Associate Diploma in Agriculture | Ridgetown Campus
Why choose a 2-year Associate Diploma in Agriculture?
As the agriculture industry evolves, so does the need for skilled professionals to ensure sustainable food production. At Ridgetown Campus, our two-year associate diploma program offers hands-on learning in agricultural production.
Interested in crops, animals, business and environmental sustainability? This skills-oriented program combines practical experience in agricultural production with technical and scientific information.
4 areas of focus.
Customize your studies with electives by specializing in crops, livestock, business, or resource management, or by mixing and matching courses to gain a broad range of skills across all areas. For a list of all courses and the curriculum layout, please refer to the Associate Diploma Calendar.
Co-op option.
Complete one paid summer work term to build your professional network. Receive support, including a preparatory course and guidance from a Co-op Coordinator. Learn more about co-op at Ridgetown campus.
Unique on-campus amenities.
Ridgetown Campus is located on a 450 acre Agricultural Research Station providing access to experiential learning grounds with a fully operational farm, including research plots and 4 teaching barns that house our dairy, beef, sheep, swine and equine.
What people are saying about the Associate Diploma in Agriculture program?
"At Ridgetown, we had a mix of classroom learning and hands-on lab work in the field. I liked this setup because it wasn’t just about learning theory; we actually worked with crops and animals, which made the technical side of things clearer and more relevant."
"Ridgetown Campus was instrumental in preparing me for my career. Through hands-on experiences in courses like weed science, vegetable production and insect disease management, I am now in my chosen field as an Agriculture Field Technician."
Benefits of having an Associate Diploma in Agriculture
- 97% employment rate within 6 months post-graduation
- After gaining experience from leading experts and industry professionals, graduates launch careers in farm and resource management, primary production, agri-sales, crop advisors and more.
- Prepare for key industry certifications
- Our program provides a solid foundation for preparing for essential industry certifications, including the Certified Crop Adviser, Pesticide Applicator Certification, Farm Safety and Equipment Operation Certification and Nutrient Management Certification.
- Transfer Pathway: Diploma to BSc. Agriculture Degree
- Graduates of this program can be given multiple course credits toward the Bachelor of Science in Agriculture program at the University of Guelph, reducing your bachelor's program by 1 to 2 years. Learn more about transfer pathways.
Are you ready to improve life?
Discover Ridgetown
The Ridgetown Campus is part of U of Guelph's Ontario Agricultural College. We are leaders in applied agricultural, animal science, and environmental research, and in life-long learning initiatives that are practical and relevant to society.