latest growing technology and is a great educational complex. Balogh believes robotics is one of the keys to the future in the agricultural industry with automation still in the development stage.
“It is going to be interesting to see what happens in the future. A lot of people are working on new automated technology today especially in countries like Holland where they have already designed machines and systems to service and harvest horticulture crops.” Balogh was asked how much classroom time vs field time he gets. “It is a very heavy course load in classes and each semester we have one class that is dedicated to hands-on work. And every single class is just once a week for three hours. So that allows you three hours to go out in the field and do some work.”
Now that he has finished the first year of his horticultural course, Balogh has one more year to take before receiving his diploma. Right now he is doing a practicum on
Prof.Tom Baumann’s farm working with his crop consulting company.
“I was previously on his farm learning pruning, grafting and other horticultural techniques. He operates a leading edge facility and it gives us a very good learning experience. I feel the fact that the agricultural courses incorporate hands-on experiences with local entrepreneurs is one of their most important aspects. It is a great learning experience.”
Balogh also feels the smaller class sizes at UFV, around 20 to 25 students, are beneficial as they allow for one-on- one interaction between students and their instructors, and with other students.
“When I attended University in Calgary I would go to lecture hall with four or five hundred other kids. I didn’t like it.”
One of the benefits the university provides is that students who graduate from UFV are immediately employable. “The references you get from the professors about various industries is fantastic. It really puts you a step above a lot of other people”, says Balogh. Now Balogh is interested in taking the Agricultural Business Diploma program, as he is convinced that anyone planning on carving out a future for themselves in the agriculture or horticultural industry should develop a solid understanding of how to manage a business. It is essential if you want to be successful, he says.
18 British Columbia Berry Grower • Summer 2016
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1491 Altacor
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