Fundamentals of Sustainable Agriculture
Overview
The future of agriculture depends on professionals who can use technology, data, and sustainable practices to improve productivity while reducing environmental impacts.
Fundamentals of Sustainable Agriculture is a specialized online professional development course focused on the use of precision agriculture technologies to measure, understand, and reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from agricultural activities.
Developed by Dr. Aitazaz Farooque, Associate Dean of the UPEI School of Climate Change and Adaptation, and administered by the Office of Continuing Education and Professional Development (OCEPD) at UPEI, this course provides participants with practical knowledge in one of the most important areas shaping the future of agriculture.
This enhanced course provides approximately 10 hours of flexible, self-paced online training designed for agriculture, sustainability, and climate-focused professionals in Canada and around the world.
Participants will explore how emerging technologies, data collection, and sustainable practices can help improve decision-making, increase efficiency, support climate-smart agriculture, and strengthen long-term sustainability across the global agriculture sector.
Why Take This Course?
As governments, producers, and organizations increase their focus on climate-smart agriculture, professionals with knowledge of precision technologies and emissions management will be increasingly valuable across the agriculture sector.
Fundamentals of Sustainable Agriculture provides specialized training in one of the fastest-growing areas of modern agriculture: using data and precision technologies to improve production while reducing environmental impacts.
Through this course, participants will:
- Build knowledge in precision agriculture and climate-smart farming practices
- Understand how agricultural activities contribute to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions
- Learn how advanced technologies can collect and interpret agricultural data
- Explore practical strategies to reduce emissions and improve sustainability
- Gain insight into carbon offsets, carbon credits, and emerging opportunities in sustainable agriculture
- Strengthen professional skills in an area increasingly important to producers, governments, researchers, and the global agriculture industry
Whether you are working directly in agriculture, supporting producers, developing policy, developing new technologies, or researching future solutions, this course provides practical knowledge to help address some of the most important challenges facing agriculture today.
Who Should Take This Course?
This course is designed for professionals and organizations involved in agriculture, environmental sustainability, innovation, and climate adaptation, including:
- Farmers, producers, and agricultural organizations
- Agronomists, crop advisors, and consultants
- Government and policy professionals
- Researchers, educators, and students
- Sustainability and environmental professionals
- Agriculture technology professionals
What You Will Learn
Through applied examples and case studies, participants will explore:
- Precision agriculture technologies, including key components and applications
- How precision agriculture supports sustainable farming practices
- Managing soil and crop variability to improve productivity and sustainability
- Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and major emission sources in agriculture
- Methods used to measure and quantify agricultural GHG emissions
- LiCor technology and its role in capturing GHG emission data
- Soil and crop gas exchange processes and factors that influence emission levels
- Sustainable best management practices to reduce GHG emissions from agricultural production
- Carbon offsets and carbon credits from an agricultural perspective
- Real-world examples and case studies related to sustainable agriculture practices
Course Information
Delivery: Online, self-paced
Duration: Approximately 10 hours
Complete the course on your own schedule from anywhere in the world.
After registration, participants will receive course access instructions by email. A Letter of Completion will be provided after successfully completing the course requirements.
Cost
The cost of Fundamentals of Sustainable Agriculture is $249 + HST, which includes full course access and a UPEI Letter of Completion upon successful completion.
PEI Federation of Agriculture Bursary
Originally developed with funding support from the PEI Federation of Agriculture (PEIFA), this course continues to support professional development opportunities in sustainable agriculture.
Eligible PEI agronomists may apply to PEIFA for a course bursary. Funding may be available after successful completion of the course and submission of the Letter of Completion. This bursary is supported through the On-Farm Climate Action Fund Program.
For bursary eligibility and details, contact:
rkhan@peifa.ca
mmoynagh@peifa.ca
Questions?
For questions about registration or course access, contact the UPEI Office of Continuing Education and Professional Development (OCEPD) by email at pdp@upei.ca.
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