Alfred State | Program | Agricultural Technology

AAS Degree - Code #0510

Dr. Philip Schroeder, Department Chair and Program Coordinator
Email: schroepd@alfredstate.edu

Careers related to agriculture are diverse and constantly changing. Today’s students need the flexibility to tailor a degree to suit their needs. That’s why our agricultural technology curriculum has been designed to let you select the elective courses that fit your career goals. You can choose concentrations of courses in animal science, enhancing your knowledge of animal agriculture and/or dairy science, or enhance your knowledge of crops and plant sciences, including fruit and vegetable production.

Advantages

Opportunities for hands-on experience with organic farming.
Animal science concentration is a progressive practical program emphasizing dairy cattle management and provides both a science and a business background.
Plant science concentration focuses on the management of soil to increase production of both human and animal food crops and the science and business behind it. It includes an emphasis on sustainability.

Program Student Learning Outcomes

Demonstrate essential technical knowledge of animal husbandry methods.
Demonstrate essential technical knowledge of crops, soils, and growing conditions.
Demonstrate the ability to analyze information, and compare and contrast agricultural management systems.
Demonstrate the ability to find and use information related to agricultural production systems.
Demonstrate written and oral communication skills appropriate for agricultural production systems.
Apply critical thinking and reasoning to agricultural business management.

Direct Entry Into Baccalaureate Degree Programs

Alfred State agricultural technology graduates may enter directly into either the agribusiness management BTech, interdisciplinary studies BTech, or the technology management BBA degree program.

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 a free-stall housed organic herd milked by a robot and our herds of Angus and Herford cattle, sheep, and meat goats. The farm also houses horses, pigs, and poultry that are used to extend learning opportunities for our students.

Plant/Crops/Fruit/Vegetable Concentration

This curriculum emphasizes management of the soil to increase production of food crops for both human and livestock consumption. Students are usually interested in crop farming or market gardening careers. Students are taught conventional, natural, and organic food production systems. This concentration's courses 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 barbecue 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.

Continuing Education Opportunities

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 and Cornell University for transfer options.

Occupational Opportunities

Owners, operators, managers, and herdsmen for dairy cattle and meat animal farms
Fruit, vegetable, and field crop production
Food industry
Salespeople and consultants for feed, fertilizer, agricultural, and veterinary supply companies
Agricultural banking and lending
Inspectors of agricultural products
Laboratory and field technicians for artificial insemination and veterinary supply companies
Dairy farm inspectors

Employment Statistics

Employment and continuing education rate of 100 percent – 89 percent are employed; 11% continued their education.

Entrance Requirements/Recommendations

Required: Algebra

Recommended: Geometry, Algebra 2, Biology, Chemistry

Office of Accessibility Services

Students who believe they need a reasonable accommodation to properly participate in this program may contact Melanie Ryan in the Office of Accessibility Services. This office may be contacted by email at oas@alfredstate.edu or by phone at 607-587-4506. Please keep in mind that some accommodations may take time to implement, so students seeking accommodations are encouraged to contact OAS as early as possible.

Agricultural Technology - AAS Degree

ANIMAL SCIENCE CONCENTRATION TYPICAL FOUR-SEMESTER PROGRAM

First

ANSC	1204	Introduction to Animal Science	4
AGRI	1001	Farm Practicum I	1
BIOL	1304	Botany	4
AGRI	3351	Live Animal Evaluation	1
COMP	1503	Writing Studies	3
GLST	2113	Global & Diverse Perspectives	3
			16

Second

ANSC	3203	Dairy Cattle Production I	3
		OR
ANSC	3103	Livestock Mgmt & Production	3
AGPS	1104	Soils	4
ANSC	2114	Dom Animal Anat & Phys	4
AGRI	2001	Farm Practicum II	1
SPCH	1083	Public Speaking	3
XXXX	xxx3	Agricultural Elective	3
			18

Third

AGPS	2113	Field & Forage Crops	3
ANSC	3013	Animal Disease Control	3
AGEC	3213	Farm & Rural Business Mgmt I	3
AGRI	3001	Farm Practicum III	1
XXXX	xxx3	Agriculture Elective	3
MATH	xxx3	MATH 1033, or 1104, or 1113, or 1123	3
			16

Fourth

AGEC	4303	Farm & Rural Business Mgmt II	3
AGRI	2101	Sophomore Seminar	1
AGRI	2013	Organic & Sustainable Ag Tech	3
		OR
BIOL	4254	General Microbiology	4
AGRI	4001	Farm Practicum IV	1
XXXX	xxx3	Ag or Transfer Elective	3
XXXX	xxx3	General Education Elective	3
			14-15

If full-time student, may cross register at AU for equestrian classes.

Suggested Agriculture or Transfer-Related Electives:

AGPS	3004	Soil Fertility	4
ANSC	3003	Feeds and Nutrition	3
ANSC	3223	Dairy Calf Management	3
ANSC	3103	Livestock Mgmt & Production	3
ANSC	3204	Dairy Cattle Production III	4
AGPS	5003	Integrated Pest Management	3
AGPS	5103	Sustainable Vegetb Prodtn Tech	3
AGPS	5113	Sustainable Fruit Production	3
AGRI	2013	Organic & Sustainable Ag Tech	3
AGRI	6103	Precision Agriculture	3
BIOL	2803	Environmental Science	3
BIOL	2801	Environmental Sciences Lab	1
BIOL	4254	General Microbiology	4
BIOL	6534	Genetics	4
CHEM	1114	General Chemistry I	4
MATH	xxxx

PLANT SCIENCE CONCENTRATION TYPICAL FOUR-SEMESTER PROGRAM