Precision Agriculture Program
West Campus Location |
Precision agriculture has moved
traditional farming to an increasingly higher level of sophistication due in
large part to the use of the global positioning system and other digital systems
in day-to-day farming operations. Information technology has made the role of
precision agriculture technicians indispensable to successful agricultural
producers. Information technology has allowed these professionals to help food
and feed producers make better decisions leading to lower production costs,
higher levels of productivity and higher yield, while minimizing environmental
impact. If blending an outdoor career with today's IT system relates to your
career aspirations, let the Precision Agriculture Program at Lansing Community
College provide you with the academic preparation and training you need to
pursue a successful career in the agribusiness industry.
Precision agriculture technicians are employed by agricultural
cooperatives, agribusiness consultants, farm chemical firms and vendors, farm
associations and other industries related to agriculture. The average starting
salary for precision agriculture technicians is between $28,000 and $38,000 per
year depending on the technician's employer and his/her level of experience,
proper certification and licenses.
LCC offers both the Precision Agriculture Associate in Applied Science
Degree and a certificate of achievement in the same area. We have an outstanding
curriculum and an equally outstanding team of faculty members who know the
industry and take pride in the opportunity to teach you the latest information
and techniques used today. They care about you and want you to succeed.
Courses are offered throughout the year. Many are offered evenings as
well as days to accommodate your schedule. Spring semester begins in January,
summer semester begins in June, and fall classes begin in August.
We want you in our classroom next semester. If you need direction on how
to begin at LCC, let us know what's on your mind and what you need from LCC to
get started. We've got a place waiting for you in our classroom that can lead
you to a great career start. For specific information about our Precision
Agriculture Program offerings,
contact us online.
Landscape, Horticulture, Agriculture Programs 2008 Advisory Board
|
Name |
Company |
| Gale Arent | Michigan Floriculture Growers Council |
| Tim Banfield | Outdoor Living, Lansing Community College, Instructor |
| Diane Breitung-Pratt | Lansing Community College, Instructor |
| Rod Crittenden | Michigan Floral Association |
| Amy Frankmann | Michigan Nursery and Landscape Association |
| Bob Ford | Landscape Architects and Planners |
| Laura Percival | Eaton Intermediate School District |
| JaNice Marshall | Lansing Community College, EDBT Chair |
| Ellyn Meyers | Lansing Community College, Instructor |
| Larry Princinsky | Lansing Community College, Instructor |
| Jim Radabaugh | Lansing Community College, Instructor |
| Randy Showerman |
Michigan State University Department of Community Agriculture Recreation and Resource Studies |
| Tom Smith | Michigan Turf Grass Foundation |
| George VanAtta | VanAtta Greenhouse |
| Bob Welch | Lansing Community College, Professor |
Degrees, Certificates and Courses Agriculture Technology Program
To view degree and certificate requirements click on the curriculum code below.
|
Code |
|
Degrees and Certificates |
|
|
Precision Agriculture, Associate in Applied Science Degree |
|
|
Precision Agriculture, Certificate of Achievement |
Course Offerings
Many of the courses listed below are offered at LCC throughout the academic year and can be taken to upgrade current skills or fulfill degree and certificate requirements. Visit the Course Schedule and Registration page for information pertaining to courses available during a particular semester.
AGRI 101 Principles
of Precision Agritechnology
AGRI 106 Disease & Insects of
Agrinomic Crops
AGRI 175 Special Topics in Precision
Agriculture
AGRI 200 Vegetation and Weed
Management
AGRI 201 Principles of Sustainable
Agriculture
AGRI 202 Agricultural Soils and Crop
Management
AGRI 211 Agricultural Crop Production
AGRI 212 Vegetable Crop Production
AGRI 213 Agri Site Specific Research
Technology
Career Facts - Precision Agriculture Technician
What does a precision agriculture technician do?
A precision agriculture technician is involved in applying the latest
technologies such as geographic information systems and global
positioning systems to the agricultural production and business
management of today's agribusiness. The technician will be
involved with pest scouting, pesticide application, custom application,
computer mapping and remote sensing as well as computer analysis of
soils, fertilizers, pests and weather related activity.
What types of skills are required?
Precision agriculture technicians need to understand basic plant
functions and growth as well as be able to identify insects, diseases,
micro-organisms and their control. Integrated pest
management and monitoring, plant identification of agronomic crops and
weeds, computer technology, global positioning systems, yield monitors,
weather satellites and geographic information systems are also becoming
increasingly important in the agriculture industry. Knowledge of
this technology and how it applies to business management is critical.
Related areas include crop biotechnology and food systems.
Where are they employed?
Precision agriculture technicians are employed by agricultural
cooperatives, agribusiness consultants, farm chemical firms and vendors,
farm associations and industries related to agriculture.
What do they earn?
The average starting salary for precision agriculture technicians is
between $18,000 and $70,000 per year depending on the technician's
employer and his/her level of experience, proper certification and
licenses.
What degrees are available?
An associate in applied science degree is available in Precision
Agriculture and Sustainable Development as well as a Certificate of
Achievement.
Career Pathway
Agriculture Technology is part of the Engineering/Manufacturing and
Industrial Career Pathway of the Michigan Career Preparation System.
Faculty / Staff - Agriculture Technology Program
| Stephen Vossler Interim Department Chair vossles@lcc.edu (517)483-1346 |
|
| Sydney Glasscoe Lead Support (517) 483-5338 glasscos@lcc.edu |
|
| Ellyn Meyers, Instructor meyerse@lcc.edu (517)483-1336 |
|
| Katherine Hanson, Academic Advisor hansonk@lcc.edu (517)483-7083 |
|
| Robert Gardner, Instructor garnder@lcc.edu (517)483-1336 |
Related Links - Precision Agriculture Program
GIS Development and Precision Agriculture
Association of Women in Agriculture
United States Department of Agriculture
