By Andi Anderson
Clark State College is leading an exciting initiative to create a national agriculture center for two-year colleges through a new partnership with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).
This $9 million, four-year program aims to connect more students with agricultural career pathways, providing essential resources and practical learning experiences that help them succeed in the industry.
According to Adam Parrillo, Dean of the School of Business and Applied Technologies at Clark State, the center will serve as a critical resource for community colleges across the country, providing support and new ideas.
“It allows us to establish something significant for our colleges and share resources to support schools in agriculture education,” Parrillo explained. This initiative will enable Clark State to offer valuable student internships, leadership programs, and cover student travel to attend an annual conference that enriches their hands-on learning experience.
Through this program, students will be prepared for a range of agriculture careers, including positions as farm operators, agriculture engineers, irrigation technicians, and agronomists.
Parrillo noted that the USDA is working closely with the college to ensure employment opportunities for graduates as demand grows in the agriculture industry for skilled workers.
The Community College Alliance for Agriculture Advancement (C2A3), a collaborative effort involving other Midwestern community colleges, helped Clark State secure this partnership with the USDA.
C2A3 member institutions, including Central Lakes College in Minnesota and Illinois Central College, work together to enhance agricultural education programs and share resources for faculty and student development.
Arly Drake, an associate professor of agriculture at Clark State, emphasized that these shared resources allow institutions to teach more efficiently and stay updated on industry trends. This collaboration also builds a stronger agriculture workforce that will support future industry needs.
While no specific timeline has been announced, Parrillo expressed optimism about the center’s potential impact on the agriculture industry and communities nationwide.
This national agriculture center represents a significant step forward in training the next generation of agricultural professionals.
Photo Credit: usda
Categories: Ohio, Education, Government & Policy