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Can agriculture feed the world’s growing population in a more sustainable manner? That’s the question many agri-food leaders are working on throughout the world, hoping to advance technology and science in hopes of transforming the way food is produced.
For example, AeroFarms is growing crops indoors using 95% less water, while John Deere’s AI-powered smart tractors optimise planting and harvesting. These advancements not only increase food production but also reduce the environmental impact of traditional farming practices. By combining cutting-edge technology with sustainable approaches, agriculture is showing promise of not only meeting our future food demands but doing it responsibly and improving life for generations to come.
One of the key institutions leading the charge in agricultural breakthroughs is the University of Guelph’s Ontario Agricultural College (OAC). For over 150 years, OAC has been a global leader in agricultural science, technology and business, working to address the world’s most pressing food challenges. Known as “Canada’s Food University,” OAC is ranked #1 in the nation for agricultural sciences and #2 in plant and animal sciences. The university’s longstanding commitment to research and development has helped shape the future of agriculture both in Canada and around the world.
At OAC, faculty and staff are working on some of the most critical issues in food production, agriculture, environmental resilience, and community development. Just as successful farming requires a combination of the right conditions, success in the agricultural sector depends on strategic progress and leadership. According to John Cranfield, acting dean of OAC, the college’s current priorities include “educating the next generation of leaders, advancing economic and environmental sustainability, and providing insights on technology and policy.”
OAC’s holistic approach to these challenges — combining research, education, and policy development — has positioned it as a global leader in sustainable agriculture.
One example of OAC’s impact can be seen in its research on soybean production. In the 1970s, farmers started growing soybeans at scale in Ontario. Today, more than three million acres of soybeans are in production in the province. This growth is largely due to the genetics research and discovery work carried out at the University of Guelph, which has helped adapt soybean genetic profiles to Ontario’s growing conditions.
Since its founding in 1874, the Ontario Agricultural College at the University of Guelph has been a global leader in developing future-focused solutions for feeding the world. Source: Ontario Agricultural College
Course-based master’s programmes shaping tomorrow’s sustainable agri-food leaders
To meet the demands of the agri-food sector, OAC has launched a series of course-based master’s programmes designed for recent graduates and professionals that want to advance their skills and gain professional experience. The programmes are shorter than a traditional research-based master’s programme, which requires a student to complete a thesis and integrate professional development support and work-integrated learning, ensuring students gain career experience and can network with future employers
One of the programmes central to this effort is the Master of Food, Agriculture, and Resource Economics (MFARE). It has a flexible curriculum, allowing students to tailor their studies to their specific interests. Core courses cover economic and quantitative analysis, while applied courses allow students to explore topics like agri-food sector policy or management analysis. Students can choose between completing an internship, a major research paper or working on a consultancy project with real-world clients, such as Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada or Indigenous communities. The programme, which typically takes four semesters to complete, prepares graduates to become leaders in sustainable agriculture, making a meaningful impact on the world’s food systems.
At Ontario Agricultural College, faculty and students address critical issues in food production, agriculture, environmental sustainability, and community development. Source: Ontario Agricultural College
Building on this foundation of excellence and leadership, OAC has introduced a new graduate programme — the Master of Sustainable Agriculture (MSAg). This on-campus, four-semester programme is the first of its kind and is designed for individuals with ambitions to transform the global food and agriculture landscape. Students learn the latest advancements and develop skills in sustainable agriculture, data analysis, and agri-tech developments. With a strong focus on practical coursework and no rigorous thesis requirement, the programme is accessible to a wide range of students passionate about environmental stewardship.
The MSAg programme offers three fields of specialisation: Plant Agriculture, Livestock Agriculture, and Environmental Sciences. Each specialisation covers a broad range of topics, from plant physiology and crop production systems to animal behaviour, soil science, and conservation. Whether a student chooses to focus on plants, livestock, or environmental sciences, they will gain valuable training in data analysis, agricultural economics, communication, and leadership, preparing them to drive innovation in their chosen field.
Another programme that drives advancements in sustainable farming is the Master of Plant Agriculture (MPAg). This course-based programme provides students with career-focused knowledge and expertise in plant breeding, crop production, and plant science. They can specialise in areas such as breeding and genetics, biochemistry and physiology, or crop production systems, allowing them to tailor their education to their career goals.
“Graduate students in my lab work on a wide range of things,” says Dr. Max Jones, Professor in the Department of Plant Agriculture. “Some are working on regeneration from single cells. Some are working on optimising conditions for medicinal plant production and others are working on conservation of endangered species.”
Upon completion, graduates can work for leadership positions in both the public and private sectors, helping drive advancements in plant agriculture.
Learn more about Ontario Agricultural College.
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