What areas / specializations can a student study?

Areas of study include Cow/Calf, Equine, Dairy, Feedlot, Field Crop, Irrigated Field Crop, Sheep, Swine, Beekeeping, Greenhouse and Poultry.

Do I really get a "Green Certificate"?

Yes. Upon successful completion of all 3 tests, trainees will receive an actual certificate which they can put on the wall, show to future employers or keep in a portfolio.

What types of trainees are there?

Student trainees access the program through their high school and receive diploma credits upon successful completion. There is no longer an adult trainee program.

How old and what grade does a student trainee have to be in order to participate?

A student must be at least 15 years old and registered in Grade 10, 11 or 12.

How many high school credits does a student earn?

A student trainee will earn 6 credits for completing training section X, 5 credits for section Y and 5 credits for section Z. Completing all 3 (30-level) courses means a total of 16 high school credits towards graduation; these can be used towards the Rutherford Scholarship.

What will I use as a guideline to train on my chosen specialty?

After attending an induction meeting and completing a registration form, trainees receive a manual for their chosen specialization. Each manual has 3 training sections (X, Y, Z), listing skills to master with key competencies and knowledge/understanding requirements.

Does a trainee have to do the manual in alphabetic order?

No. A trainee can start on whichever section (X, Y or Z) they choose. The trainee and trainer should plan training around their farm's annual cycle.

How long will it take a student to complete the Green Certificate program?

The program can be completed anytime during grades 10–12, at the student's own pace. Some students complete all 3 tests (courses) in 1 year, others spread it across 2–3 years.

Can a trainee do more than one area (specialization) at once?

It is strongly discouraged. Each area has a large amount of material to cover and should be focused on. However, once one specialization is finished, the trainee can begin training in another specialization.

Does a trainee get paid while participating in the Green Certificate program?

Possibly — a trainee can be paid or unpaid for their work during the program. It is up to the trainer and trainee to determine payment arrangements.

What prerequisite courses need to be completed?

Trainees must complete the Alberta Education prerequisite AGR 3000 safety course. Successful completion gives 1 high school credit. Students should work with their school coordinator to enroll in this course.

Is the trainee covered by WCB while participating in the Green Certificate program?

Yes. Trainees are covered by WCB. In case of injury they should seek medical attention, then contact their school coordinator — the school will provide the appropriate forms.

Can my parent act as a trainer?

Yes. A parent can act as a trainer. Trainers can also be employers, coaches or 4-H leaders — provided they are knowledgeable in the specialty the student is training in.

What if I don't live on a farm — how can I find a trainer or training site?

You do not have to live on a farm to participate. However, you must have a trainer who can mentor you and ensure you understand all skills in the manual. If you need help finding a trainer, contact your high school coordinator for assistance.

What experience does a trainer need to have to be eligible to train a student?

A trainer must be an experienced producer capable of passing on the knowledge outlined in the manual. They must also understand their limitations and be willing to consult another qualified agricultural professional if needed. The training site must be a safe and viable farming operation.

Can a trainee use more than one trainer?

Yes. A trainee can use as many trainers as needed to complete the program. Each trainer must print their name and sign their initials on the Record of Competence (ROC) page.

Is the trainer covered by WCB while training the student?

No. Only the trainee is covered by WCB.

How often does testing occur?

Testing dates and locations vary by region. The school coordinator or regional coordinator publishes the yearly test schedule.

How many tests do I have to complete to receive the certificate?

Each specialization requires successful completion of three tests (one per training section X, Y, Z) to earn the certificate. Additionally, trainees must test at least once within 12 months of registering for the program.

Where is testing done?

Testing is done primarily at the college campus in the trainee's region; there are also off-campus testing locations for students who live far away.

Testers are experienced producers, ranchers, farmers, agricultural professionals, and in some cases former Green Certificate trainers. In some regions training is also available for new testers — contact your regional coordinator for details.

What format do the tests take?

Tests are oral and practical (hands-on). Trainees must describe information from the manual and/or demonstrate skills using props at the test site, similar to a job-interview style evaluation.

Does a trainee need to take a test each round?

Not necessarily. A trainee and trainer jointly decide when the student is ready for testing. Testing occurs only when the student is ready.

What happens if I receive an 'incomplete' on a test?

The trainee will receive feedback from the tester indicating areas needing more work. The trainee may retake the test at the next scheduled round without academic or financial penalty.

Do I get sent home if I forget my manual or do not have all necessary skills signed off when I come for testing?

Yes. No exceptions — you must have the book and proper sign-offs to be allowed to test.

Where do trainees usually have difficulty with the Green Certificate program?

Trainees usually have the most difficulty with traceability, diseases and medications, anatomy and physiology (livestock specialties), and insects and weeds (crop specialties). Trainees also run into difficulty if they assume prior farming experience means they don't need to read or study the manual.

What is the cost to the school for a student to participate?

There is no cost to schools, students or families to participate in the Green Certificate Program.

How do I assign marks for the Green Certificate program?

Teachers enter marks into PASI, similar to all other high school courses. Green Certificate-specific course codes and other delivery procedures are available on the Green Certificate Program website at www.agriculture.alberta.ca/greencertificate under the School Coordinator's homepage.

What resources are available to Green Certificate trainees and schools?

General overview sheets, specialization brochures, and other materials are available. Contact your regional coordinator to receive more information or to set up an induction meeting. Additional resources are also available online at www.agriculture.alberta.ca/greencertificate.

What if my school doesn't offer Green Certificate — can I still participate?

Yes. Regional coordinators assist with program delivery for schools that don't currently offer the program. Students may also be enrolled in more than one school (e.g. virtual school, home school or a neighboring school) to complete their Green Certificate requirements.

Can Green Certificate be used as a 4-H project?

Yes — with approval of your 4-H club leadership. The Green Certificate program has 4-H project designations for Beef, Horse, Sheep, Dairy, Swine and Field Crops. Specialties like Feedlot, Irrigated Crop, Beekeeping, Greenhouse and Poultry may be utilized under the Creative Options Project (COP) category.

What does a 4-H member need to do to use Green Certificate as a 4-H project?

You must meet all basic 4-H member requirements (club approval, record book, attendance, community service/activity participation, achievement-day presentation or display), and satisfy the Green Certificate requirements — including being in at least Grade 10 and 15 years old, registering as a Green Certificate trainee, doing on-farm training, keeping training records, and completing certification testing.

What kind of record book should I use if I'm doing Green Certificate through 4-H?

The standard Green Certificate training manual alone is not sufficient. For 4-H, members should use the 4-H Generic Record Book (or Creative Options Record Book) along with a log summary of each training period (X, Y, Z) to meet 4-H record-keeping requirements.

Do safety training and induction count as 4-H project activities or events?

No — requirements such as the induction session, on-farm training, testing, and the mandatory safety course (AGR3000) cannot be claimed on the 4-H diary like regular project work. Only actual project work (after those requirements) can be considered under 4-H activity/workshop categories.

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Green Certificate

Green Certificate

Olds College is proud to offer Green Certificate Agricultural Apprenticeship Training for High School Students in Central Alberta in collaboration with Alberta Agriculture and Irrigation and Alberta Education.

Green Certificate Info Sheet Green Certificate and 4-H Green Certificate FAQ

The Green Certificate Program provides trainees with opportunities to enter a variety of agriculture-related, structured learning pathways as a part of their senior high school program and to earn up to 16 Grade 12 diploma credits and a credential leading to a career in agribusiness.

Students learn on the job, under the direction of experienced farm personnel. Trainees select one of the specializations and under the guidance of their own trainer, work towards mastering all skills within their training program including:

Beekeeper
Cow Calf Beef
Dairy
Equine
Feedlot Beef

Field Crop
Greenhouse
Irrigated Field Crop
Poultry – Broiler Chicken
Poultry – Hatching Egg

Poultry – Table Egg
Poultry – Turkey
Sheep
Swine

Green Certificate Testing

At the completion of each training section (X, Y or Z) of their manual, students will be required to complete a test. Testing is oral, with students being formally evaluated on their knowledge and skills to determine if the student has met the specific outcomes specified for the course.

Testing	Date	Location	Registration	Deadline to Register
All Specialties	May 6-7, 2026	Olds & Hanna	Register Online	April 20, 2026

2025-26 Test Schedule

Please note: Once test registration closes, we will create a test schedule. After that is created, we will email a confirmation letter that includes test time, testing day details and a parking pass to each individual student, their parent and their school coordinator.

Training Opportunities

We offer 'bonus' training sessions for registered Green Certificate students at Olds College of Agriculture & Technology to further enhance their Green Certificate training skills.

Workshop	Date	Registration	Deadline to Register
Large Animal Anatomy Workshop	April 30, 2026	Register Online	April 17, 2026
AGR 3000 In-Person Workshop	TBD Fall 2026

Please note: these workshops are only for Green Certificate students.

Workshop Details

AGR 3000 In-Person Workshop

Explore safety topics that matter to you, your farm and employers. This in person workshop includes sessions such as Hazard Assessment and Control, Fire Safety, Electrical Safety, Confined Spaces, Personal Protective Equipment and Emergency Response Planning.

Large Animal Anatomy Workshop

This workshop will benefit Cow-calf, Feedlot, Dairy, Equine, Sheep & Swine trainees. Registration is limited to the first 25 students that register and is FREE for registered Green Certificate students, their parents and trainers. There will be also be a optional campus tour offered after the workshop. Students /parents / trainers will need to register for the tour separately using the sign up link included in workshop email. This visit can be designed to help students explore educational opportunities at Olds College.

For more information

Email: greencertificate@oldscollege.ca

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