Agriculture Program featured by Country Folks Magazine
Country Folks, a weekly publication serving the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic agriculture industries featured Alfred State College’s Center for Organic Sustainable Agriculture (COSA).
The college farm and organic dairy herd received Dairy of Distinction Award in 2021 and has 55 milking cows and 70 replacements being raised. COSA features a DeLavalV300 robotic milking machine, and the milk produced is marketed to Organic Valley in Batavia, NY.
Alfred State offers associate degrees in agricultural automation and robotics, agricultural business, agricultural technology, and veterinary technology. The college also offers a bachelor’s degree in agricultural entrepreneurship.
Alfred State spring poetry event deemed a success
Nearly two dozen attendees shared poetry at the English and Humanities Department spring poetry event. Current students, faculty, administration, college council members, and alumni shared original or favorite poems.
Held each semester, the poetry reading event in the Allegany Room allows an open microphone for all in the college community to share. The event featured music by David Anschutz, a variety of desserts from the culinary arts, and student artwork.
Travis Matteson, assistant professor in the English and Humanities Department, was excited in the turnout and that new Alfred State president Dr. Steven Mauro was able to attend and participate in the event. "Students, faculty, and staff were thrilled to extend a poetic welcome to the incoming president, and we are grateful for his support. It sends a strong message to the students about the power of poetry to bring people together."
Many of the original poems recited by students have been submitted for inclusion in Ergo, the literary and artistic publication of Alfred State that is published each semester.
Forensic Science Technology program granted continued accreditation
The Forensic Science Education Accreditation Commission (FEPAC) has granted the Alfred State College (ASC) forensic science technology program a second 5-year full accreditation.
FEPAC accredited programs have been rigorously reviewed and found to meet the standards for quality forensic science education. Choosing an accredited program is added assurance that your education will assist you in establishing a career in forensic sciences by meeting the requirements of employers in the laboratory.
Alfred State completed the application process, completed a detailed self-study, hosted two FEPAC site team members for a site visit, and a final report was submitted. At the annual meeting of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences in Seattle, WA the entire board of commissioners met to review the final report and awarded continued full accreditation status to ASC.
Director of the Forensic Science Technology program Wayne Bensley credits the tireless work by the faculty and staff of the program since its inception. “By earning another 5-year full accreditation award from FEPAC, Alfred State can say that our forensic science technology program is among the best in the country. As there are fewer than 30 full accredited undergraduate forensic science programs in the United States, the forensic science technology program at Alfred State has earned the same distinction as many larger universities.”
The mission of the Forensic Science Education Programs Accreditation Commission (FEPAC) is to maintain and to enhance the quality of forensic science education through a formal evaluation and recognition of college-level academic programs. The primary function of the Commission is to develop and to maintain standards and to administer an accreditation program that recognizes and distinguishes high quality undergraduate and graduate forensic science programs.
“I am especially proud of the current students, who participated in the site visit, as well as the alumni of the program, many of whom are employed by crime labs across the country.”
First accredited in 2016, the new accreditation for the program runs through January 2027.
Showmanship Competition a success at the farm
The Alfred State College (ASC) Agriculture and Veterinary Technology Department recently held a successful Showmanship Competition at the college farm. Students showcased horses, goats, and dairy cows.
The event started with competition in each of the three animal classes. Champions were named in each category and those competitors advanced to the grand championship.
Anna Blessing (Schenectady, NY) was named the champion of the horse competition while Madison Harrington (Elba, NY) took the top spot in the goat division.
Abigail Beidel (Newville, PA), Emily Crooks (Hamlin, NY), Sarah Keehan (Fultonville, NY), and Nicholas Marvin (Lake Placid, NY) advance out of their classes into the championship round of the dairy competition. In the championship round, Beidel and Marvin moved on the championship round.
In the championship round, Madison Harrington was named Master Showman while Nicholas Marvin earned Reserve Master Showman honors.
Philip Schroeder, department chair of the agriculture and veterinary technology department was pleased with the event. “This year’s Showmanship Competition was a great opportunity for our students to show what they have learned and have fun working with the animals. We are very proud of every student who competed!”
Virginia Chamberlain, the college farm manager, and Bryce Hamilton, who works on a 65-cow dairy farm in Attica served as the judges.
The event was one of three events at the farm this spring. The College Agricultural Leaders Club hosted a dairy consignment sale of over 100 animals and the farm hosted local high school students for an experience fair. At the experience fair students met with ten agricultural businesses, toured the facilities, and interacted with current students in the Agricultural programs.
