By Jamie Martin
Northeast Community College has been designated as the headquarters for a national agriculture education consortium, involving a cooperative between the U.S. Department of Agriculture - Natural Resources Conservation Service (USDA-NRCS) and the Community College Alliance for Agriculture Advancement (C2A3). This initiative, backed by a $9-million fund, will span four years and aims to enhance agricultural education across the U.S.
The consortium, originally formed by nine schools across eight states, will expand under this new funding. Tracy Kruse, vice president at Northeast, and executive director of the consortium, highlighted the goal of including at least 50 community and technical colleges by the end of the program.
The expansion will facilitate the development of region-specific ag education programs that member colleges can implement locally.
Astrid Martinez, from USDA-NRCS, emphasized that the consortium would focus on increasing student interest in agriculture with an eye towards filling USDA positions.
The educational push includes developing national skill standards in natural resource conservation, precision agriculture, and agronomy.
The funding will also enable ongoing applied research projects on issues like soil and water quality, which are integral to both rural and urban agriculture settings.
The consortium plans to bolster student experiences through internships and leadership opportunities closely tied to USDA, preparing them effectively for future careers in agriculture.
This strategic move not only aims to enrich educational offerings but also to align them closely with industry needs, ensuring that the next generation of agricultural professionals is well-prepared to tackle future challenges in the field.
Photo Credit: usda
Categories: National