Clark State College works with U.S. Department of Agriculture to create hub for community college agriculture education
The US Department of Agriculture – Natural Resources Conservation Service has entered into a cooperative agreement with the Community College Alliance for Agriculture Advancement, of which Clark State College is a founding member, to create a hub for agriculture students of two-year institutions.
Clark State College and the US Department of Agriculture – Natural Resources Conservation Service (USDA-NRCS) have come together via a cooperative agreement to create a national hub for students at community colleges who are studying agriculture. As a founding member of the Community College Alliance for Agriculture Advancement (C2A3), Clark State College has long been an advocate for finding ways to increase interest in agriculture as a career, especially among students at two-year community colleges.
According to an article on Clark State College’s website, Astrid Martinez, who serves as the director of the Conservation Planning and Technical Assistance division within the USDA-NRCS, was quoted as saying of the collaboration, “C2A3 schools will increase student interest in agriculture, natural resources and conservation, with a focus on preparing students for USDA jobs. This is an important step in developing the next generation of agricultural leaders.”
The initiative between the USDA-NRCS and C2A3 schools will create a national hub for two-year schools in support of providing agriculture education and developing student interest in the agriculture industry. The project will last for four years and will provide $9 million in funding to establish the C2A3 hub and begin the work it aims to do. Among the projects within the hub are creating a curriculum that can become a model for C2A3 schools across the country, develop regional programming, and help create relationships with experts and with local USDA-NRCS offices. Specialized programming projects include crop drainage and irrigation management, silvopasture management, urban agriculture, and artificial intelligence and precision.
The hub created by this partnership will also allow for networking and internship opportunities between agriculture students and USDA employees. It will also provide funding for both students and instructors to travel to various agricultural conferences that will help grow their knowledge and stay on top of the most current agriculture news and technologies.
Arly Drake, Ph.D., who is an associate professor of agriculture at Clark State College, explained that Clark State College has been introducing students to agriculture education via certificates and associate degrees in precision agriculture and precision agriculture technician, which prepare students for careers like agriculture engineer and irrigation technician. Drake is quoted as saying, “As agriculture increasingly relies on technology, the demand for professionals skilled in implementing geospatial technologies like GPS and GIS continues to grow. Clark State’s precision agriculture program provides these critical skills, promoting efficient resource use and contributing to sustainable farming practices.”
Drake went on to speak further about the role of technology in precision agriculture and what students can expect to learn during the program, saying, “Agriculture has always been technology based but it is quickly growing and adopting new technologies each year. What makes precision agriculture different from agriculture is the capability to gather information on a specific plant or animal and create the best plan for their success based on data and research. With precision mapping, a soil test map, a yield map, a drainage map and a topography map can all be placed accurately using GPS coordinates. Using this data, producers can develop fertilizer, plant population, pest control and equipment recommendations for each part of the field. Precision sensors and guidance systems allow accurate placement of seed to within half-inch accuracy. Clark State is proud to be at the cutting-edge of initiatives that support innovation in farming and allow us to cultivate a sustainable future for agriculture in Ohio and beyond. By using real-life examples of conservation in classroom and land labs in our program, students can bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application and be well-prepared for careers in agriculture.”
For more information about Clark State College, visit the school’s website.