May 8, 2006

Partnership to provide agricultural education across Indiana

Ivy Tech will offer associate's degrees in business administration with an agribusiness concentration, starting at some locations this fall. Graduates of this program could pursue jobs in agriculture-related fields in the areas of sales and manufacturing. Ivy Tech will soon determine which campuses will offer the courses in the 2006-07 academic year.

"This partnership will help provide access to agricultural education in areas of the state that may need additional learning opportunities," said Dale Whittaker, associate dean and director of academic programs for Purdue Agriculture.

"By partnering with Ivy Tech and Vincennes, we've found a way to supply the agricultural industry with additional resources and help keep some of our youth in Indiana who might otherwise pursue similar programs out of state."

The content for the agricultural courses at Ivy Tech will be designed in consultation with Purdue faculty and will be taught by approved instructors accredited in those fields. College credit for approved agriculture courses also will transfer to Purdue for students who decide to pursue additional studies.

"Purdue is the leader in agriculture in our state, and this partnership can only benefit all of us," said Mary Ostrye, dean of academic affairs at Ivy Tech in Lafayette, Ind. Ivy Tech worked with an advisory board and advice from Purdue Agriculture to help develop its program.

"We plan to bring some students into the system to study agriculture who may not be ready for a university setting. We want to get them excited about education and hope that many of our students will eventually go on to Purdue to earn bachelor's degrees."

In addition to the agribusiness degree, Ivy Tech also plans to develop a more technically focused agriculture degree program that would include curriculum in animal, crop and horticultural production.

"In investigating the need for these programs, we talked to many people in the industry who mentioned the desire to see instruction offered that would prepare individuals to work in agricultural production jobs, with some basic knowledge of animal care and pesticide application, for example," Ostrye said.

Vincennes has a long-standing partnership in agriculture education with Purdue Agriculture through the VU/Purdue Cooperative Agriculture Transfer Program, celebrating its 50th anniversary. The VU agriculture major will transfer into more than 40 Purdue majors. Purdue maintains a faculty member on site at VU for program coordination, student advising and teaching. In addition, VU offers associate's of science programs in agribusiness, horticulture technology and John Deere equipment service.

"We are excited about our new partnership and what it means to ag education in Indiana," said Richard Shippee, dean of the science and mathematics division at VU. Under the new agreement, VU plans to expand agricultural opportunities for students in the areas of biochemistry, biotechnology and agricultural engineering, as well as develop new dual-credit programs with high schools.

Purdue Extension, which has offices in all 92 Indiana counties, will provide support for the new academic programs. "We will help identify instructors in some areas and may contribute program ideas that enhance the educational offerings," said David Petritz, associate dean and director of Purdue Extension.

Purdue Agriculture consists of the College of Agriculture, Purdue Extension, Agricultural Research Programs and state services, such as the Indiana State Chemists office and Animal Disease and Diagnostic Laboratory.

Ivy Tech is the state's second-largest public post-secondary institution, with 23 campuses throughout Indiana and more than 73,000 students enrolled in the spring semester. Ivy Tech offers courses and programs that transfer to other colleges and universities in the state and training programs aligned with community needs.

VU is a public, comprehensive community college that provides associate's degrees and certificate programs in academic and occupational majors that lead to transfer to four-year universities or to entry into the work force. In addition, in 2004 VU was authorized to offer selected baccalaureate programs.

Writer: Beth Forbes, (765) 494-2722, forbes@purdue.edu

Sources: Dale Whittaker, (765) 494-8472

Mary Ostrye, (765) 269-5275

David Petritz, (765) 494-8489

Ag Communications: (765) 494-2722;
Beth Forbes, forbes@purdue.edu
Agriculture News Page

Purdue Agriculture

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