Recommended for people with some farming or gardening experience, or people who graduated from the intro course. This course has a heavier focus on the grower’s quadrant, while level 1 offers more exposure to all 4 quadrants. Trainees who complete can have eligible apprenticeship hours recognized, if they want to pursue a horticulture ticket. There will be 1 day per week when trainees can work in community on a community garden or farm, if provided by the partner First Nation.

Program Length: 4-6 weeks on-site intensive, plus in-community time.

Program Outline: The following topics will be covered in this training, season-allowing.

• Site safety, how to run a safety meeting, and learn from near misses.

• Farm and crop planning, use of software to plan and manage harvests.

• Review of all competencies from Level 1

• Understanding crop families

• Comparing crop rotation to other methods

• Understanding soil health and cycles such as the Nitrogen cycle

• Planning interventions based on Weather forecast

• Diagnosing crop problems

• Caring for chickens

• Introduction to cattle and ranching

• Preparing product for sale to stores or farmer’s markets

• Taking product to market and selling

• Introduction to GAP requirements (to sell to large stores and institutions)

Requirements

• High physical fitness is required