TCATs Offer All-Inclusive Ag Degrees
In partnership with: Tennessee Department of Agriculture
Shortly after a work-based learning field trip to the Memphis U.S. Department of Agriculture offices, Cade Sampson landed a job with the agency as a commodity grader. The tour guide during Sampson’s trip was so impressed with his attentiveness, thoughtful questions and ability to interpret the material they were discussing that the guide encouraged Sampson to apply.
What makes Sampson’s story unique is that the job typically requires a four-year degree, and Sampson was still working toward a certificate in digital agronomy at the Tennessee College of Applied Technology (TCAT) in Covington. Thanks to the increased number of new certificate programs at TCAT facilities across the state, students such as Sampson are able to learn the necessary skills to launch a successful career in high-demand agriculture-based fields.
Ready for Work with TCAT Degrees
“Many of our digital agronomy students are the youngest generation of farmers who come from a family of farmers,” says Derravia Rich, work-based learning coordinator for K-12 at TCAT Covington. “The knowledge that our students receive in the digital agronomy program will not only make our students more qualified for jobs. It will also help bring cutting-edge technology into farming practices, which will increase crop production and innovative farming methods that can generate more income for their family farms.”
The TCAT agriculture programs are all inclusive, and no prior agriculture experience is required. Students only need a drive to succeed and interest in agriculture.
“We’re happy to have students with or without farming experience because what is included in the course content is invaluable,” Rich says. “Our program prepares students for a variety of positions within the ag industry.”
See more: Growing Ag Education in Tennessee
Smart Starts
The 12-month digital agronomy program at TCAT Covington focuses on plant science and crop production, GIS mapping, pest and weed identification, regenerative agriculture and crop marketing. Students are also able to earn a Drone FAA Part 107 license, which allows them to use drones to observe crops.
“The program includes four major components – agriculture fundamentals, agriculture technology, business management and social sciences,” says Youlanda Jones, president of TCAT Covington/Ripley/Newbern. “Students learn everything from worker characteristics to data integrity and communication.”
The program is built to be a stand-alone degree or a helpful step toward a two- or four-year degree in similar areas.
“We also incorporated transferability into the program, so when students graduate, they’re able to transfer to a community college or four-year university,” Jones says.
The work-based learning component introduces students to local career pathways.
“We have developed partnerships with companies and organizations in many of the ag-related industries in our area, including PictSweet, Anderson Flying Service, Tipton County GIS, Farm Space, Nutrien Ag Solutions, USDA and Tennessee Tractor. And that list continues to grow,” Jones says.
See more: Ag Education in Tennessee Keeps Students in the Know
TCAT is Growing Places
Other recent program additions to the TCAT system include forestry and agriculture technology programs at TCAT Hohenwald and farming operations technology at TCAT Oneida, TCAT Shelbyville and TCAT Crump.
“All TCAT programs equip students with the skills and knowledge they need to enter the workforce, and agriculture programs are no different,” says Emily House, executive director of the Tennessee Higher Education Commission and the Tennessee Student Assistance Corporation. “Because of the advances in agriculture technology, it is becoming more important for Tennesseans to have a postsecondary credential to succeed in the agriculture sector.”
Future-Focused
Through initiatives such as the Governor’s Investment in Vocational Education (GIVE) and Supporting Postsecondary Attainment in Rural Communities (SPARC), TCAT programs are now offering agriculture programs as dual enrollment opportunities for high school students in rural areas. This means students are earning postsecondary credit to be applied to a TCAT while still in high school.
See more: Tech Colleges are Career Builders
“This will lessen the time it takes to earn a postsecondary credential after high school graduation and prepares these students for careers in agriculture that will allow them to stay in their rural community, should they choose to do so,” House says. “Postsecondary agriculture programs at TCATs are extremely important to the sustainability of agriculture in Tennessee.”
Technology is constantly advancing, and TCAT is meeting the needs of future farmers and agriculture leaders.
“Much like in other industry sectors, technology is rapidly changing in agriculture,” House says. “TCAT agriculture programs are training students on the basics of agriculture careers as well as on the technological advances that farmers will need to know in order to sustain their operations.”