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Agrologists help serve region’s diverse needs
By Mark Hall
It is the time of year when some of the different types of agriculture crops grown in the region are being harvested by local producers.
Professional Agrologists provide specialized services to the local agriculture sector in a variety of ways including; developing site-specific seed and fertilizer plans, testing soil nutrients, developing environmental farm plans and managing invasive weeds.
However, agriculture is only one aspect of business that Agrologists work in.
Agrology is the practice of bio resource sciences to provide knowledge and advice to support the development of the agriculture sector and the health of the society, environment, and economy. Agrology is a broad multidisciplinary field that encompasses the natural, economic and social sciences as related to the practice and understanding of agriculture and natural sciences. Professional Agrologists come from diverse fields such as agriculture business, animal science, food science, soil science, resource science and environmental science.
Professional Agrologists: are leaders in environmental sustainability; are involved in the regulating and safeguarding of food production and processing; provide business information and services based on their knowledge of resource economics.
Agrologists have a minimum of a Bachelor’s degree in their area of practice. They are guided by a code of ethics and are responsible for protecting the interest of the public by providing objective information based on science and economics within their area of expertise. The BC Agrologists Act defines the practice of Agrology in the province and the BC Institute of Agrologists governs the registration and competency of Professional and Articling Agrologists.
Professional Agrologists provide expertise and services to many of the region’s natural resource sectors including mining and forestry.
Local Agrologists have expertise in mine reclamation, environmental impact assessment, fish and wildlife habitat enhancement, range and grassland management, invasive species control, ecosystem restoration, riparian area protection, species-at-risk conservation, environmental legislation and biodiversity planning. Many of the region’s Agrologists work for private consulting firms, First Nations, the provincial government, private industry and non-profit conservation organizations.
Some Professional Agrologists are among a small group of registered professionals qualified to assess and manage contaminated sites including checking for liabilities under the Contaminated Sites Regulation – a step often required for commercial and industrial real-estate transactions.
If you want to find a local Professional Agrologist or learn more about the practice of Agrology visit the BC Institute of Agrologists’ website at www.bcia.com.
Lead image from agrologistscanada.ca
– Mark Hall is a professional Agrologist (P.Ag) He is president of the Kootenay-Boundary Chapter BC Institute of Professional Agrologists.
