By Cory Jacob PAg, Acting Provincial Specialist, Weed Control, Crops and Irrigation Branch, Regina
The year is 1946: The Agrologists Act is passed, marking the beginning of the Saskatchewan Institute of Agrologists (SIA). The Act provided the SIA with the authority to regulate the profession and define the professional standards for individuals practicing agrology—which is the application of natural life sciences in agriculture, bioresources, food and the environment. The application of science is the central basis of agrologists’ work in aiding the public to make informed decisions.
Flash forward to 2025: The role of the SIA is still to ensure that anyone practicing agrology in Saskatchewan is qualified and licensed, and that SIA agrologists provide accurate, science-based knowledge and advice on agriculture, food, bioresources and environment. Agrologists are regulated today by The Agrologists Act, 1994, bound by a code of ethics (responsibility to the profession, other agrologists, employer/client and obligations to the public), mandated to protect the public, and are committed to continuing professional development. Collaboration with stakeholders, transparency and accountability are also important roles of the SIA and its members.
SIA objectives are outlined by the Act and include:
- Promoting and increasing the knowledge, skill and proficiency of agrologists in the practice of agrology;
- Doing all things that may be necessary, incidental or conducive to the usefulness of agrologists to the public;
- Protecting the public in all matters relating to the gathering, analyzing and distributing of information respecting agrology;
- Improving agrology services and agrology education, increasing public assurance of the safety of the food supply, promoting the wise use of natural resources and monitoring the environmental sensitivity of the agri-food industry; and
- Ensuring the proficiency and competency of agrologists.
Agrologists are science-based professionals in agriculture, bioresources, food or the environment who responsibly teach, transfer knowledge or conduct research. While being a Professional Agrologist (PAg) or Technical Agrologist (TechAg) can be a rewarding career, you must complete the appropriate requirements and milestones before you can apply for the full designation.
with the Ministry of Agriculture.
To become an agrologist in Saskatchewan, the process begins with education.
Articling Agrologists (AAg) must complete a 120-credit degree from a recognized university with a total of 60 credits (20 courses) in agrology-type courses (agriculture, food, agribusiness or environmental science) or as approved by the SIA Admissions and Registration Committee.
To become an Articling Technical Agrologist (ATechAg), you must complete a diploma or degree in agrology from a school or college with at least 40 credits in agrology-related courses (agriculture, food, agribusiness or environmental science) or as approved by the SIA Admissions and Registration Committee.
The application process to register with the SIA involves four steps:
- Submit an articling application: this includes the application form, application fee, official transcripts, copy of degree(s) or diploma(s), up-to-date resume and an international education course-by-course evaluation if education was received outside of Canada.
- Review and decision: once the application documents have been received for the articling program, the SIA Admissions and Registration Committee will review the file. Note that when an individual is approved to complete the articling program, they must pay the annual licence fee.
- Complete the articling milestones: once registered, articling agrologists (both AAg and ATechAg) must complete the articling milestones, using the articling program checklist to track the milestones completed. This includes completing and reporting three years of work experience relevant to their academic background and declared scope of practice.
- Submit a full registration request: when the articling milestones are completed, including three years of relevant work experience in the declared scope of practice, agrologists can apply for their full designation, which includes the full registration request form, articling program checklist, professional photograph, up-to-date resume and two reference letters from PAgs or TechAgs.
Continuing Professional Development (CPD) is part of the commitment of agrologists and is required to stay in good standing with the SIA. To indicate competency, agrologists must complete 35 CPD hours per year or a minimum of 105 hours over the most recent three-year period.
The main purpose of registering with the SIA is that you are legally able to call yourself a Professional Agrologist or Technical Agrologist and practice agrology in Saskatchewan. In addition, you’re recognized as a trained and qualified professional, protected from legal action because you are eligible to carry professional liability (Errors and Omissions) insurance—and can take pride in being part of a self-regulated profession.