Alberta Resources

Alberta Indian Investment Corporation (AIIC)

Office Location(s)	Enoch
Mailing Address	103, 21553 Chief Lapotac Blvd. Enoch, AB  T7X 3Y3
Phone Number	(780) 470-3600  Toll-Free: 1 (888) 308-6789
Email	info@aiicbusiness.org
Fax Number	(780) 470-3605

Financial Offerings

1. Financial Assistance

   • AIIC provides interest-bearing loans to First Nation entrepreneurs for the purpose of establishing, acquiring, diversifying or expanding a business.
   • Loans are generally for periods of up to 5 years.

Apeetogosan (Métis) Development Inc. (AMDI)

Office Location(s)	Edmonton
Mailing Address	302,12308-111 Ave NW, Edmonton, AB  T5M 2N4
Phone Number	(780) 452-7951  Toll-Free: 1 (800) 252-7963
Email	office@amdi.co
Fax Number	(780) 454-5997

 

Financial Offerings

1. Small Business Loans 

   • Apeetogosan can provide financing to virtually any industry sector including construction, retail, manufacturing, service, tourism, natural resources, and transportation.
   • Loans typically range between $5,000 and $325,000.
      
2. Métis Entrepreneurs Assistance Program (MEAP)
   • Non-repayable funding up to $99,999 to help you start, expand, or modernize your business.
   • Must be accompanied by AMDI financing.
   • Available to Métis entrepreneurs in Alberta.

 

Community Futures Treaty Seven (CFT7)

Office Location(s)	Calgary
Mailing Address	300-6011 1A St SW, Calgary, AB  T2H 0G5
Phone Number	(403) 251-9242
Email	info@t7edc.com

Financial Offerings

1. General Labour Market

   • CFT7’s General Labour Market Program provides financial support to the Four Urban Indigenous Employment Centres as well as other projects designed toward obtaining and maintaining employment or self-employment ultimately leading to economic independence.

 

Indian Business Cooperation

Office Location(s)	Calgary
Mailing Address	56, 2333 - 18th Ave NE, Calgary, AB  T2E 8T6
Phone Number	(403) 291-5151  Toll-Free: 1 (800) 387-4813
Email	heather@indianbc.ca
Fax Number	(403) 291-0953

Financial Offerings

1. Financial Assistance

   • IBC provides development lending and financial services to First Nations' business and individuals across numerous sectors and disciplines including agriculture, heavy equipment & transportation, service and hospitality industries.
   • They have also funded a variety of viable ventures in the mining industry, audio & visual, and the oil & gas industry.

 

Settlement Investment Corporation

Office Location(s)	Edmonton
Mailing Address	Suite 212, 10335-172 St NW, Edmonton, AB  T5S 1K9
Phone Number	(780) 488-5656  Toll-Free: 1 (800) 661-9902
Email	admin@settlementinvestcorp.com
Fax Number	(780) 488-5811

Financial Offerings

1. Agricultural Loan

   • Loans must be for farming purposes.
   • Maximum loan amounts for Agricultural Loans is $100,000.

2. Commerical Loan

   • Loans must be for business purposes.
   • Maximum loan amounts for Commercial Loans is $100,000.

3. Indigenous Women’s Program

   • The micro-loan program will support Indigenous women who have small home-based and/or part time businesses.
   • Any participants receiving the micro-loan will be required to work with the business support officer as well as attend the workshops provided through the IWE program.

Alberta Indian Investment Corporation (AIIC)

1. Status Entrepreneur Assistance Program
   • This program provides equity assistance for the start-up or the expansion of small businesses for Status individuals. 
   • Grants can provide up to 30% of your project total to a maximum of $99,999.

Apeetogosan (Métis) Development Inc. (AMDI)

1. Access to Small Business Grant (MEAP).
   • This program provides equity assistance for the start-up or the expansion of small businesses.
   • It is applied to approximately 30% of the total project costs.

 

Northwestern Polytechnic

Institution Location(s)	Grande Prairie, AB
Phone Number	(780) 539-2911  Toll-Free: 1 (888) 539-2700

Agriculture and Food Programs Offered

1. Agriculture Operations (Diploma) 

   • Cultivate a career in modern agriculture with skills to operate and maintain farm equipment, transport grains and livestock, and utilize technology for production.

Lethbridge Polytechnic

Institution Location(s)	Lethbridge, AB
Phone Number	(403) 320-3200  Toll-Free: 1 (800) 572-0103
Email	registration@lethpolytech.ca

Agriculture and Food Programs Offered

1. Agricultural and Heavy Equipment Technician (Certificate)

   • This program takes just two semesters to learn the basics of safety, electrical, hydraulics and power train systems, and repair fundamentals on a range of farm equipment. 

2. Agricultural Equipment Technician Apprenticeship

   • Over four years, students will mix on-the-job training with one-on-one instruction from qualified tradespeople. Students will participate in hands-on learning and work to diagnose electrical, mechanical, and hydraulic problems. 

3. Bachelor of Agriculture Science (Degree)

   • This program combines the fundamentals of plant and soil science, the reality of growing-condition variation, and the application of modern precision agriculture techniques. Students will also spend time in the lab and in the field developing an understanding of plant physiology, soil fertility, crop production, and integrated pest management.

4. Agriculture Sciences - Ag Business (Diploma)

   • In this two-year diploma program, students will network with some of the most progressive producers in the region and learn about agriculture issues and solutions. In second year, they will learn agriculture management policy, marketing, and how international events affect agriculture and the economy.

5. Agriculture Sciences - Agronomy (Diploma)

   • Network with some of the most progressive producers in the region and learn about agriculture issues and solutions. Second year will deepen students' understanding of soils, soil management, botany, and field and specialty crops; as well as provide an introduction to irrigation, precision agriculture, and greenhouse management.

Red Deer Polytechnic

Institution Location(s)	Red Deer, AB
Phone Number	(403) 342-3400  Toll-Free: 1 (888) 732-4630

Agriculture and Food Programs Offered

1. Agricultural Equipment Technician Apprenticeship (Year 2 and 4)

   • Combine your love of agriculture with your desire to work with your hands and problem solve. You will learn to repair, overhaul and maintain agricultural equipment including tractors, tillage equipment, seeding equipment and harvesting equipment.

Medicine Hat College

Institution Location(s)	Medicine Hat, AB
Phone Number	(403) 529-3874
Email	cstudiesmedicinehat@mhc.ab.ca

Agriculture and Food Programs Offered

1. Agri-Business (Certificate)

   • The Agri-Business program provides learners with an understanding of agricultural business management, economics, data analytics, and emerging trends and technologies. Participants explore decision-making skills tailored to farm and ranch operations, explore financial management strategies within the agricultural sector, and learn to leverage data analytics for informed decision-making and strategic planning. 

Yellowhead Tribal College

Institution Location(s)	Edmonton, AB
Phone Number	(780) 484-0303  Toll-Free: (877) 982-3382

Agriculture and Food Programs Offered

1. Vertical Farming Operators (Certificate)

   • This program provides opportunities for First Nation communities, organizations and individuals to exercise sovereignty in the production of their food, as well as pursue long-term food security and sustainability. 

2. Indigenous Environmental Stewardship and Reclamation (Diploma)

   • The Indigenous Environmental Stewardship and Reclamation program prepares students for the demanding and evolving field of environmental safeguarding, reclamation, and restoration.

3. Environmental Monitoring & Drone Technician (Certificate)

   • Bridging innovative technology with hands-on skills needed to start your career in environmental sciences will deepen your connection to the natural world.

4. Bachelor of Science in Indigenous Environmental Management (Degree)

   • The Bachelor of Science in Indigenous Environmental Management (IEM) program prepares students for the field of environmental science with a focus on safeguarding and reclaiming the environment.

University of Lethbridge

Institution Location(s)	Lethbridge, AB
Phone Number	(403) 571-3360
Email	inquiries@uleth.ca

Agriculture and Food Programs Offered

1. Bachelor of Science - Agricultural Biotechnology (Degree)

   • Agricultural biotechnology examines agriculture and the natural world, emphasizing the relationships between food production, the environment, science and society.

2. Bachelor of Science and Arts - Agricultural Studies (Degree)

   • Agricultural studies delves into the relationships between the social, economic, political and environmental factors that affect the agricultural sector — from farm level production to international policy.

3. Agricultural Studies (Post-Diploma)

   • Agricultural studies delves into the relationships between the social, economic, political and environmental factors that affect the agricultural sector, from farm level production to international policy.

Olds College

Institution Location(s)	Olds, AB
Phone Number	(403) 556-8281  Toll-Free: 1 (800) 661-6537
Email	info@oldscollege.ca

Agriculture and Food Programs Offered

1. Agricultural & Heavy Equipment (Certificate)

   • In learning from experienced, Journeyperson certified, industry-trained instructors, you will receive hands-on education with exposure to an extensive workshop and tool room.

2. Agricultural & Heavy Equipment (Diploma)

   • Building off of the Agriculture and Heavy Equipment certificate, this one-year program will expand on students' understanding of the fundamentals of heavy equipment repair as you choose from one of two majors: Agricultural Equipment or Heavy Equipment.

3. Agricultural Equipment Technician Apprenticeship

   • Work with all the latest agricultural machinery as participants learn how to repair and overhaul engines, mechanical and power shift transmissions, tractor hydraulic and electrical systems, tillage machinery, and spraying and harvesting equipment.

4. Agricultural Management (Diploma)

   • The Agricultural Management diploma program gives students a comprehensive education in all aspects of the agriculture industry through a mix of classroom time and hands-on experience on the Olds College Smart Farm.

5. Agriculture Sales and Customer Support (Certificate)

   • Agriculture is the fastest growing industry in Canada and producers are busier than ever. To meet the increasing demand, producers look to agricultural sales, customer and technical support representatives as the experts in emerging ag tech trends, for innovative solutions. 

6. Bachelor of Applied Science - Agribusiness (Degree)

   • This two-year program will equip you with the necessary skills, such as critical thinking, problem solving and collaborative investigation, to solve real-world business challenges.

7. Bachelor of Applied Science - Horticulture (Degree)

   • This two-year program focuses on combining science and technology with business concepts that will enable you to have a successful career in horticulture or starting your own business.

8. Bachelor of Digital Agriculture (Degree)

   • With a focus on leadership and management, this four-year program equips future leaders with skills to address current and evolving changes in agriculture using digital tools and sustainable practices.

Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT)

Institution Location(s)	Calgary, AB
Phone Number	(403) 284-7248

Agriculture and Food Programs Offered

1. Agricultural Equipment Technician (Advanced Diploma)

   • Prepare for a career focused on the maintenance and overhauling of agricultural equipment including tractors, tillage equipment and harvesting equipment.

Lakeland College

Institution Location(s)	Vermilion, AB   Lloydminster, AB
Phone Number	Vermilion Campus: (780) 853-8400   Lloydminster Campus: (780) 871-5700   Toll-Free: 1 (800) 661-6490
Email	hello@lakelandcollege.ca

Agriculture and Food Programs Offered

1. Agribusiness (Diploma)

   • Expand your view of agricultural businesses through one of the streams in Lakeland’s Agribusiness diploma. 

2. Agricultural Sustainability (Diploma)

   • This innovative program bridges agricultural and environmental sciences. It also merges the concerns of both the public and producers. Consumers want to know where and how their food is grown. Farmers and ranchers care about conservation and productivity.

3. Bachelor of Agriculture Technology (Degree)

   • Integrating computer technologies and the Internet of Things has transformed agriculture. At Lakeland, students will be immersed in those kinds of hands-on, real world experiences--experiences that bring together ag tech with production and business management.

4. General Agriculture (Certificate)

   • Focus on either crop or livestock production. On the crops side, you will learn practical field skills like identifiying weeds and plants and assessing pest problems. On the livestock side, you will gain basic production skills for dairy, cow-calf and sheep.

5. Post-Bachelor Certificate in Commercial Agriculture Production

   • Go beyond the classroom with our new post-bachelor commercial agriculture production certificate. This certificate is designed for Canadian agricultural degree holders who want to build their practical skills.

University of Alberta

Institution Location(s)	Edmonton, AB
Phone Number	(780) 492-3111

Agriculture and Food Programs Offered

1. Bachelor of Science - Agricultural Business Management (Degree)

   • This program examines the relationships between science and economics in the agri-food sector. From agricultural and resource economics to animal, plant, and soil sciences, this program gives you both the business skills and the scientific understanding needed to succeed in this global industry.

2. Bachelor of Science - Agricultural and Resource Economics (Degree)

   • This program teaches you how to apply economic tools and thinking to the production, processing, marketing, financing, and consumption aspects of the agri-food and resource industries. You will also develop practical and analytical skills to prepare you for a wide variety of policy and marketing issues.

3. Bachelor of Science - Sustainable Agricultural Systems (Degree)

   • This program teaches you how to maintain and enhance the performance of agricultural systems (including people, plants, animals, soil, water, and other resources) in efficient and sustainable ways. Key areas of study include agricultural production systems, natural resource management, and their relationship to social and economic systems.