Agricultural Botany
In this course, students will learn to apply many of the basic concepts of plant anatomy, morphology, classification and physiology in order to solve practical problems in crop production. Identification and classification of plants, including crops and weeds. Identification of the growth stages of plants, from seed through vegetative growth and flowering to harvest. Study of the physiological functions of plants including mineral nutrition, water relations, photosynthesis, respiration, reproduction and tropisms. Prediction of relationships between the physiology of plants, their needs and farming practices.
D. WEES
Pesticide Use
Pesticides are an integral part of today's agriculture. In order to ensure that they are used safely, farmers must have proper knowledge of the chemical properties and fate of these chemicals in the environment. Farmers must also be able to apply pesticides safely and effectively. This course offers the basic information and practice that should enable you to become better pesticide users. Students will learn to use pesticides safely and effectively from both human and environmental standpoints. They will learn about the extent of pesticide use, pesticide composition, classification and mode of action, pesticide effects on the biosphere, the need to associate pesticides with alternative methods of pest control through integrated pest management, and sprayer design, calibration and operation. This course also enables the students to obtain the Farmer’s Pesticide Use Certificate from the ministère de l’Environnement du Québec.
S. LUSSIER
Field Crop Production
At the end of this course, students will be expected to execute the tasks required in the production of field crops. Students will develop an understanding of the techniques involved as well as the impact of these techniques on crop-environment relationships and on environmental protection. This involves the planning and execution of the tasks to be done, an evaluation of the quality of the work and the preparation of an adequate crop production database. This course will use lectures and practical work with as much outside work as weather conditions will permit.
S. LUSSIER
Field Crop Management
At the end of this course, students will be expected to produce an environmentally-friendly cropping plan on a mixed crop and animal production farm. Students will develop an understanding of crop biology, crop production systems, crop-environment relationships, environmental protection, crop budgeting, on-farm research and marketing. Students will be able to integrate all aspects of field crop production into a coherent cropping plan. This includes the use of a decision-making process, planning of work to be done, a method for evaluating the results and the use of an efficient record-keeping system. Labs and interactive lectures will be used to achieve the goals of the course.
S. LUSSIER
Greenhouse Crops
The goals of this course are to learn how to plant, grow, harvest and store various greenhouse flowers and vegetables, how to plan the production of these crops and how to control the greenhouse environment. The course will cover the following: greenhouse structures, heating, cooling, lighting, hydroponics, fertilization, irrigation, pest and disease management, greenhouse flower production (potted flowers, cut flowers, bedding plants) and greenhouse vegetables (tomatoes, cucumbers, lettuces). Both organic and conventional farming methods are emphasized.
D. WEES
Fruit and Vegetable Crops
The goals of this course are to learn how to plant, grow, harvest and store various fruits and field vegetables and to learn how to plan the production these crops. Both organic and conventional farming methods are emphasized. The course will cover several of the following crops: Vegetables (cultivar selection, irrigation, physiology, pests and diseases, management, etc.): peppers, tomatoes, pumpkins, cabbages, broccolis, lettuces, onions, carrots, sweet corns, potatoes and other vegetables and herbs. Fruits (site selection, cultivars, physiology, pests and diseases, management, etc.): apples, strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, grapes and other fruits.
D. WEES
Landscape Design
Landscape Design is a complementary course intended to broaden your education. The students will learn how to produce an artistic creation, in this case a landscape design, using the basic elements (lines, forms, colours and textures), symbols and techniques of landscape design; you will take into consideration both the aesthetics and the functions of landscapes as well as landscape styles (rural vs. urban, formal vs. informal, etc.). The students will learn to analyze an existing landscape as well as incorporate new design elements including plants (trees, shrubs, lawns, flowers) and inert materials (walls, fences, paths, buildings, etc.).
D. WEES