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  • Horticulture – Food and Farming (Co-op option available)

Horticulture – Food and Farming (Co-op option available)

Ministry-approved title: Artisan Agriculture


Credential
Ontario College Diploma
Location
Whitby
OCAS Code
AAGR
Next Intake
September 2025
View all intakes
Faculty
Faculty of Hospitality and Horticultural Science (HHS)
Length
Four semesters
Laptop
Learn more about laptop requirements
Co-op
Learn more about co-op options
Delivery
In person Learn more.
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Horticulture – Food And Farming Program Overview

Guided by a field-to-fork philosophy, the Horticulture – Food and Farming program prepares students to be leaders in the rapidly evolving food and farming sector. With a focus on sustainable food production, controlled environment, innovation, and entrepreneurship, students gain the skills and knowledge to meet the challenges of feeding growing urban populations while supporting local food systems.

Working in a one-of-a-kind environment, including a  urban farm setting, you will learn to create the wholesome, locally produced food in demand by today’s consumers and how you can contribute solutions to communities looking to feed cities in creative and sustainable ways. In addition, students experience how agri-tourism brings urban residents to farming and will have an enhanced awareness of local food production and artisan product development.

By combining practical experience with a strong understanding of sustainability strategies and consumer trends learned in horticulture and food science courses, students are prepared to take on leadership roles in urban farming, local food advocacy, sustainable agricultural and product development.

Intakes and Availability

Date Domestic Availability International Availability PGWP eligible program. Learn more
September 2025OpenOpenApply now
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Admission Requirements

  • Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or Mature Student Status
    AND
  • Grade 12 English (C or U)
  • Grade 11 mathematics (C, M or U)

Are you missing admission requirements? We are here to help.

Durham College (DC) offers pre-admission assessment testing to mature domestic applicants to meet admission requirements in English and/or math. Domestic applicants that are 19 years of age or older as of the start date of their program, and who do not have the required program credit(s) i.e., Grade 12 English and/or Grade 12 math are eligible to take an admissions assessment test.

Learn more about how to book Pre-Admission Assessment Testing here.

DC also offers Academic Upgrading. Courses are FREE and designed to help you meet the admissions requirements for this program. Available to individuals 18+, these courses are offered on-campus at DC. Boost your qualifications with:

  • Grade 12 Math (MAP4C equivalent)
  • Grade 12 English (ENG4C equivalent)
  • Grade 11 Biology (SBI3C equivalent)
  • Grade 12 Chemistry (SCH4C equivalent)

Learn more about Academic Upgrading and connect with our team to get started.


Tuition

  • Year one domestic: $2,722 (CAD)
  • Year one international: $14,884 (CAD)

View full costs


Semester 1 Courses

  • Chemistry for Food Technicians (AGCT 2131)
  • Fruits for Artisan Urban Agriculture (AGFA 1131)
  • Food and Agriculture Regulations and Policies (AGFA 2131)
  • Fundamentals Of Botany, Plant (AGFB 1131)
  • Propagation Of Vegetables for Field and Urban Agriculture (AGPV 1131)
  • Technical Report Writing for Horticulture (TECH 1132)

View all courses


Co-operative Education (co-op)

The best way to succeed in your field is to immerse yourself in it! Co-op is an excellent way to build your professional network, explore career paths and apply in-class teachings to real work situations. Co-op is a model of education that integrates academic learning with workplace learning in fields relevant to our students’ academic and personal goals.

View more


Career Options

WHAT YOU COULD BE:

  • Coordinator of environmental and community projects with municipalities
  • Farm manager or production assistant on vegetable or fruit farms
  • Manager or coordinator of roof-top and community gardens 
  • Food quality assurance and quality control analyst
  • Food product developer
  • Food safety technician
  • Manager or production assistant for crop production in greenhouses
  • Owner/operator of your own food production farm

View all career options

Connect with us

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Please contact the international office.

Horticulture – Food and Farming Program Details

As the global population grows and the demand for sustainable food production increases, the need for skilled horticulturalists has never been greater. Urban farmers and market gardens play a vital role in addressing critical challenges such as food security, environmental sustainability, and the development of innovative agricultural practices. From cultivating nutrient-rich crops to advancing urban farming solutions, professionals in this field are shaping the future of how we grow, process, and distribute food. The Horticulture - Food and Farming program equips students with the expertise needed to thrive in this essential industry, combining hands-on experience with cutting-edge knowledge in agriculture, food production, processing, and sustainable farming techniques. Whether working on urban farms, managing greenhouses, or developing niche food products, horticulturalists are at the forefront of creating a more sustainable and resilient food system.

With more than 50 percent of your time spent in experiential learning opportunities in the labs and fields of the W. Galen Weston Centre for Food (Weston Centre), you will gain a unique hands-on opportunity to become familiar with the concepts that are critical to the food and agricultural industry, all within the context of a field-to-fork philosophy. You will learn in our fields, greenhouses, hoop house and state-of-the-art food chemistry and processing labs while planning for, planting, tending to and harvesting more than 50 varieties of produce, berry bushes, herbs and more. This practical training as you study urban agriculture ensures you’ll develop a deep understanding of traditional and modern farming techniques.

By developing your own value-added food products, you will have a greater knowledge and understanding of the opportunities that come with food production. This hands-on process allows students to explore innovative ways to extend the shelf life, flavour, or market potential innovative food processing techniques, bridging the gap between agriculture and food entrepreneurship. Whether you are interested in a career with a food company, managing a food operation, developing your own food product or owning a greenhouse or production farm, you will gain critical skills in modern farming concepts, food processing and food preservation to position you as an industry leader.

The Food and Farming program will offer you a hands-on opportunity to become familiar with the concepts of food production as you study agriculture and farming. You will focus on the following:

  • Plant propagation
  • Soil and plant nutrition
  • Fruit and vegetable production under field, greenhouse, garden and container conditions
  • Food chemistry and analysis
  • Food product development
  • Food processing, including niche processing of local foods
  • Food and agriculture regulations
  • Food safety and microbiology
  • Disease and pest management
  • Business practices including product branding, entrepreneurship and marketing.

The program is offered at the college's Whitby campus, home of the W. Galen Weston Centre for Food. This incredible learning environment includes orchards, agricultural fields, greenhouses, food labs and more. Students also utilize the specialized laboratories at the 'Oshawa campus and participate in program-specific field trips throughout the academic year.

Students also have an opportunity to contribute to projects connected to the Barrett Centre of Innovation in Sustainable Urban Agriculture. This unique centre is focused on advancing knowledge, opportunities and activities that will lead to greater sustainable urban farming activities in communities throughout Ontario and beyond.

Please note: students will be required to purchase green tag safety boots in order to participate in many laboratory settings.

Each summer, many students are selected for paid work opportunities in the fields and grounds of the Weston Centre. This allows them to build on the learning from their first year and take part in legacy projects.

Durham College's recently announced partnership with The Barrett Family Foundation will support the creation of a centre of excellence and a new urban farm in Durham Region. The Barrett Centre of Innovation in Sustainable Urban Agriculture will become an internationally recognized hub of excellence in urban agriculture practices, research, education and training, creating several new opportunities for students.

    Horticulture – Food and Farming Program Learning Outcomes

    1. Apply the appropriate theory and principles to the production of crops grown under mainstream and organic management systems including varietal differences for end use or storage.
    2. Compare and contrast soils and nutritional and watering requirements for plants and crops in field, garden and container production systems.
    3. Utilize and evaluate niche processing technologies and food safety practices, including HACCP, in the conversion of locally grown crop products into upscale specialty foods.
    4. Discern and apply relevant food safety standards including risk management and food safety plans and traceability to various aspects of food handling and processing.
    5. Evaluate potential entrepreneurial opportunities in value added agriculture and agri tourism by utilizing the fundamentals of business management, business plans, finance, marketing and accounting.
    6. Adhere to local, provincial and federal regulations and policies relating to artisan, urban and value-added agriculture.
    7. Integrate natural biological cycles and controls in managing plant pathogens, weeds, insect pests and parasites.
    8. Apply biological, chemical and food processing technology principles to solving technical problems associated with artisan agriculture and specialty food production.
    9. Analyze energy management and greenhouse structures in the greenhouse sector.
    10. Discern and apply best practices in the production of plants grown under greenhouse and indoor environments.
    11. Develop and communicate principles and key messages of artisan agriculture to consumers, industry representatives and the media.
    12. Develop an integrated farm management plan that accounts for ecological farm practices, environmental protection, biodiversity and wildlife preservation.

    Admission Requirements for the Horticulture – Food And Farming Program

    • Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or Mature Student Status
      AND
    • Grade 12 English (C or U)
    • Grade 11 mathematics (C, M or U)

    Are you missing admission requirements? We are here to help.

    Durham College (DC) offers pre-admission assessment testing to mature domestic applicants to meet admission requirements in English and/or math. Domestic applicants that are 19 years of age or older as of the start date of their program, and who do not have the required program credit(s) i.e., Grade 12 English and/or Grade 12 math are eligible to take an admissions assessment test.

    Learn more about how to book Pre-Admission Assessment Testing here.

    DC also offers Academic Upgrading. Courses are FREE and designed to help you meet the admissions requirements for this program. Available to individuals 18+, these courses are offered on-campus at DC. Boost your qualifications with:

    • Grade 12 Math (MAP4C equivalent)
    • Grade 12 English (ENG4C equivalent)
    • Grade 11 Biology (SBI3C equivalent)
    • Grade 12 Chemistry (SCH4C equivalent)

    Learn more about Academic Upgrading and connect with our team to get started.

    Horticulture – Food and Farming Courses

    The courses listed below are for incoming students. If you are a current student, please refer to your program of study for the year you began your program. Your program of study can be found on MyDC.

    Semester 1

    • Chemistry for Food Technicians (AGCT 2131)
    • Fruits for Artisan Urban Agriculture (AGFA 1131)
    • Food and Agriculture Regulations and Policies (AGFA 2131)
    • Fundamentals Of Botany, Plant (AGFB 1131)
    • Propagation Of Vegetables for Field and Urban Agriculture (AGPV 1131)
    • Technical Report Writing for Horticulture (TECH 1132)

    Semester 2

    • Food Chemistry and Analysis (AGFC 3131)
    • Food Microbiology (AGFM 2131)
    • Mathematics for Horticulture and Artisan Agriculture (AGHM 1131)
    • Farm Planning and Design (AGPD 2131)
    • Topics In Field and Urban Agriculture (AGTA 1131)
    • Career Planning and Development (CARR 2131)
    • Introduction to Soils, Agriculture and Horticulture (HTIS 2131)

    Semester 3

    • Food Safety (AGFO 3131)
    • Process Operations for Artisan 1 (AGFS 3131)
    • Harvest and Post Harvest Methods and Systems (AGOH 3133)
    • General Education Elective (GNED 0000)
    • Greenhouse I (HTGS 4131)
    • Indigenous Elective (INDG 0000)
    • Field Placement (PLAC 1102)

    Semester 4

    • Artisan Product Development (AGPD 4131)
    • Process Operations for Artisan II (AGPO 4131)
    • General Education Elective (GNED 0000)
    • Greenhouse II (HTGP 2131)
    • Entrepreneurship (HTHE 4131)
    • Integrated Pest Management (HTIP 4131)

    Courses, course descriptions and delivery formats are subject to change.

    Course delivery

    In person

    Students will come to campus to complete in-person learning requirements. Detailed schedules, with course-specific delivery information, will be available after registration. Courses, course descriptions and delivery formats are subject to change.

    In person:
    Course is delivered in person, on campus within a classroom, lab, shop or studio.
    Hybrid:
    Part of the course is delivered online, remotely, and part is in-person on campus within a classroom, lab, shop or studio.
    Online:
    Fully remote course delivery.

    Costs for the Horticulture – Food and Farming Program

    Career Options in Horticulture

    WHAT YOU COULD BE:

    • Coordinator of environmental and community projects with municipalities
    • Farm manager or production assistant on vegetable or fruit farms
    • Manager or coordinator of roof-top and community gardens 
    • Food quality assurance and quality control analyst
    • Food product developer
    • Food safety technician
    • Manager or production assistant for crop production in greenhouses
    • Owner/operator of your own food production farm

    WHERE YOU COULD WORK:

    • Agriculture, garden and food product sales
    • Community and roof-top gardens
    • Local farmer’s markets and shops
    • National brand food companies
    • Entrepreneur/small business owner
    • Field production
    • Greenhouses
    • Municipal parks and recreation departments

    Experiential Learning

    Field placement

    Your learning experience will be complemented by a field placement opportunity in food and farming. Students work on farms, in greenhouses, at food production operations, apiaries and with small food entrepreneurs.

    Capstone product development

    Bringing together all the learning in the program, students complete a final semester capstone project that requires the development of a value-added food product. In addition, students have opportunities to showcase their product publicly.

    Program Transfer, Degree Completion and Additional Credentials

    Durham College also offers degree completion opportunities with a number of Canadian and international institutions. Sample diploma-to-degree opportunities include:

    • Bachelor of Business Administration - General Business - Davenport University
    • Bachelor of Science in Environmental Practice - Royal Roads
    • Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Practice - Royal Roads
    • Bachelor of Science in Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems - Trent University
    • Bachelor of Arts in Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems - Trent University

    Please visit our pathways page to learn more about how you can transfer your credits towards a degree.

    Looking for more pathway opportunities or to transfer to Durham College? Click here for more information.

    Tech Requirements for the Horticulture – Food and Farming Program

    To help students have the best learning experience possible, Durham College's IT Services department has identified technology recommendations for each program based on course needs and software requirements. While not required, students may want to consider these suggestions if they are purchasing a computer or laptop for the upcoming academic year.

    Processor: i3
    RAM: 4GB
    Storage: 256GB SSD
    Operating System: Microsoft Windows 10 Professional or Education x64 SP1
    Internet Browser: Internet Explorer 11 or Google Chrome (newest version) or Firefox (latest version)
    Network Adapter: 802.11ac 2.4/5 GHz wireless adapter
    Camera: Webcam/built-in camera
    Internet connection

    Questions regarding technology recommendations can be directed to the IT Service Desk or the school office.

    See Your Space

    Explore the incredible facilities that make the Horticulture - Food and Farming program at Durham College a one-of-a-kind learning experience. From the fields, orchards, and greenhouses of the W. Galen Weston Centre for Food to state-of-the-art food chemistry and processing labs, our spaces are designed to provide students with hands-on, real-world training.

    Co-operative education (co-op)

    The best way to succeed in your field is to immerse yourself in it! Co-op is an excellent way to build your professional network, explore career paths and apply in-class teachings to real work situations. Co-op is a model of education that integrates academic learning with workplace learning in fields relevant to our students’ academic and personal goals.

    Students in the Horticulture – Food and Farming Diploma program will be invited to apply to the co-op option during their first academic semester. Entrance to the co-op option is limited and the processes for securing a work term are competitive.  Students enrolled in the co-op option are required to complete a four-month, paid work term between the second and third semesters of their program.

    Supports are available through Experiential Learning to assist students with securing their work terms. In addition, Experiential Learning is in contact with co-op students and their employers during the work terms to help with any questions. Upon completing the work term, co-op students return to campus to complete their final two academic semesters of the program before graduating.

    Program sequence

    SEPTEMBER INTAKE

    Fall
    (September to December)
    Winter
    (January to April)
    Summer
    (May to August)
    Year 1 Academic semester 1 Academic semester 2 Co-op work term 1
    Year 2 Academic semester 3 Academic semester 4

    Courses

    CO-OP OPTION

    Semester 1

    • Chemistry for Food Technicians (AGCT 2131)
    • Fruits for Artisan Urban Agriculture (AGFA 1131)
    • Food and Agriculture Regulations and Policies (AGFA 2131)
    • Fundamentals Of Botany, Plant (AGFB 1131)
    • Propagation Of Vegetables for Field and Urban Agriculture (AGPV 1131)
    • Technical Report Writing for Horticulture (TECH 1132)

    Semester 2

    • Food Chemistry and Analysis (AGFC 3131)
    • Food Microbiology (AGFM 2131)
    • Mathematics for Horticulture and Artisan Agriculture (AGHM 1131)
    • Farm Planning and Design (AGPD 2131)
    • Topics In Field and Urban Agriculture (AGTA 1131)
    • Co-op and Career Preparation (COOP 1000)
    • Introduction to Soils, Agriculture and Horticulture (HTIS 2131)

    Co-op Work Term

    • Co-op Work Term 1 (AAGC 1000)

    Semester 3

    • Food Safety (AGFO 3131)
    • Process Operations for Artisan 1 (AGFS 3131)
    • Harvest and Post Harvest Methods and Systems (AGOH 3133)
    • General Education Elective (GNED 0000)
    • Greenhouse I (HTGS 4131)
    • Indigenous Elective (INDG 0000)

    Semester 4

    • Artisan Product Development (AGPD 4131)
    • Process Operations for Artisan II (AGPO 4131)
    • General Education Elective (GNED 0000)
    • Greenhouse II (HTGP 2131)
    • Entrepreneurship (HTHE 4131)
    • Integrated Pest Management (HTIP 4131)

    Courses and course descriptions are subject to change.

    Co-op administrative fee

    Once transferred to the co-op option of this program, students will have a co-op administrative fee of $475 assessed to their accounts during the academic semester(s) prior to scheduled work term(s). The administrative fee goes to support the broad array of support services provided to co-op students. These services are dedicated to support student success>

    Learn more

    Find more information about the benefits of becoming a co-op student.

    Find more information about the benefits of becoming a co-op employer.

    E: co-op@durhamcollege.ca

    Work Opportunities

    Each summer, a number of students are selected for paid work opportunities in the fields and grounds of the Weston Centre. This allows them to build on the learning from their first year and take part in legacy projects.

    Durham College's recently announced partnership with The Barrett Family Foundation will support the creation of a centre of excellence and a new urban farm in the Durham Region. The Barrett Centre of Innovation in Sustainable Urban Agriculture will become an internationally recognized hub of excellence in urban agriculture practices, research, education and training, creating a range of new opportunities for students.

     

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    Land Acknowledgement

    Durham College is situated on the traditional lands of the First Peoples of the Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation. These lands are covered under the Williams Treaties and rest within the traditional territory of the Anishinaabeg. We offer our gratitude to the Indigenous Peoples who care for and, through the treaty process, share the lands on which we live, learn, teach and prosper today.

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