Loni Koch and Vicky Granberg are local pioneer students participating in the new Applied Sustainable Ranching (ASUR) program at Thompson Rivers University (TRU).
The program, which began in January, is a multi-layered program that puts students through a rigorous and enlightening learning experience in the world of sustainable ranching.
One half of the program is online technology courses, while the other half is gaining work experience on a ranch with a trained specialist.
“This is a great program for those who are interested in ranching as a career. It is really unique in its nature,” says Ag Centre Society member Rita Giesbrecht who is the 100 Mile House representative on the TRU Sustainable Ranching Industry Advisory Board.
TRU was awarded with a proclamation from the B.C. Liberal government in Victoria on May 17 for having started the program.
The two-year course teaches students about multiple assets of ranching, including beef production, winter feed production, tourism and environmental sustainability.
Koch and Granberg are working toward an Advanced Certificate in Applied Sustainable Ranching. When the first students graduate in June 2016, TRU hopes to have a diploma status for the program.
Granberg from Roe Lake says she has enjoyed what the program has offered in terms of the online technology and the additional economic lessons.
“I’ve been ranching most of my life, so it’s interesting using this new technology. We’ve also had some good speakers.
“It’s definitely challenging, but it’s been really interesting hearing and learning about the financial aspects of ranching.”
Granberg says she hopes to open a cow calf operation upon graduation, but she is also interested in smaller animals.
The hands-on learning aspect is what program director Gillian Watt says she appreciates the most about the program.
“There is no better way for learning than applying your studies on a daily and weekly schedule towards your future business enterprise.”
The program came about after a successful response to a series of field exercises TRU put on with the Quesnel, South Cariboo and Cariboo Cattlemen Associations. The exercises were so successful that a partnership was born and the ASUR program was created.
TRU is also working with Olds College in Alberta to further the education of ASUR students. In their third year, students will be able to transfer to Olds College and continue in the college’s agriculture business degree.
