Nagara College, located in an agricultural area in Canada know for it’s wine production, will be the first college program to give a certificate in Cannabis production. Now don’t get to excited, because this school isn’t for everyone like the famed Oaksterdam University in Oakland. You have to already have a degree or diploma in agricultural sciences, horticulture, or a related field to even apply. Responding to the demand for skilled, trained workers that know not only plant pathology but also the strict regulatory requirements rolling out for the legal Canadian cannabis industry. Adding this course onto their two- year greenhouse tech program was a no brainer and students will leave the school with hands on experience. The program is approved by the Ontario Ministry of Advanced Education and Skills Development, it’s like being accredited in the US, it’s going to be a legit course.
I think this is awesome. Go Canada. I’ve been wondering when a real college in California was going to realize there is a huge market for information in this multi million dollar industry. According to their website, “There is a tremendous demand for knowledgeable, skilled workers in this highly technical industry,” said Roger Ferrreira, CEO of Beleave, Inc., in Hamilton, ON. “Niagara College having the vision to fill this knowledge gap is commendable.”
If you’ve tried to learn to grow your own, you know it isn’t as easy as one may think. There is a lot of science and technique going into it. The few books available now are the foundation of a crop science that is gaining legitimacy as farmers around the world have begun to understand the value of growing marijuana. Can you think of any other crop, any veggie or fruit bringing in $15 / gram retail. When you look at it that way you can imagine the financial loss if a whole batch goes bad. There is a lot on the line to make sure a grow is a success and these students will surely have no trouble getting a job post graduation.
Darcy Thompson
