Northern Gardening Certificate Module #1

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Introduction:

 

Northern communities, due to their isolation, have struggled with access to fresh fruit and vegetables. One solution was to produce their own product through gardening. This required training and the use of industry growing techniques to extend the season. The program is designed to help the communities tackle this issue and introduce a system to overcome the adversities of Northern fruit and vegetable production.

Grow tunnels and plastic mulch are used to extent the season. This simple technology enables the employees to enjoy the results of fast growth and minimal labor. Also producing crops that normally may not exist in theses climates. They reduce the risk associated with climatic weather in the north.  

 The Canadian fruit and vegetable industry has used theses techniques and now they are introduced into the north with great success.

Some communities lack the soil to sustain a viable garden. Hydroponic systems are a very good alternative to this challenge. The process has being developed and is working very well.

The goal is to transition into greenhouse production for long-term employment and year round fresh produce.

 

 

Course:  Northern Gardening Certificate

 

Curriculum Delivery: The program will be taught within the community with hands on working experience. I will be traveling to the northern community, delivering and teaching the program. I will be in the garden instructing and training the trainees. Some classroom instructing will take place, internet ordering, Excel, computer work etc.

 

  Northern Gardening

 

Suggested Time:  75 hrs       Level:  Operational

 

Module Overview: The purpose of this module is to train students to plant and maintain a market garden using high tech gardening techniques.

 

Module Objectives:

• To develop knowledge of planning a garden incorporating advanced industry developments. High tunnels and growing medium are a standard in the industry now, and students will be trained to use these techniques to increase production and extent the growing season. Growing in the north requires these advances to ensure the production is secure. Education in this technology will lead to successful long-term employment by extending the growing season.

• Learning to select proper plant varieties for the northern environment and self-sufficiency of the food supply for northern residences.

• Trainees will learn the aspects of developing a long-term vision for a sustainable fruit orchard.

 

 

Learning Objectives:

Students will be trained to initiate the planting and operation of a market garden in the north. This will require training on seed ordering, hydroponics and structures, soil preparations and fertilization, transplanting, temperature control and disease management as they relate to standards and expectations of the fruit and vegetable industry.

Students are instructed on how to maintain and work a food safety program: CanadaGAP.

To develop a market garden that produces high quality fruits and vegetables.

 

  Continual Practice Garden Maintenance and Production

 

Suggested Time:  25 hrs        Level:  Introductory

 

Module Overview: The purpose of this module is to train students to be responsible for a work place that is in continual operation for expansion.

  

Module Objectives:

• To develop basic knowledge and responsibilities that will lead to successful employment in the northern market garden industry in these northern regions.

• To create an awareness and the importance of maintaining the standards that a Market garden requires. Without these responsibilities the operation will be deemed unsuccessful. 

 

 

Common Essential Learning  Foundational Objectives:

• To demonstrate positive human relations and professional ethics. 

• Developing an understanding of how knowledge is created, evaluated, refined, and changed within the market garden industry.

 

 Learning Objectives:

Students will be trained in the continuity of maintaining standards and following regulations for the industry. Food security is essential. Students will be trained to maintain and use high tech growing equipment (grow tunnels, plastic mulch, drip irrigation, hydroponics etc.) Personnel hygiene, time management, computer skills, grading, processing, packing, storage, sanitation are all-essential knowledge required for the operation to succeed. Employees have to be trained in the importance of time management. Math skills and Excel spread sheets are a large part of the industry; students will be trained to use these basic skills.    

 

 

  Components of Consumer Requirements & Documentations

 

Suggested Time:  25 hrs        Level:  Introductory

 

Module Overview: The purpose of this module is to introduce students to the market place and product quality.

 

Module Objectives:

• To develop basic knowledge of quality management that may lead to successful long-term employment in the market garden industry.

• To teach trainees the importance of the consumer demand for their skills and products.

 

Common Essential Learning Foundational Objectives:

 

• The importance of maintaining quality products for consumers

• The importance of their skills in a developing northern industry

 

 

Learning Objectives:

 

Students will be trained to recognize product quality and consumer demand. Quality products are vital in the produce industry. Setting standards and goals will be taught to maintain the life of the garden operation. Without these aspects the business will struggle and fail. Students will be trained in communications, problem solving and over coming barriers working in the north. Students will be trained to conform to standards and production levels associated with market garden production set out by customers. Take pride in their work and product. Setting up a successful market place.

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Evaluations:

 

Students will be evaluated on the results of the garden production. Daily records will be kept to regulate the yield and progress of the operation and consumer feed back.

 

All of these qualities will be assessed for future employment.

 

Murray Gray developed this program.