CVTC Expands Agriculture Programs

Eau Claire, WI – 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 October 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.

“We are seeing increasing specialization in agriculture, and our program changes reflect that,” said Adam Wehling, CVTC dean of agriculture and energy. “Students will now have the opportunity concentrate their studies in agronomy or animal sciences, or they can still combine the two by earning technical diplomas in each. The Farm Operations program also offers a convenient alternative that can meet the needs of many workers in the ag industry.”

An additional Horticulture Technician technical diploma will also be added to the Landscape, Plant and Turf Management program in 2017.

Chippewa Valley Technical College delivers superior, progressive technical education which improves the lives of students, meets the workforce needs of the region, and strengthens the larger community. Campuses are located in Chippewa Falls, Eau Claire, Menomonie, Neillsville and River Falls. CVTC serves an 11-county area in west central Wisconsin. CVTC is part of the Wisconsin Technical College System (WTCS) and is one of 16 WTCS colleges located throughout the state.