The back-to-the land movement might have hit its peak in the 70s, but with increased interest in food and food security, more people are growing and buying food grown and raised without pesticides, antibiotics or hormones. While you could just till some land in your backyard (or, more likely in the city, in a community garden), becoming an organic farmer takes things to an exciting new, and potentially lucrative, level.
But just because you’ve grown enough tomatoes to keep you in sauce over the winter doesn’t mean you should quit your job and buy a few acres. For generations, people have been attending school to learn about farming techniques and related sciences. It takes more than a cow and a dream to make award-winning cheese.
WHERE TO STUDY
Durham College (Oshawa) Horticulture technician: $3,643/year. durhamcollege.ca
Fanshawe College (London) Horticulture technician: $1,979-2,450/year. fanshawec.ca
Fleming College (Peterborough) Sustainable agriculture: $3,495/year. flemingcollege.ca
Humber College (Toronto) Aboriculture, horticultural technician: $650/year urban arboriculture: $3,485/year (plus fees). humber.ca
University of Guelph (Guelph) Food science crop, horticulture and turfgrass sciences organic agriculture honours agricultural sciences: $3,535-$3,562/semester. uoguelph.ca