Ag Basics for Business is a self-paced online course designed to help professionals outside the agriculture industry understand the people, systems, and decisions that shape Canadian agri-food. Through short video lessons, real-world examples, and interactive quizzes, you’ll gain practical insight into how farming works on the Prairies, from crop production and livestock management to sustainability, policy, and risk management.
Developed following Saskatchewan accreditation standards for quality and reviewed by industry experts, the course delivers credible, relevant learning you can trust. You’ll explore how government programs, market forces, and innovation influence the sector, and what that means for your clients and organization.
Ag Basics for Business is organized into six lessons that build a complete understanding of Canada’s agricultural sector, from how Prairie farms operate to how innovation, policy, and culture shape the way business is done. Each lesson combines short video lectures, real examples, and practical applications to help professionals outside the agriculture industry connect their work to this vital sector.
By the end of this course, you will:
Explore how geography, climate, and soil define Prairie agriculture. Learn what crops and livestock dominate the landscape, how producers choose what to grow, and how the region’s unique environment drives both challenges and opportunity.
Gain insight into how farmers plan, plant, and harvest throughout the year. Learn how they select crop rotations, purchase inputs, and manage timing, and discover how understanding these cycles can help professionals build stronger relationships and serve clients effectively.
See how data, automation, and digital tools are transforming the way food is produced. Explore how technology supports sustainability, efficiency, and profitability, and learn how non-ag professionals can identify business opportunities that support innovation in agriculture.
Understand how agricultural policy frameworks like the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (SCAP) guide priorities across Canada. Learn about regulations, environmental programs, and Business Risk Management tools that help producers manage uncertainty, and how businesses can align their services to support these needs.
Examine how farmers think like entrepreneurs, balancing risk, capital, and long-term planning. Learn how diversification, value-added processing, and market access strengthen competitiveness, and how innovation and partnerships drive sustainable growth across the agri-food value chain.
Discover the human side of agriculture, the values, relationships, and traditions that make it more than an industry. Understand how family, community, and stewardship shape decision-making, and how professionals who respect this culture can build authentic, lasting partnerships.