Begg, Caroline

Academic title(s): 

Faculty Lecturer;

Director of Stage, Farm Management and Technology Program

Begg, Caroline
Contact Information
Email address: 
caroline.begg [at] mcgill.ca
Phone: 
514-398-8749
Address: 

Raymond Building R2-028A 

Quote: 

Plants, soils and microbes are essential components of our agriculture and food systems. I am passionate about incorporating a system's approach into understanding how we can have healthier soils, plants and animals. We need to make our agriculture resilient in the face of ongoing climate change. I am committed to working with students to achieve these goals.

Research areas: 
Extension and community engagement
Biography: 

Caroline Begg, agr., P. Ag., Ph.D., is a faculty lecturer in the Department of Plant Science and Director of Internship (Farm Management and Technology). She is co-director of McGill's Barbados Interdisciplinary Tropics Studies Program and the coordinator and advisor for the specialization, minor and certificate in ecological agriculture. Her main interests are in ecological agriculture and sustainable agri-food systems. In the past, she has worked in the field of sustainable agriculture in Tanzania and the Philippines. Currently, she conducts research on food security on the island of Montreal and on ecological agriculture practices focusing on soil and crop management.

At McGill, Caroline teaches courses both at the degree and the college level and supervises 5 to 8 undergraduate projects, including Honours theses, per year. She is the mentor to the Macdonald Student-Run Ecological Garden. In addition, Caroline is president of Marché Ste Anne, a farmers market located in Ste-Anne-de-Bellevue, cofounder and vice president of École-O-Champ, an agricultural education organization which is the official representative of Agriculture in the Classroom Canada in Quebec, and president of the Neighbourhood Farm Schools Association in British Columbia, founded by a former student. She serves on the Board of Corbeille de Pain, a food security organization in the West Island and as an industry advisor to board of 4H Québec.

She is an Associate Member of the Bieler School of Environment and a member of l'Ordre des Agronomes du Québec and Professional Agrologists Ontario.

Degree(s): 
  • Ph.D. (McGill)
  • M.Sc. Soils (University of Saskatchewan)
  • B.Sc. Agr. (McGill)
Awards, honours, and fellowships: 
  • 2022-2023: McGill Sustainability Faculty Education Fellow
  • 2019: Award of Excellence, Honourable Mention- Outstanding Post-Secondary Educator, Canadian Network for Environmental Education and Communication
  • 2016: Principal’s Prize for Excellence in Teaching (McGill University)
  • 2016: Macdonald Campus Award for Teaching Excellence (McGill Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences)
  • 2013: McGill Faculty Award for Excellence in Alumni Activities
  • 2012: McGill Office of Sustainability Award for Staff Contribution to Sustainability
Areas of interest: 

Dr. Begg's research interests include soil health and the interactions between soils, microbes and plants in order to have resilient and sustainable agriculture.

Current research: 

Dr. Begg is currently examining soil health parameters from about 20 farms in southern Québec.

Courses: 

Plant Science

AGRI 215. Agro-Ecosystems Field Course.

Note: For information about Fall 2025 and Winter 2026 course offerings, please check back on May 8, 2025. Until then, the "Terms offered" field will appear blank for most courses while the class schedule is being finalized.

Credits: 3
Offered by: Plant Science (Faculty of Agric Environ Sci)
Terms Offered: Fall 2025
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Description

Through case studies and field trips, students will examine the problems and constraints within the Canadian agro-ecosystem, including the interrelationships among food production, the environment, agricultural policy and social issues. Research in this field of study will also be introduced.
  • This course carries an additional charge of $29.98 to cover the cost of transportation (bus rental) for local field trips to agricultural enterprises. The fee is refundable only during the withdrawal with full refund period
  • This course carries an additional charge of $65.29 to cover the cost of transportation (bus rental) for local field trips to agricultural enterprises. The fee is refundable only during the withdrawal with full refund period.

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AGRI 310. Internship in Agriculture/Environment.

Note: For information about Fall 2025 and Winter 2026 course offerings, please check back on May 8, 2025. Until then, the "Terms offered" field will appear blank for most courses while the class schedule is being finalized.

Credits: 3
Offered by: Plant Science (Faculty of Agric Environ Sci)
Terms Offered: Summer 2025, Fall 2025, Winter 2026
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Description

Internship on working farms or in other appropriate businesses of the agri-food/environment industries.
  • Restriction: Not open to students who have taken AGRI 201D1/D2.
  • Restriction: Not open to students who have taken AGRI 201D1/D2.

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AGRI 340. Principles of Ecological Agriculture.

Note: For information about Fall 2025 and Winter 2026 course offerings, please check back on May 8, 2025. Until then, the "Terms offered" field will appear blank for most courses while the class schedule is being finalized.

Credits: 3
Offered by: Plant Science (Faculty of Agric Environ Sci)
Terms Offered: Winter 2026
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Description

Focus on low-input, sustainable, and organic agriculture: the farm as an ecosystem; complex system theory; practical examples of soil management, pest control, integrated crop and livestock production, and marketing systems.
  • Restriction: Not open to students who have taken AGRI 250
  • .

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PLNT 434. Weed Biology and Control.

Note: For information about Fall 2025 and Winter 2026 course offerings, please check back on May 8, 2025. Until then, the "Terms offered" field will appear blank for most courses while the class schedule is being finalized.

Credits: 3
Offered by: Plant Science (Faculty of Agric Environ Sci)
Terms Offered: Winter 2026
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Description

A study of the biology of undesirable vegetation as related to the principles of prevention and physical, biological, managerial and chemical control. Emphasis on the environmental impact of the different methods of weed control.
  • Prerequisite: PLNT 201 or AEBI 210
  • Prerequisite: PLNT 200 or AEBI 210

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AEBI 427. Barbados Interdisciplinary Project.

Note: For information about Fall 2025 and Winter 2026 course offerings, please check back on May 8, 2025. Until then, the "Terms offered" field will appear blank for most courses while the class schedule is being finalized.

Credits: 6
Offered by: Plant Science (Faculty of Agric Environ Sci)
Terms Offered: Summer 2025
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Description

The planning of projects and research activities related to tropical food, nutrition, or energy at the local, regional, or national scale in Barbados. Projects and activities designed in consultation with university instructors, government, NGO, or private partners, and prepared by teams of 2-3 students working cooperatively with these mentors.
  • Corequisite(s): AEBI 421, AEBI 423 and AEBI 425
  • Restriction(s): Restricted to students that are participating in the Barbados Interdisciplinary Tropical Studies Field Semester
  • **Since this course is being taught abroad, the Victoria Day statutory holiday will not be taken into consideration. Therefore, students are expected to attend their lecture on Monday, May 18, 2020.
  • **Due to the intensive nature of this course, the standard add/drop and withdrawal deadlines do not apply. Add/drop is the third lecture day and withdrawal is the sixth lecture day.
  • Project course AEBI 427 runs concurrently with the other courses (AEBI 421, AEBI 423 & AEBI 425) and the Mondays of each week are dedicated to AEBI 427.

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Farm Management and Technology program

FMT4 001. Fall Stage (152-VSA-MC).

Note: For information about Fall 2025 and Winter 2026 course offerings, please check back on May 8, 2025. Until then, the "Terms offered" field will appear blank for most courses while the class schedule is being finalized.

Credits: 1.33
Offered by: Farm Mgmt & Technology Program (Faculty of Agric Environ Sci)
Terms Offered: Fall 2025
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Description

Objectives are to familiarize students with the workplace functions of a farm manager as well as the conditions under which they are exercised. Through classroom activities and a one-week internship on an agricultural enterprise other than the home farm or business, students are exposed to the job of a farm manager and the potential for entrepreneurial initiatives.

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FMT4 010. Winter Stage (152-VSK-MC).

Note: For information about Fall 2025 and Winter 2026 course offerings, please check back on May 8, 2025. Until then, the "Terms offered" field will appear blank for most courses while the class schedule is being finalized.

Credits: 1.33
Offered by: Farm Mgmt & Technology Program (Faculty of Agric Environ Sci)
Terms Offered: Winter 2026
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Description

Objectives are to develop the skills needed to analyze the operations; to determine the performance criteria that are related to the workplace functions of the farm manager and establish the relationships with the critical skills and knowledge required for their successful completion. Classroom activities and a one-week internship on an agricultural enterprise other than the home farm or business, expose the students to operations that are normally undertaken by farm managers during the winter months.

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FMT4 009. Soil Fertility (152-VSJ-MC).

Note: For information about Fall 2025 and Winter 2026 course offerings, please check back on May 8, 2025. Until then, the "Terms offered" field will appear blank for most courses while the class schedule is being finalized.

Credits: 2
Offered by: Farm Mgmt & Technology Program (Faculty of Agric Environ Sci)
Terms Offered: Winter 2026
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Description

Objectives are the interpretation of soil fertilization practices and amendments for crop production, in relation to the physical, chemical and biological characteristics of soils. Topics discussed include soil sampling, soil test reports, soil pH and liming, nutrient management and environmental concerns, sources of nutrients, microbe-soil and soil-plant interactions.

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FMT4 013. Agricultural Internship (152-VSN-MC).

Note: For information about Fall 2025 and Winter 2026 course offerings, please check back on May 8, 2025. Until then, the "Terms offered" field will appear blank for most courses while the class schedule is being finalized.

Credits: 2
Offered by: Farm Mgmt & Technology Program (Faculty of Agric Environ Sci)
This course is not offered this catalogue year.

Description

During a 13-week summer internship on an agricultural enterprise other than the home farm or business, students analyze the tasks and management operations that are a function of the agricultural enterprise manager and determine the performance criteria used for each operation. Students, by working, completing the tasks and asking questions, establish the relationships between the critical skills and knowledge required for successful execution of the various tasks and the position of each task within the overall management of the enterprise.

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FMT4 017. Agricultural Systems (152-VST-MC).

Note: For information about Fall 2025 and Winter 2026 course offerings, please check back on May 8, 2025. Until then, the "Terms offered" field will appear blank for most courses while the class schedule is being finalized.

Credits: 1.33
Offered by: Farm Mgmt & Technology Program (Faculty of Agric Environ Sci)
Terms Offered: Winter 2026
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Description

An overview of the scientific, political, social and cultural aspects of agriculture and food. Topics discussed include agricultural sustainability, local food, food security, urban agriculture, permaculture, biodynamic and organic agriculture. Emphasis is on Canadian issues and perspectives.

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FMT4 018. Enterprise Management 1 (152-VSU-MC).

Note: For information about Fall 2025 and Winter 2026 course offerings, please check back on May 8, 2025. Until then, the "Terms offered" field will appear blank for most courses while the class schedule is being finalized.

Credits: 2.33
Offered by: Farm Mgmt & Technology Program (Faculty of Agric Environ Sci)
This course is not offered this catalogue year.

Description

Objectives are to develop students’ ability to analyze the management practices, human resources, business operations, and the future potential for entrepreneurial initiatives, of the home agricultural enterprise or another agricultural enterprise during the 13-week summer internship.

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FMT4 019. Nutrient Management Plan (152-VSV-MC).

Note: For information about Fall 2025 and Winter 2026 course offerings, please check back on May 8, 2025. Until then, the "Terms offered" field will appear blank for most courses while the class schedule is being finalized.

Credits: 2
Offered by: Farm Mgmt & Technology Program (Faculty of Agric Environ Sci)
Terms Offered: Fall 2025
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Description

Objectives are to familiarize students with the environmental laws and regulations that oversee the development of a Nutrient Management Plan. Collect pertinent data for the realization of their own five year nutrient management plan, along with the nutrient management strategies selected to reduce the environmental impact of the agricultural activities of the farm.

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