Dr. Philip Schroeder, Chair
Phone : 607-587-3983
Administrative Assistant Phone : 607-587-4714
Email : schroepd@alfredstate.edu
Agriculture students participate in hands-on experiences working with crops, plants,
animals, facilities, and equipment. Graduates leave our programs with a true feel
for the industry they plan to enter. Veterinary technology students are prepared to
sit for the Veterinary Technology National Exam (VTNE) through intensive lecture and
laboratory courses. Passage of this exam is required for licensure as a veterinary
technician. Veterinary technology students are also required to complete a 240-hour
preceptorship (work experience), which gives them real, practical experience between
completing their first year and graduation. Students have many opportunities to help
tell the story of agriculture at college-hosted events for elementary and high school
students, educators, and the general public. Through the agricultural and veterinary
technology clubs, students help organize dairy and livestock shows, consignment sales,
judging competitions, agricultural skills contests, tours, and other educational events.
MISSION
The Department of Agriculture and Veterinary Technology will facilitate learning and
engage communities in the practices of sustainable food production and animal welfare.
We will develop graduates who will sustainably and profitably manage animals and natural
resources for a secure society.
FACILITIES
Agriculture Science Building – (A construction project will begin shortly to renovate this building) This facility
contains laboratories specializing in soils, botany, and animal anatomy and physiology.
A 5,300-square-foot greenhouse produces hydroponic vegetables, and herbs and contains
a tropical room, desert room, and plant propagation areas.
800-acre college farm – The farm serves as a field laboratory to provide practical instruction in production
agriculture and to produce feed for the college’s livestock. It is home to registered
dairy and beef herds, horses, swine, poultry, sheep, and meat goats used for instruction
in animal care and management. The farm is also used for soils, botany, feeds, and
nutrition, and field and forage crops classes. Students have the opportunity to work
on the farm as interns. Other facilities there focus on high-tunnel vegetable production,
row crop production, and agroforestry practices.
Center for Organic and Sustainable Agriculture (COSA) – The center, located at the college farm, features an organic dairy herd with which
students gain experience in management intensive grazing and a robotic milking system.
Other facilities include a 300-acre farm in Sonyea, where we produce forages.
Veterinary Technology Center – This state-of-the-art facility includes surgical and radiography laboratories, a
classroom area for Introduction to veterinary technology, animal health care and laboratory
animal management laboratories, and animal housing facilities.
