Program Overview

Market Gardener

Overview

The Market Gardener program is a 5-month, non-credit program offered through Continuing Education and Training. It is designed to develop a skillset for organic market garden agriculture, including greenhouse propagation, soil and plant science, crop planning and budgeting, weed and pest control, irrigation technology, business management, and marketing.

Location and Delivery

• Location: Port Alberni
• Length: 5 months
• Delivery: In-person, full-time

Program Description

Students will learn concepts of organic market garden agriculture and develop business management and marketing skills. They will gain knowledge of greenhouse propagation, soil and plant science, crop planning, weed and pest control, and irrigation technology. By selling produce at local farmer's markets, restaurants, and grocery stores, students will have the opportunity to apply practical sales and marketing skills.

Requirements and Courses

Course Requirements

• SSF-010 Introduction to Market Gardening
• SSF-011 Greenhouse Operations
• SSF-012 Market Garden Operation
• SSF-013 Business Plan Preparation
• TFS-010 FoodSafe Level I *
• WSF-019 Orientation to WHMIS Online *
• MVO-071 Transport of Dangerous Goods - Online *
• OFA-010 Occupational First Aid Level 1 *

*Note: TFS-010, WSF-019, MVO-071, and OFA-010 must be completed by program completion.

Completion Requirements

Students must successfully complete each core course and all mandatory safety training courses required within the program.

Admission Requirements

Prospective students should be able to lift up to 20 kilograms. General physical fitness and the ability to use hand tools for extended periods of time, such as garden hoes, weeding tools, and shovels, are also requirements.

Supplies

Students should come to the first day of class with comfortable clothes and shoes and be prepared to work outside.

Careers

The program prepares students for careers in market gardening, with a growing demand for trained gardeners to work on farms and own and operate market gardens.

Costs

• Tuition: $7,250
• Books: $180
• Total: $7,430

Additional fees may include necessary equipment, supplies, NIC-appointed uniforms, or field trips not included in these estimates.