Overview
Since 1960, the Ontario Institute of Agrologists (OIA) has been comprised of professionals in agriculture. The OIA serves as a professional regulatory body under a provincial Act. Whether educated in Canada or abroad, the Professional Agrologist (P.Ag.) and Technical Agrologist (T.Ag.) designations are held by over 10,000 publically accountable designated professionals across Canada. The OIA is not a school, university or college. Principle funding for the OIA is member-fee based. There is an Institute of Agrology in every Canadian province. An agreement between all provincial agrology institutes facilitates labour mobility between provinces of licensed practitioners.
Working to establish the highest standards for practicing agrology professionals, efforts are directed by those who meet competency practice standards to ensure that the public has complete trust in the health and safety of Ontario’s agriculture, agri-food and agri-life science sectors. OIA members are employed by educational institutions, private industry, government and non government agencies, and many are self employed. They are found in lending institutions, providing advice to farmers, in communications and financial roles, in the fertilizer and seed business, food processing plants, in turf management and golf course operations, leading agricultural organizations and corporate boardrooms.
For over 50 years, the OIA has served its mission statement - to protect the public by licensing and safe guarding the competence of qualified practitioners and to build public confidence in Ontario’s agriculture, agri-food, and agri-business sector. The Ontario Institute of Agrologists advances the professionalism of Agrologists serving society. This is achieved through member adherence to a Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice, rigourous competency and educational requirements to join the profession, on-going continuous learning and competency enhancement requirements, as well as through public accountability.
If you work in agriculture, agri-food or agri-life science or plan to gain employment within agri-business; turf management; ag environment/ecology; ag engineering; food quality assurance; soil, plant or animal science then your professional association is the Ontario Institute of Agrologists.
Types of Agrologists
There are two agriculture/agrology designations you should look for to ensure that you receive superior expertise, strategic advice and quality products.
P.Ag. (Professional Agrologist)
This is a professional registered to practice agrology under the Ontario Institute of Professional Agrologists Act (1962). Agrologists apply professional standards to all their services associated with the agriculture, agri-food and agri-business sector in Ontario.
Educational requirements include an Honours (4-year) Undergraduate, Masters degree or a Ph.D. in agriculture or related science or management from an accredited Canadian University. Licensed P.Ag.s have completed agrologist-in-training requirements.
T.Ag. (Technical Agrologist)
This professional designation is also held by those licensed to practice agrology in Ontario. T.Ag.s differ in educational background in that they possess a specialized diploma (2-year) in agrology or related science from an accredited Canadian college or university.
All Technical Agrologists must also apply professional standards to all their services associated with the agriculture, agri-food and agri-business sector in Ontario.
Accountability of a Designated Agrologist
It is only through the OIA’s legislative Act that you may file a public complaint regarding the conduct of a professional agrologist or about the services or advice provided.
Don’t confuse an “agricultural specialist” or an “agrologist” with a designated practitioner. Not everyone can meet the competency standards to achieve designation. If you need legal advice it is the Law Society of Upper Canada that regulates law practitioners. Likewise if you need an accountant you look for a CA, CGA, or CMA. Ontario’s public and their interests are protected by Ontario’s registered agrologists.
Responsibilities of a Designated Agrologist
- Maintain superior standards of competence, integrity and ethics in the agricultural profession;
- Speak out on agricultural issues through reports, meetings and media contacts;
- Consult with government, agri-business and other Agrologists based on the strength of holding a license to practice agrology;
- Reach out to assist and collaborate with other groups for the betterment of agriculture and society;
- Abide by the OIA Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice;
- Mentor an Articling Agrologist; and
- Contribute to the image of Professional Agrologists as vital components of the Ontario agri-food, agri-life science, agri-business and agriculture sector.
In addition, requirements must be met to maintain licensure. Only licensed agrology practitioners are required to maintain their commitment to ethical practice standards and document continuous competence enhancement with the OIA.