Precision Agriculture
Precision Agriculture is a new program at Highland Community College
What is Precision Ag?
Precision Agriculture is the practice of using remote sensing, soil sampling and information management tools to improve production. Precision agriculture is about whole farm management with the goal of optimizing returns on inputs while preserving resources. It relies on growing technologies like satellite imagery, information technology and geospatial tools.
Why consider Precision Ag?
Precision Ag is used more and more in local farming operations. With the increasing availability of such mapping technologies as GPS (Global Positioning Systems) and GIS (Geographical Information Systems), Precision Ag technicians will install, operate, troubleshoot and repair precision ag systems. Technicians will also use the advanced processing software to collect, visualize, and analyze data.
Students completing a certificate or degree program in Precision Ag will be more competent in their own farm operations or obtain positions such as Precision Ag Technicians (implement dealers), Crop Specialists, Nutrient Management Specialists, Precision Ag Department Managers, Precision Agronomists, and Precision Farming Coordinators.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, jobs in Precision Ag are expected to grow 10-19% from now through 2020. The average salary for someone working in this field is just over $40,000 per year.
What degrees are offered?
HCC offers an 18-hour certificate, 45-hour certificate, and an AAS degree in Precision Agriculture. Please refer to the website for a complete explanation of these options at http://highlandcc.edu/pages/precision-agriculture.
Get Started This Fall on your Precision Ag Degree
|
Course # |
Course Name |
Credit |
Location |
|
AB 114 |
Agriculture Orientation |
2 |
Online, Wamego |
|
AB 126 |
Principles of Agronomy |
3 |
Western Center, Wamego, IDL |
|
Eng 101 |
College English |
3 |
Any HCC Site or online |
|
Eng 102 or SP 106 |
College English II or Public Speaking |
3 |
Any HCC Site or online |
|
PE |
Any PE course |
1 |
Any HCC Site or online |
|
AB 227 |
Agriculture Microcomputers |
3 |
Highland |
|
PS 107 |
General Chemistry w/ Lab |
5 |
Highland, Holton, Perry, Wamego, and Online |
|
Humanities and Fine Arts |
Any course listed on degree sheet |
3 |
Any HCC Site or online |
|
Social & Behavioral Science |
Any course listed on degree sheet |
3 |
Any HCC Site or online |
Choose The Program That Fits Your Needs
|
45 Hour Certificate Courses-Precision Ag with Broad Ag Background |
||
|
Course # |
Course Name |
Credit |
|
AB 114 |
Agriculture Orientation |
2 |
|
AB 126 |
Principles of Agronomy |
3 |
|
AB 128 |
Agriculture Electronics Devices & Systems |
3
|
|
AB 130* |
Precision Farming Systems |
3 |
|
AB 132* |
Advanced Precision Farming Software |
3 |
|
AB 134* |
Advanced Precision Farming Hardware |
3 |
|
AB 136* |
Introduction to Geographic Information Systems |
3 |
|
AB 138 |
Remote Sensing |
3 |
|
AB 140 |
Principles of ArcView |
3 |
|
AB 142* |
Mapping for Decision Making |
3 |
|
AB 144 |
Advanced Geographic Information Systems |
3 |
|
AB 203 |
Soils and Soils Lab |
4 |
|
AB 224 |
Range Management |
3 |
|
AB 227 |
Agriculture Microcomputers I |
3 |
|
AB 244* |
Applications of Global Positioning Systems |
2 |
|
AB 199* |
Individual Study Project in Agriculture |
1 |
|
18 Hour Precision Ag Certificate |
||
|
Students who want to complete the 18-hour Precision Ag Certificate will need to complete the asterisked (*) courses above. |
||
|
Precision AG AAS Degree (63 Hours) |
||
|
The following 23 hours of coursework and 40 of the hours listed above will need to be completed to attain the AAS Degree in Precision Agriculture |
||
|
Eng 101 |
College English |
3 |
|
Eng 102 or SP 106 |
College English II or Public Speaking |
3 |
|
PE |
Any PE course |
1 |
|
AB 227 |
Agriculture Microcomputers |
3 |
|
AB 114 |
Agriculture Orientation |
2 |
|
PS 107 |
General Chemistry w/ Lab |
5 |
|
Humanities and Fine Arts |
Any course listed on degree sheet |
3 |
|
Social & Behavioral Science |
Any course listed on degree sheet |
3 |
| 1 |