placement might also help them land a job." These days, most Agribusiness students are able to find employment thanks to the program's commitment to turning out well-rounded, workplace- ready graduates. "We strive to provide students with a balanced education on the business side with courses such as financial accounting, crop marketing, commodity risk management, and agriculture economics," Tichit says. "Many students go on to work for banks and credit unions, while others run their own farm." To date, feedback from graduates — and employers — has been overwhelmingly positive. "Pretty much all our students say they're pleased with the well-rounded education we provide, and the wide range of job opportunities it affords them," Ellis says. "The reality is that employers are looking for students to fill jobs. We're happy to do our part to help meet industry needs by turning out students who are ready to step in and do a great job for employers." For more information, visit assiniboine.net. ❚ AGRIBUSINESS PROGRAM TAKES HANDS-ON APPROACH ASSINIBOINE COMMUNITY COLLEGE From top: Agribusiness students Karli Frederick (left) and Chelsea Kostal conduct alfalfa stem counts at Rosedale Farm as part of the Agro-ecology field lab; Agribusiness student, Cole Tilbury digs up an alfalfa plant to analyze the health of the root system; Students learn about the aspects of potato storage during the Agro-ecology field lab; Digging soil pits is a great way to experience soil structure and properties. Supplied photos

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