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Agricultural Technology

Application Code: 
0510
Degree Received: 
Associate in Applied Science (AAS)
Academic Department: 
Agriculture and Veterinary Technology
Description: 

The agricultural technology program provides students the flexibility to select elective courses to fit their career goals. Students can choose concentrations of courses in animal science or plant science.

  • Animal science concentration ‑ students can elect courses to enhance their knowledge in animal agriculture and/or dairy science.
  • Plant science concentration ‑ students can elect courses to enhance their knowledge in crops and plant sciences, including fruit and vegetable production.

The careers related to agriculture are diverse and constantly changing for both conventional and organic farming practices.

Animal/Dairy Science Concentration

The animal science concentration is a progressive practical program emphasizing dairy cattle management. The program offers both managerial and hands-on experiences. This concentration's courses provide a science and business background. A strong emphasis is placed on application of these principles, with our 65 cow tie-stall dairy herd of registered Holsteins. The dairy complex features a milking parlor with integrated dairy cattle management software. The herd produces nearly 28,000 pounds of milk, more than 1,100 pounds of fat with a B.A.A. of more than 108.7 percent. The Alfred State College cows have the highest B.A.A. of any publicly-owned herd in the nation. Alternative species, including horses, pigs, alpacas, poultry, and sheep are also housed at the College Farm for instructional purposes.

Plant/Crops/Fruit/Vegetable Concentration

This curriculum emphasizes the management of the soil in order to increase production of food crops for both human and livestock consumption. Students are usually interested in crop farming or market gardening careers. Students will be taught conventional, natural, and organic food production systems. This concentration's courses that provide a science and business background. A strong emphasis is placed on application of sustainability principles on our farm, research plots, gardens, hydroponic systems, greenhouses, and high tunnels.

Showmanship Day

All students enrolled in agriculture classes truly enjoy participating in the annual showmanship activities each spring. Students can select a species of animal (cattle, horses, swine, alpacas, or sheep) to train, groom, and show in this annual competition. Family, friends, and alumni are invited to enjoy the competition and the awards BBQ following the showmanship contest.

Related Clubs and Activities

Students have the opportunity to participate in the Collegiate Agricultural Leaders (CAL) Club, Collegiate FFA, Equestrian Club, Dairy Judging Team, Agricultural Skills Day, Spring Fling Consignment Sale, Community Supported Agriculture projects, local foods projects, showmanship contests, and Sustainability Club.

Expenses

Textbooks are the primary expense with cost averaging $500 per year. Boots and coveralls are required for all farm-related activities.

Entrance Requirements & Recommendations: 

Required: Algebra (Math A)
Recommended: Geometry, Algebra 2/Trigonometry (Math B), Biology, Chemistry

Features & Facilities: 
  • Students can take courses in any agriculture program as well as other programs at Alfred State & Alfred University
  • Individual programs designed for each student based on needs/interests
  • Utilizes all facilities in the Ag Science building and college farm
  • Students may remain in agricultural technology or transfer to another agricultural program
Articulation Agreements: 

Graduates of the agricultural technology program have transferred to many four-year colleges and universities to continue their education. In recent years, this list of four year institutions has included Cornell University, Penn State University, University of Georgia, Delaware Valley College, Ohio State University, and the University of Wisconsin. Usually, an agricultural technology graduate can obtain a bachelor's degree with only two additional years of study. Students can also remain at Alfred State to transfer into the technology management BBA degree program.

Graduation Requirements: 

Students must:

  • successfully complete the prescribed sequence of courses
  • achieve a minimum index of 2.0 in their core courses
  • achieve a minimum index of 2.0 overall
  • be recommended by the department faculty
Career Opportunities: 
  • Owners, Operators, Managers, and Herdsmen for Dairy Cattle, and Meat Animal Farms
  • Salespeople and Consultants for Feed, Fertilizer, Agricultural, and Veterinary Supply Companies
  • Laboratory and Field Technicians for Artificial Insemination and Veterinary Supply Companies
  • [img_assist|nid=8001|title=going green image|desc=This program can lead to green careers.|link=url|url=http://www.alfredstate.edu/academics/programs-that-can-lead-to-green-car...|align=right|width=90|height=68]Inspectors of Agricultural Products
  • Fruit, Vegetable, and Field Crop Production
  • Food Industry
  • Agricultural Banking and Lending
  • Dairy Farm Inspectors
Transfer Opportunities: 

Students in the curriculum will also have an opportunity to transfer into the BBA technology management program at Alfred Sate College.  Also, many schools, including Cornell University, grant full credit to students wishing to transfer to four-year programs. A formal articulation agreement exists between Alfred State College and Cornell University for transfer options.

Collaborations

  • Wyoming County Dairy Institute (WDCI) Dairy Herdsmanship Training modules can be completed and applied toward college credit for the agricultural technology degree at Alfred State College.
  • Scholarship money is available to students in the agricultural programs at Alfred State College.
Typical Semester Layout: 

A typical first semester would consist of 16 academic hours which translates into approximately 24 class hours per week, 10 of which are in a laboratory situation and 14 in a lecture format. Subsequent semesters are comparable. For each hour spent in class, an additional two hours outside of class is usually required. The total academic week, therefore, may require as much as 60 hours in order to excel. Class sizes are small, ranging from 15 to no more than 30 in lectures and fewer than 15 in laboratories. All students are assigned an adviser who meets regularly with each advisee to plan the student's academic career, semester schedules, and to address any other counseling needs.

Animal Science Concentration

First Semestercredits
AGRI 3351 Live Animal Evaluation 1
ANSC 1204 Intro to Animal Sciece 4
AGRI 1002 Intro to Agriculture 2
AGPS 1103 Soils 3
  xxx3 English as advised 3
  xxx3 Gen Education Elective 3
      16
Second Semestercredits
ANSC 2114 Domestic Animal A & P 4
ANSC 3203 Dairy Cattle Production I OR  
  xxxx Animal Elective 3-4
BIOL 1304 Botany 4
  xxxx Agriculture elective(s) 3
  xxx3 Gen Education Elective 3
      17-18
Third Semestercredits
ANSC 3013 Animal Disease Control 3
AGEC 3213 Farm & Rural Management 3
AGPS 2113 Field & Forage Crops 3
  xxx3 Animal or Plant Agriculture elective 3
  xxx3 Gen Education Elective 3
      15
Fourth Semestercredits
  xxxx Agriculture or Transfer-related Elective 2-4
  xxxx Agriculture or Transfer-related Elective 3-4
  xxx3 Gen Education Elective 3
AGRI 4002 Seminar/Capstone Project 2
AGEC 4303 Rural Business Finance 3
      13-16

Suggested Agriculture or Transfer-related Electives:

Also required - One unit of Physical Education.

Plant Science Concentration

First Semestercredits
AGRI 1002 Introduction to Agriculture 2
ANSC 1204 Intro to Animal Sciece 4
AGPS 1103 Soils 3
  xxx3 English Elective as advised 3
  xxx3 Gen Education Elective (Math recommended) 3
      15
Second Semestercredits
AGRI 2012 Organic and Sustainable Agriculture 2
BIOL 1304 Botany 4
  xxx3 Agriculture Elective 3
  xxx3 General Education Elective 3
  xxx3 Business Elective 3
      15
Third Semestercredits
AGPS 2113 Field and Forage Crops 3
  xxx3 Agriculture Elective 3
AGEC 3213 Farm & Rural Management 3
AGPS 5102 Sustainable Vegetable Production 2
  xxx3 Agriculture Elective 3
  xxx3 General Education Elective 3
      17
Fourth Semestercredits
  xxxx Agriculture or Transfer-related Elective 3-4
  xxxx Agriculture or Transfer-related Elective 3-4
  xxx3 General Education Elective 3
AGRI 4002 Seminar/Capstone Project 2
AGEC 4303 Rural Business Finance 3
      14-16

Suggested Agriculture or Transfer-related Electives:

Also required - One unit of physical education.

Employment and Transfer Rate: 
100%
Employment and Transfer Survey Details: 
Survey Details200820092010
Receiving Degrees 1 4 13
Responding to Survey -- 4 (100%) 10 (77%)
Employed -- 1 (25%) 8 (80%)
Employed in Field -- 0 (0%) 8 (100%)
Transferred -- 2 (50%) 2 (20%)
Unemployed & Seeking Employment -- -- --
Unemployed & Not Seeking Employment -- 1 (25%) --
Employment and Transfer Salary Information: 

Prefer not to disclose (8)