SU 201 - Industry Practicum

Second Year Agricultural Sustainability students are placed in approved agricultural related organization with a focus on sustainability in the industry for a three-week period immediately after the successful completion of their first-year studies. They gain practical experience and skills in a working environment; and are able to grow their network and knowledge of jobs in the field. This on-site experience is followed up with 1 hour/week tutorial in the fall college academic term.

Rationale:

This is a course option to SU 202 (Student Land Sustainability Planning) in the Agricultural Sustainability program. It allows students to apply theoretical knowledge and practical skills in real life situations. The opportunity to work closely with technicians, producers, counties, and management of these agricultural organizations gives valuable experience and insight into jobs in agricultural sustainability.

Prerequisites: All first year Agricultural Sustainability courses
Corequisites: None

Course Learning Outcomes:
Upon successful completion of this course students will be able to

1. Increase knowledge, skills and understanding of sustainable agriculture practices through hands on experiences.
2. Engage in daily operations and networking opportunities to build connections and gain insight into potential career paths in sustainable agriculture.
3. Contribute to sustainable agriculture initiatives through the use of available data and metrics to measure and improve sustainability.
4. Demonstrate personal growth, resiliency and reflective practice while developing specific goals and objectives in conjunction with student, practicum coordinator and placement host.
5. Communicate the benefits of sustainable agriculture practices to stakeholders, including producers, policymakers, and the public.

1. Students must complete a minimum of 120 hours at the practicum location.
2. Students work on mutually agreeable schedule with their practicum location.
3. Students adhere to dress code and safety protocol of the chosen practicum location.
4. Students/employers are required to arrange between themselves all terms of the student’s employment including compensation, hours of work, insurance, WCB, etc.
5. Students follow up with 1 hour/week during the fall college academic term in tutorials.

Classroom and laboratory attendance is considered vital to the learning process and as significant to the students’ evaluation as examinations and reports.

1. Students having a combination of excused and/or unexcused absence of 20 percent or higher for the scheduled course hours are required to withdraw and automatically receive a “RW” (required withdrawal) for the course, regardless of any other evaluation results. (RW is a failing grade.)
2. An excused absence is one that is verified with your instructor. Verification should be prior to the absence or the next class day following the absence. Verification of the absence may take the form of a note from your doctor/College nurse regarding illness, or a note from another instructor regarding a field trip or other activity, or authorization by your instructor. An unexcused absence is anything NOT verified by the instructor prior to the absence or the next class day following the absence.

It is the students’ responsibility to know their own absentee record.

Normal hours are 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., with potential for evening courses, exams, or extended field trips. Students are expected to be available for classes during these times.

Content of Course:
None

Course Assessments:

Successful completion of this course requires a mandatory pass in the completion of Course Learning Outcomes 1-5 as evaluated by the Practicum coordinator in consultation with the supervising individual at the practicum placement. In addition, the student must meet a satisfactory grade in the preparation and delivery of a presentation to their peers and instructors, detailing their practicum. Expectations and a grading rubric will be made available to them prior to that presentation.

Course Pass Requirements:
Successful completion of this course requires a mandatory pass in the completion of Course Learning Outcomes 1-5 as evaluated by the Practicum coordinator in consultation with the supervising individual at the practicum placement.