Developed in partnership with industry, NBCC’s two-year Sustainable Agriculture (Optional Co-op) diploma program combines classroom instruction, hands-on learning, and applied training to prepare learners for meaningful careers while helping build a strong talent pipeline for one of the province’s most important industries.
Preparing Students for Modern Agriculture
Agriculture is the backbone of our food system and a key driver of New Brunswick’s economy. As the industry evolves to balance productivity with environmental responsibility, the demand continues to grow for professionals who can implement sustainable practices while improving efficiency and profitability.
Designed in collaboration with industry and sector stakeholders, NBCC’s Sustainable Agriculture (Optional Co-op) program equips learners with the knowledge, hands-on experience, and industry connections needed to succeed in a wide range of agricultural careers. Through a combination of classroom instruction, applied training, and experiential learning, students gain experience in areas such as crop and livestock production, farm management, emerging technologies, sustainability, and business operations, helping them develop the practical and technical skills employers are seeking.
“Industry collaboration has been central to the development of this program. By working closely with employers and sector partners, we’ve created a learning experience that reflects the realities of modern agriculture and equips graduates with the skills needed to contribute from day one,” said Blaine Tompkins, Academic Chair for NBCC’s Sustainable Agriculture (Optional Co-op) program.
Learning Through Industry Experience
A key feature of the program is its optional co-op, completed between the first and second year of study, allowing students to apply their learning in a real-world setting. Students gain practical experience and insight into potential career pathways, while employers have an opportunity to contribute directly to workforce development by mentoring emerging talent, sharing their expertise, and helping shape the next generation of agricultural professionals.
For employers, these partnerships offer more than just short-term support. Co-op placements provide access to motivated talent, fresh perspectives, and an opportunity to evaluate potential future employees.
The importance of building a strong provincial talent pipeline is well understood across the industry.
“I don’t know of many farmers who will tell you that skilled labour on farm is not an issue. There simply aren’t enough young people in agriculture in NB to support the demands of the industry. Whether it is on farm, with equipment dealers, extension specialists, crop advisors etc., there simply aren’t enough people with the know-how to help farmers navigate the increasingly complex agricultural landscape. The hope is that programs like that at NBCC will continuously inject new talent into the workforce, talent that stays and works in province, and supports our growers for years to come.”
– Craig MacEachern, Assistant Professor and Research Chair in Digital Agriculture at the University of New Brunswick.
“Through the development of the Agriculture Alliance of New Brunswick’s Digital Agriculture Strategy, it became clear that we needed to look at what the agronomist of the future was going to look like. That thinking helped shape the curriculum for NBCC’s Sustainable Agriculture program, including the integration of data management systems, AI learning, and mathematics alongside the physical sciences. The depth and breadth of what is being presented to students is pretty phenomenal.”
– Cedric MacLeod, President of MacLeod Agronomics and Owner of Local Valley Beef
Growing the Future Together
Building a strong agricultural workforce requires ongoing collaboration between educators, employers, and industry partners.
- Interested in learning more about the program? Visit NBCC’s Sustainable Agriculture program page to explore admission requirements, curriculum details, course descriptions, and more.
- Looking to help shape the next generation of agricultural professionals? Consider hosting an NBCC student. Additional details on experiential learning opportunities, including co-op placements, are available here. Industry partners can also contact NBCC’s Work Integrated Learning Administrator Dale Turcotte at turcotte@nbcc.ca for more information.
Together, we can help cultivate the talent that will support New Brunswick’s agriculture sector for years to come.