University of Saskatchewan students will be offered a one-of-a-kind degree program in agriculture and entrepreneurship this fall.
The program, which includes a minor in agricultural entrepreneurship, was created following a $1 million contribution from CIBC June 21.
Similar courses are being developed in the university’s faculties of commerce and engineering, but the agricultural entrepreneurship program is believed to be the only one of its kind in a North American agricultural college, said Tom Allen, an agricultural economics professor at the U of S.
Allen will help develop the new programs, which will include graduate studies in future years.
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The six required courses will focus on the commercialization of scientific research, economic development and agribusiness opportunities, with the goal of creating agriculturally based entrepreneurs.
Aboriginal students will be offered $10,000 in scholarships in an effort to increase their numbers from the 40 now enrolled in college of agriculture programs. Another $10,000 will be used for outreach activities that encourage First Nations’ economic and agribusiness development.
Allen said entrepreneurship goes hand in hand with the creation of value-added industries and economic growth in Saskatchewan. He said the courses will help graduates launch their own businesses.
This fall, students will be offered an introductory course in entrepreneurship. The classes will examine business planning and market research and work with those in the community producing value-products and services.
“It’s not something you’re going to learn in the classroom,” Allen said.
“You have to get out in the community and interact with those successful entrepreneurs and bankers.”
Wilson Acton, president of the Agricultural Students Association, said the courses represent the future of agriculture.
“People are heading into business, not going back to the farm.”
Acton said agricultural graduates are taking jobs marketing grain and cattle or buying into fuel and fertilizer dealerships. The new program will help them be innovative and get their businesses off the ground, he added.
