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Canada is transitioning to a cleaner, more diversified and prosperous economy. By 2050, it aims to have net-zero emissions. All industries are innovating towards this outcome, and that includes the agriculture and agri-food sector.
With approximately 10% of Canada’s greenhouse gas emissions from crops and livestock, there’s a need to move from traditional methods to smart machines. Experts with skills in data analysis, communications, and sustainability leadership are just as critical in this key industry.
That is where the University of Guelph’s Ontario Agricultural College (OAC) comes in. Established in 1874, U of G’s OAC is Canada’s leader in food and agricultural innovation and research, also known as “Canada’s Food University.” The University of Guelph is ranked 79th in the world in Times Higher Education’s Impact Rankings 2023, which assesses universities against the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The MSAg will address the demand for more sustainable agricultural experts. Source: University of Guelph
At OAC, faculty and staff are working towards solving today’s most pressing challenges in food, agriculture, communities and the environment. As one of the top colleges of its kind in the world, it has the talent and resources to do so. Here, you can find leading experts in a wide range of disciplines, all working together to combat global challenges in agriculture and food. OAC has expertise in agricultural economics, animal science, food science and safety, plant agriculture, rural planning, landscape architecture and environmental science and more. They offer a wide range of programmes in many formats, general or specialised, course-based or research-based, degree or diploma, full-time or part-time.
OAC’s latest addition is the Master of Sustainable Agriculture (MSAg), the first of its kind. This on-campus, four-semester, 16-month programme is for individuals with ambitions to change the global food and agriculture landscape. The MSAg aims to equip students with the latest advancements and skills in sustainable agriculture, data analysis and agri-tech innovations through graduate-level coursework with no rigorous thesis or research required.
“It’s clear that consumers of our industry are demanding that more sustainable production practices be developed and implemented,” says Nevin McDougall, managing partner of RHA Ventures Inc. “This new programme will help develop future professionals with the skills necessary to address this opportunity.”
With its first intake set in May 2025, first semester students will start at U of G’s Ridgetown Campus in rural Ontario — a great location to get used to living and learning in Canada. In the second and third semesters, students will be based at the main campus in Guelph in their second and third semesters before completing the programme by interning at a recognised agri-food organisation of their choice.
At every stage of their MSAg journey, they’ll be part of a welcoming and inclusive community. Support is wide-ranging, from pre-arrival information to one-on-one confidential advising. In their first MSAg semester, students live in residence with fellow classmates from around the world. There are over 2,000 international students representing more than 130 countries, each bringing unique insights to enrich your education and experience at the University of Guelph.
A great master’s programme to enhance your expertise and skills
The MSAg has four required courses — Seminar in Sustainable Agriculture, Practices and Processes in Sustainable Agriculture, Professional Development in Agriculture, Environment, Food & Communities, Internship in Agriculture, Environment, Food & Communities – plus a course in either statistics or big data analysis. Students must also take an elective course in social science from the Department of Plant Agriculture, the Department of Animal Biosciences, and the School of Environmental Sciences.
The MSAg will address the demand for more sustainable agricultural experts. Source: University of Guelph
The MSAg offers three academic fields to specialise in: Plant Agriculture, Livestock Agriculture and Environmental Sciences. Plant Agriculture explores topics regarding physiology, biogeochemistry, breeding and genetics, and crop production systems in greenery. Livestock Agriculture covers everything you need to know about animal behaviour and welfare, breeding and genetics, physiology, nutrition, and digital animal analytics. Environmental Sciences focuses on soil sciences, agro-meteorology, controlled environments, integrated pest management, pollinator biology, and conservation. Whichever field you choose to specialise in, you will gain the training and tools in data analysis, agricultural economics, communication, and leadership.
At this university ranked #1 in Canada for Agricultural Science, learning is hands-on and industry-driven. Coursework is a blend of skill-based learning and applied, project-based courses, with your professional development needs and career aspirations always considered. Connections with the Canadian agricultural sector are part of the programme as well, through industry-focused internships and field trips to agricultural operations.
“OAC’s strong focus on experiential learning and partnerships with agricultural organisations provide students with real-world, career-focused experiences,” says OAC acting dean John Cranfield. “Students will have many opportunities to connect with potential employers in the agricultural sector, acting as a launching pad for their career.”
Career opportunities for MSAg graduates are vast. From agronomy to horticulture, sustainability consulting to farmland preservation, there is a wide array of fields and roles that they can tap into, especially with OAC’s strong connections within agriculture and agri-food sector.
To request more information and apply with OAC, please follow the link here.
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