Progress 07/15/06 to 07/14/09
Outputs
OUTPUTS: This represents the final report for Trinidad State Junior College (TSJC)'s Agribusiness/Agritechnology project. During the project period of July 2006 - July 2009, the agribusiness and agriculture technology curriculum were developed and submitted for program approval from the Colorado Community College System. Final program approval was received on March 12, 2007. Curriculum for the agribusiness and agriculture technology program was implemented in the spring semester of 2007 with three new classes. Guest lectures were scheduled and delivered to students throughout the project period. Lectures included topics like Colorado water, Colorado Division of Water Recourses, Rio Grande Water Commissioner, San Luis Valley Rural Electric Cooperative, a local farm supply cooperative, and regional tax accountant who specialized in agriculture taxes. Students participated in the delivery of farm safety workshops, elementary and secondary school visits. The curriculum models were developed after inventory of current course offerings. The review process began through the observation of curriculum delivered by other rural two-year colleges, consulting the model content standards for agriculture education in Colorado, and analyzing the skills needed by agriculturists in the region. The approval and implementation of both curriculums took longer than anticipated by the project director and investigator. The final approval delay caused the program to be implemented one semester behind schedule. Articulation and recruiting were actively pursued each year of the project. meeting with secondary agriculture program instructors as well as discussions with four-year institutions were the focus of this objective. In total the program served 57 students who were awarded certificates. In addition, TSJC entered into an articulation agreement with Western State College of Colorado in March of 2009 in several areas including Environmental Biology, Biology and Chemistry. In 2010, TSJC entered into addtional articulation agreements with Colorado State University in Business Administration. PARTICIPANTS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period. TARGET AUDIENCES: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: The project Director, Tom Scarlett retired from TSJC in September 2008. He continued to work for TSJC as a contract employee through December 2008.
Impacts
The project outcomes and impacts for the project period included the following goals related to developing agribusiness and agriculture technology curriculum: Objective 1: Develop agribusiness curriculum that is academically rigorous, with strong emphasis on practical, hands-on applicatiton of the underlying concepts and principles learned in coursework. Approved by CCCS 3/2007 Objective 2: Develop agriculture technology curriculum that is academically rigorous with strong emphasis on practical, hands-on application of the underlying concepts and principles learned in coursework. Approved by CCCS 3/2007 Objective 3: Develop an active, effective, successful recruiting program focused especially on underrepresented students. 19 regional high schools were visited each year. More than 15 College fairs were attended each year. Recruiting strategies included in person visits with prospective students, individual follow-up from the recruiter or instructor with the prospective student, TSJC application information correspondence and assistance with financial applications and registration processes. Recruiters and Ag Business Instructor actively worked with students and agriculture businesses throughout the project period. Objective 4: Provide internship, work-study and other educational opportunities outside of the classroom for students in the degree programs to reinforce and enhance concepts and principles learned in coursework. TSJC provided more than five internship and educational opportunities outside the classroom each year to all enrolled students. All 57 students participated in workshops, attended guest lectures and visited off campus sights throughout the project period. Objective 5: Host panel discussions, workshops and presentations to provide students the opportunity to learn more about careers in agriculture. Speakers on the panels will represent various career paths available in agriculture. TSJC hosted two large scale workshops including the TSJC Red Carpet event and TSJC Career Fair each project year. These events were attended by more than 400 students. Students were provided the opportunity to meet instructors, talk to advisors and explore their interest in Agriculture programs and certificate opportunities at TSJC. Objective 6: Develop articulation agreements with four-year universities to allow seamless transfer and transition for students pursuing baccalaureate degrees in agriculture fields of study. TSJC had discussions with representatives from Colorado State University, Fort Lewis College and Adams State College to identify opportunities to articulate degrees. Unfortunately, the agreements did not result in an Agriculture specific articulation. However, TSJC did articluate with Western State College in March 2009 in the area of Environmental Biology, Biology and Chemistry. In addition, in 2010 TSJC entered into additional articuation agreements with Colorado State University in Business Administration.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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Progress 07/15/07 to 07/14/08
Outputs
OUTPUTS: The Trinidad State Junior College (TSJC) Agribusiness and Agriculture Technology Program was designed to develop curriculum and increase enrollment and completion in agribusiness and ag production technology programs. Project objectives for 2007 - 2008 included: Objective 3: Develop an active, effective, successful recruiting program focused especially on underrepresented students. A majority of TSJC's student population is underrepresented. In Fall 2008 50% of the TSJC student population self identified as low-income and first generation at the Alamosa Campus. During the project year TSJC recruiters physically went to 19 school districts in the region to promote agriculture programs and TSJC. TSJC sent representatives to recruiting events throughout Colorado and Northern New Mexico. The recruiting strategy included in person visits with prospective students, individual follow up from the recruiter or instructor with the prospective student, TSJC application information correspondence and assistance with financial applications and registration processes. Recruiters and faculty actively worked with students and agriculture businesses in the region throughout the year. Objective 4: Provide internship, work-study and other educational opportunities outside of the classroom for students in the degree programs to reinforce and enhance concepts and principles learned in coursework. During the project year, TSJC provided internship and educational opportunities outside the classroom to all enrolled students. TSJC received feedback from employers and students that reinforced the value of these off campus experiences. Objective 5: Host panel discussions, workshops and presentations to provide students the opportunity to learn more about careers in agriculture. Speakers on the panels will represent various career paths available in agriculture. During the project year, TSJC hosted two large scale workshops including the TSJC Red Carpet event and the TSJC Career Fair. These events were attended by more than 400 students. Students were provided the opportunity to meet instructors, talk to advisors and explore their interest in Agriculture programs and certificate opportunities at TSJC. Objective 6: Develop articulation agreements with four-year universities to allow seamless transfer and transition for students pursuing baccalaureate degrees in agriculture fields of study. During the project period, TSJC had discussions with representatives from Adams State College to identify opportunities to articulate degrees. Unfortunately, the agreements were not finalized with four-year institutions during this project period. However, articulation agreements are reflected on as an output on the final report. Outputs for the program supported the goals and objectives of the project. Information about the TSJC Ag Business and Agtechnology programs were disseminated to traditional and non-traditional students as well as the greater San Luis Valley Community. PARTICIPANTS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period. TARGET AUDIENCES: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Ms. Leslie Pearson was identified on the original application as a investigator for the project. Ms. Pearson left TSJC in August 2007. The roles and responsibilites of Ms. Pearson were shifted to Mr. Ray Hinton, Agriculture Business Faculty and Mr. Joe Ribaudo the Associate Dean of Industrial Technology.
Impacts
The project outcomes and impacts for the 2007 - 2008 year included the following goals: Objective 3: Develop an active, effective, successful recruiting program focused especially on underrepresented students. During the project year TSJC recruiters physically went to 19 school districts in the region to promote Agriculture programs and Trinidad State Junior College. The recruiting strategy included in person visits with prospective students, individual follow up from recruiters and instructor with the prospective students, TSJC application information correspondence and assistance with financial applications and registration processes. TSJC recruiters and faculty actively worked with students and agriculture businesses in the region throughout the year. Objective 4: Provide internship, work-study and other educational opportunities outside of the classroom for students in the degree programs to reinforce and enhance concepts and principles learned in coursework. During the project year, TSJC provided internship and educational opportunities outside the classroom to all Financial Aid eligible and enrolled students. TSJC received feedback from employers and students that reinforced the value of these off campus experiences. Objective 5: Host panel discussions, workshops and presentations to provide students the opportunity to learn more about careers in agriculture. Speakers on the panels will represent various career paths available in agriculture. During the project year, TSJC hosted two large scale workshops including the TSJC Red Carpet event and the TSJC Career Fair. These events were attended by more than 400 students. Students were provided opportunities to meet agriculture instructors, advisors and explore their interest in Agriculture programs at TSJC. Objective 6: Develop articulation agreements with four-year universities to allow seamless transfer and transition for students pursuing baccalaureate degrees in agriculture fields of study. During the project period, TSJC had discussions with representatives from Adams State College and Colorado State University to identify articulation opportunities. The agreements were not finalized during the project year. However, the final report reflects that articulation has been created with four-year institutions. Results included: Number of students contacted with follow up phone calls or letters:More than 50 students expressed interest in Ag/Business and Agtechnology programs and received direct follow up. Number of recruiting events attended: More than 50 high schools visited; more than 15 fairs and promotional events attended. Number of Ag/Business and Agtechnology majors in 2007 - 2008: 25 Number of work-study/educational opportunities outside the classroom:All 25 students were offered work-study and educaitonal opportunitites outsident the classroom. Number of panel discussions/workshops/presentations provided:2 workshops (Job Fair and Red Carpet), 400 students in attendance
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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Progress 07/15/06 to 07/14/07
Outputs
The agribusiness and agriculture technology curriculum were developed and submitted for program approval from the Colorado Community College System Office (CCCSO). Final program approval was received on March 12, 2007. The curriculum for the agribusiness and agriculture technology program was implemented in the spring semester of 2007 with three new classes being offered. Two guest lectures were scheduled and delivered to the seven students on Trinidad State Junior College's (TSJC) Alamosa Campus. One guest lecture on Colorado water was scheduled and delivered to the seven students on TSJC's Alamosa Campus. The curriculum models were developed after reviewing the present assets of TSJC. The review process began through the observation of curriculum delivered by other rural two-year colleges, consulting the model content standards for agriculture education in Colorado, and analyzing the skills needed by agriculturists in the San Luis Valley of Colorado. The approval and
implementation of both curriculums took longer than anticipated by the project director and co-director. The delay in final approval postponed the implementation of the two curriculums by one semester. Objectives one and two have been met and will be reviewed annually as needed to achieve the program outcome of educating students and meeting the goal of transferability. Articulation discussions have been held with two TSJC secondary agriculture program instructors as well as a program presentation to the Colorado Vocational Agriculture Teachers Association with 70 secondary agriculture education instructors from Colorado in attendance. Ten individual recruiting visits with students have been made prior to the students enrolling in the Animal Science class held in the spring of 2007. Two agriculture courses were offered for the spring 2007 semester on the Trinidad campus and one course on the Alamosa campus. The Animal Sciences class offered on the Alamosa campus had seven students
enrolled, three were nontraditional gender, two were Hispanic, and two were traditional students. The two traditional students were concurrently enrolled with Monte Vista School District. Unfortunately, no students enrolled in the either of the courses offered at the Trinidad campus. Seven students have participated in three field trips to three different livestock operations during the spring semester of 2007 and an Animal Health and Nutrition Workshop held in Alamosa High School education facility. Four students participated in the Southern Rocky Mountain Agricultural Conference and Trade Fair. Students attended workshops that presented and agricultural issues of the Southern Rocky Mountain region and received a taste of the agriculture occupations that are available in this region. In summary, seven students participated in three field trips and two workshops. Seven students received a part-time agriculture placement during spring semester 2007. Objective four is being met in part
with the educational field trips even though the internships have not yet materialized. As more students are trained the total objective can be met.
PRODUCTS: A brochure was developed to advertise and promote the agribusiness program. This brochure was mailed to high schools in the TSJC service area and distributed to students at career fairs, Pueblo Home and Garden Show, and during Octoberfest (recruiting event held on campus in the fall). Approximately 400 brochures for the program have been distributed. An agriculture program scholarship application form was created and distributed from fall 2006 through the present.
OUTCOMES: Two agriculture courses were offered for the spring 2007 semester on the Trinidad campus and one course on the Alamosa campus. The Animal Sciences class offered on the Alamosa campus had seven students enrolled, three were nontraditional gender, two were Hispanic, and two were traditional students. Unfortunately, there were no students enrolled in the Trinidad courses. Two agriculture courses are offered for the fall 2007 semester on the Trinidad campus and seven classes are offered on the Alamosa Campus. An initial discussion on a transfer agreement has been held with Adams State College.
DISSEMINATION ACTIVITIES: Nine students took part in presentations from Colorado Division of Water Resources, a Rio Grande Water Commissioner, a board member of the San Luis Valley Rural Electric Cooperative, a board member of the Monte Vista Cooperative ( a local farm supply cooperative), and a local tax accountant specializing in agricultural taxes. Two students participated in the delivery of a farm safety workshop held in Monte Vista. The farm safety workshop was provided jointly by many agriculture entities in the San Luis Valley for elementary and secondary students from the 14 San Luis Valley School districts. Objective five is behind schedule with the first panel discussion because the first discussion period was not held during National Future Farmers of America (FFA) week 2007. The delay in program approval and implementation resulted in the first panel discussion not being held as scheduled. However, five other presentations were still held.
FUTURE INITIATIVES: The special population representatives at TSJC are developing two lists of prospective students from the traditional age students at the local high schools and non-traditional age and gender post-secondary aged students. Currently, two agriculture courses are offered for the fall 2007 semester on the Trinidad campus and seven classes are offered on the Alamosa Campus. The curriculum at both TSJC campuses will be further refined and implemented during the grant period. Initial discussions on transfer agreements have been held with Adams State College and Colorado State University; however a formal agreement has not been reached at this time. Adams State College began offering a Bachelor of Science in AgriBusiness. Negotiations for an articulation agreement with Fort Lewis College in Durango or Panhandle State University in Oklahoma are planned for the 2007-2008 academic years. Objective six is on schedule to be completed as planned. This project is on track, but
behind schedule regarding implementation and expenditure of funds. One Project co-director has left the employ of Trinidad State Junior College and a new co-director has been located. TSJC is developing a plan to move forward after requesting an extension of time with some specific timelines to complete the project as outlined. Trinidad State Junior College now has one full time Agriculture Education faculty member on staff at TSJC's Valley Campus in Alamosa.
Impacts
Nineteen new agriculture courses have been added to Trinidad State Junior College to be offered over the course of the next two years. Seven students have either retained or improved their employability skills since they have enrolled in the program in January 2007.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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