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</script></head> <body class="page page-template-default" id="elementTypeFancyTitle"> <noscript> <iframe src="https://www.googletagmanager.com/ns.html?id=GTM-NRSSDKW" height="0" width="0" style="display:none;visibility:hidden"></iframe> </noscript> <a href="#content" id="sr-skip-to-content" class="sr-only sr-only-focusable" alt="Skip To Content">Skip to Content</a> <script defer src="https://unpkg.com/@webcomponents/webcomponentsjs@2.4.4/webcomponents-loader.js"></script> <script src="/sites/rc/themes/RC/includes/web-components/UofGWebComponents.js" defer=""></script> <uofg-header data-name="Ridgetown Campus" data-href="https://www.ridgetownc.com"></uofg-header> <div id="rotator2"> <div class="container ft-container"> <h1 class="fancy-title">About Ridgetown</h1> </div> </div> <div id="breadcrumbs-container" style="position: relative"> <div id="sidebar-breakpoint" style="position: absolute; width: 100vw; bottom: 7.5rem;"></div> <div class="breadcrumbs loaded"> <div class="container"> <div class="row"> <div class="col-sm-12"> <div class="site-breadcrumbs"> <ol class="breadcrumb breadcrumb-right-tag"> <li class="breadcrumb-item"><a href="/" title="Return to the home page"><i class="fa fa-home"></i></a></li> <li class="breadcrumb-item"><span>About Ridgetown</span></li> </ol> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="page-container"> <div id="content" class="site-content"> <div class="content-area">  <div class="container page-container"> <div class="row"> <section class="col-md-8 content-area"> <div>  <div class="mura-body"> <div class="mura-region mura-region-loose"> <div class="mura-region-local"><h2>About Ridgetown Campus</h2> <p class="btn btn-primary" id="mission"><strong>MISSION:</strong><br /> To be a leader in applied agriculture, animal science, and environmental research, and in life-long learning initiatives that are practical and relevant to society.</p> <p class="btn btn-secondary-2" id="vision"><strong>VISION:</strong><br /> Advancing society through agri-food research and science-based learning.</p> <div class="container-fluid col-md-12 content-area" id="stats"> <div class="row"> <div class="col-md-3 uog-card"> <dl> <dt>550</dt> <dd>FULL-TIME STUDENTS</dd> </dl> </div> <div class="col-md-3 uog-card"> <dl> <dt>45</dt> <dd>TEACHING STAFF</dd> </dl> </div> <div class="col-md-3 uog-card"> <dl> <dt>450</dt> <dd>ACRES OF LAND AND GROUNDS</dd> </dl> </div> <div class="col-md-3 uog-card"> <dl> <dt>88%</dt> <dd>OVERALL EMPLOYMENT RATE</dd> </dl> </div> </div> </div> <h3 id="history">History of Ridgetown Campus</h3> <p>Ridgetown campus has enjoyed a proud history of over 90 years in research and over 60 years of providing quality education programs.</p> <div class="timeline"> <div class="timeline-container left"> <div class="timeline-content"> <h3>1920s</h3> <p>The history of Ridgetown Campus begins in 1922 when the Western Ontario Experimental Farm was established on land purchased by the Ontario government. This farm was operated under the Ontario Department of Agriculture as a research facility for variety testing, production trials, and fertility studies of corn, beans, sugar beets and tobacco. Potato and horticulture crops, as well as chemical control of insects and plant diseases, were added a few years later.</p> </div> </div> <div class="timeline-container right"> <div class="timeline-content"> <h3>1930s</h3> <p>In 1936, a two-year course in agriculture was initiated to teach practical agricultural practices; classes were scheduled so as not to interfere with the farm season. Fourteen students graduated in the spring of 1938. The program was terminated after two years because of a lack of student living facilities. Research continued to be a priority at Ridgetown and the first "Farmers Week"" (to educate farmers on better farming practices) was held in 1939.</p> </div> </div> <div class="timeline-container left"> <div class="timeline-content"> <h3>1940s</h3> <p>In the late 1940s, the idea of a residential school for a two-year diploma course in agriculture was revived by J.C. Steckley, Director of the Experimental Farm. The Department of Agriculture agreed to the construction of a residence building, named Steckley Hall. More land was purchased to add to the experimental farm.</p> </div> </div> <div class="timeline-container right"> <div class="timeline-content"> <h3>1950s</h3> <p>The first students enrolled at the Western Ontario Agricultural School (WOAS) in 1951; they graduated in 1953. These students paid course fees of $179 and an extra $140 for room and board in the college dormitory for the 20-week school year.</p> </div> </div> <div class="timeline-container left"> <div class="timeline-content"> <h3>1990s</h3> <p>In 1997, Ridgetown College became a regional campus of the University of Guelph. Research and education programs continue to expand at Ridgetown Campus.</p> </div> </div> <div class="timeline-container right"> <div class="timeline-content"> <h3>2000s</h3> <p>Academic programs expanded to include a certificate in Performance Horse Handler. In 2006, the campus opened the Rudy H. Brown Rural Development Centre, a project of the Ridgetown Agri-Food Foundation.</p> </div> </div> <div class="timeline-container left"> <div class="timeline-content"> <h3>2022</h3> <p>We offer five diplomas, one certificate, and one apprenticeship program. There are 120 full-time faculty and staff, plus contract teachers, serving the needs of 550 full-time students. Our applied research projects provide practical results that are appreciated by farmers and respected by professionals around the world.</p> </div> </div> </div></div> </div> </div> <div class="mura-region"><div class="mura-region-local"></div></div>  </div> </section> <section class="col-md-3 content-area"> <nav class="scrolled" id="home-sidebar"> <div> <h3>Discover Ridgetown</h3> <ul> <li><a href="/about/#mission">Our Mission, Our Vision</a></li> <li><a href="/about/#history">Campus History</a></li> <li><a href="/about/directions">How to Find Us</a></li> <li><a href="/about/contactus">Contact Us</a></li> <li><a href="/about/employment">Employment Opportunities</a></li> <li><a href="/about/alumni">Alumni Relations</a></li> <li><a href="/about/community">Community Services</a></li> <li><a href="/about/closing">Emergency Closing Procedures</a></li> <li><a href="https://bdc.ridgetownc.com" target="_blank">Business Development Centre</a></li> </ul> </div> </nav> </section> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <script>$(window).on("load", function(){$("#AppArmorENS").modal('show');});</script> <div id="AppArmorAlertID_153" style="z-index:1;"></div> <script type="text/javascript" src="//uoguelph.apparmor.com/Notifications/Feeds/Javascript/?AlertID=153" async></script> <uofg-footer></uofg-footer>  <script src="https://stackpath.bootstrapcdn.com/bootstrap/4.3.1/js/bootstrap.bundle.min.js" crossorigin="anonymous"></script> <script src="/sites/rc/themes/RC/js/uog-scripts-dist-expanded.js"></script> <script src="//www.ridgetownc.com/core/modules/v1/cta/js/mura.displayobject.cta.min.js" defer="defer"></script> <script src="/core/modules/v1/gatedasset/assets/js/module.js"></script></body> </html>