As the state’s agriculture industry continues to grow, leaders are looking towards the next generation of agriculture enthusiasts. In response the Chippewa Valley Technical College is expanding their agriculture-related programs.
The Dunn County News reports:
Chippewa Valley Technical College will initiate new programs and credentials in agriculture-related fields beginning in August 2017. The programs won approval from the Wisconsin Technical College System Board in September and the CVTC board on Oct. 20.
The offerings include two new associate degree programs and four new technical diplomas as expansions of CVTC’s existing Agriscience Technician program.
The agriculture additions essentially divide CVTC’s existing Agriscience Technician program, which includes components in agronomy and animal sciences, into two associate degree programs in Precision Agronomy Management and Animal Science Management.
In precision agronomy, the precision of high technology agriculture equipment is applied to agronomy work. Students will receive hands-on training in the latest field technology while also learning crop sciences, with much of the learning taking place in the field. Students completing the Animal Science program will receive hands-on training through CVTC’s partnership with over 30 regional farms used as learning labs. Graduates can find employment in ag sales, herd management, reproduction, genetics, nutrition and consulting.
The changes to the Agriscience Technician program are being made with solid industry support. CVTC met with industry leaders, who indicated a need for more specialized training in agriculture-related fields and a willingness to hire graduates in the new programs.
Each of the new programs has a 24-student capacity and will not require any significant additions of equipment or facilities.
The Animal Science Management program will include an embedded Animal Science Technician technical diploma after one year of study. Precision Agronomy Management will include an Agronomy Technician technical diploma after one year.
In addition, CVTC will be offering a new one-year Farm Operation technical diploma program, meant for farm workers who want to stay engaged in farming while going to school at a time convenient to the cropping season. The Farm Operations program will run from November through March, covering a variety of coursework in animal science, agronomy and farm business.
For more on these agriculture programs, visit Dunn County News.
