Agriculture SHSM
Explore how you can set goals and reflect on your experiences in the OYAP or Agriculture SHSM to not only earn your specialized diploma but also achieve the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award Canada at the same time!
How you can link your SHSM experiences with Award Canada:
Agriculture certifications, environmental and sustainability training, greenhouse or farming projects, food systems activities, and agriculture industry placements.
Example SMART Goal: Over the next 13 weeks, I will dedicate one hour a week to developing my skills in crop management through SHSM experiences, focusing on sustainable farming practices.
Example Assessor: SHSM Lead
Example log for ORB: Practiced crop rotation techniques on a local farm, learned the importance of soil health and water management.
Outdoor agricultural work such as planting, harvesting, greenhouse tasks, animal care, and maintaining crops or land through physically active, hands-on activities.
Example SMART Goal: For 13 weeks, I will enhance my physical endurance by spending one hour a week engaging in physically demanding tasks such as harvesting, equipment maintenance, and livestock care during my SHSM placements.
Example Assessor: SHSM Lead Instructor or Placement Supervisor.
Example log for ORB: Participated in harvesting and equipment maintenance, building stamina and strength while working with farm machinery.
Volunteering through community gardens, local farms, food banks, or environmental initiatives that support food security, sustainability, and community access to fresh, healthy food.
Example SMART Goal: I will volunteer one hour weekly assisting with farm operations at a local community farm, contributing to the sustainability of food production in my community.
Example Assessor: Community Farm Supervisor
Example log for ORB: Helped maintain the community farm, assisting with planting and irrigation setup for the growing season. Planted some carrots today.
(Completed as a team over 2 days and 1 night. Your team will plan, do, and review the journey together—learning through teamwork, challenge, and reflection.)
General Activity Description:
An agricultural exploration where your team travels on foot through farms or natural areas, observing different agricultural practices and engaging with local farmers or environmental stewards. You’ll learn about food production, sustainability, and land use, and reflect on the role agriculture plays in your community and everyday life.
As a team, we’ll complete a 2-day journey visiting at least two farms or agricultural spaces. We’ll observe different farming practices, ask questions to farmers or staff about food production and sustainability, document what we learn, and reflect together on how we worked as a team to plan and carry out the journey.
Example Assessor or Supervisor: SHSM Lead or Skilled Tradesperson
Exploring farms and learning about food production helped us realize how much planning and teamwork goes into agriculture. We improved at asking thoughtful questions and sharing roles like navigation and note-taking. Next time, we’d plan our route more carefully and prepare questions in advance to make the most of each visit.
Career Pathways
- Agricultural service contractors, farm supervisors, and specialized livestock workers 8252
- Arborists 2225
- Contractors and supervisors, machining, metal forming, shaping and erecting trades, and related occupations 7201
- Heavy-duty equipment mechanics 7312
- Pet groomers and animal care workers 6563
- Storekeepers and parts persons 1522
- Agricultural equipment and supplies technical salespersons 6221
- Agricultural service contractors, farm supervisors, and specialized livestock workers 8252
- Customer support representatives 6221
- Technical sales specialists 6221
- Veterinary equipment and supplies salespersons 6221
- Agricultural chemists 2112
- Agricultural inspectors 2222
- Agronomists 2123
- Chemical engineers 2134
- Mechanical engineers 2132
- Other professional occupations in physical sciences 2115
- Veterinarians 3114
- General farm workers 8431
- Greenhouse workers 8432
- Harvesting labourers 8611
- Other trades helpers and labourers 7612
- Pet groomer and animal care workers 6563
- Agricultural service contractors, farm supervisors, and specialized livestock workers 8252
