Progress 07/01/08 to 06/30/12
Outputs
OUTPUTS: The Introduction to Agriculture course was designed/developed by the Agriculture and Life Sciences Institute (ALSI) and the Dept. of Biology. The one-credit hour seminar course debuted fall, 2010 semester and has been taught for five continuous semesters with total of 57 students enrolled. Fall 2012 section has 16 students. The course will be taught every semester. Academic Services granted ALSI a formal academic affiliation with the Department of Biology. Efforts and responsibilities for food and agricultural course offerings, advisement, internships, funding, and networking with local employers is assigned to ALSI. Fifteen faculty/staff developed and infused the agriculture modules into 12 different courses in a variety of departments. A Career Advisement Guide was developed describing the coursework and specific transfer information for particular regional colleges/universities as well as information on specific career opportunities and areas of concentration within the broad scope of agriculture. A brochure and website regarding local agriculture careers were developed in 2009. The brochure has been made available at special events, libraries, and town halls within Monroe County, NY. The brochure includes information about food and agricultural careers and how to get additional information at MCC. A link to an electronic copy of this brochure is provided under the publications section. A professional development workshop at Cornell University in Ithaca, NY (06/10-11/10) was an opportunity for 9 MCC faculty/staff to receive agriculture training and experiences from Cornell faculty/staff. The main goal of this workshop was for the MCC faculty and staff to learn about the variety of educational and career opportunities for students and bring that information back to MCC for more effective advisement. Faculty and staff from SUNY Cobleskill traveled to MCC to exchange information and ideas to improve pathways in which MCC students could successfully transfer into Agricultural Programs at Cobleskill (10/09/09). An overview of agricultural programs and opportunities at Cornell University was presented to MCC faculty/staff (10/16/09). Faculty/staff from both institutions discussed and proposed processes to enhance transfer options. Professor Laura Penman (Biology, MCC) attended a two-week workshop at Cornell University on developing curricula for agriculture courses, specifically greenhouse techniques and management (summer, 2011). An Introduction to Greenhouse Management Course was subsequently been developed and offered at MCC. Materials, research and experience gained were disseminated in several ways including: classroom instruction, student advisement, faculty interaction with other academic institutions, distribution of printed materials, and website development. All information was publicly shared in oral presentations with North American Colleges and Teachers of Agriculture annual conferences, NYS Agribusiness Association, Finger Lakes Food Cluster Training Program, County of Monroe, NYS Food Processors Association, Rochester Academy of Science, NYS Dept. of Agriculture and Markets, and federal and state elected officials. PARTICIPANTS: The following Monroe Community College personnel participated on this project: Robert King (Director, Agriculture Life Sciences Institute; co-PI for grant), Timothy Tatakis (Biology Department; co-PI for grant), Michelle Bartell (Hospitality Department), Christian Boettrich (Office and Computer Programs Department), Jason Brown (Workforce Development) Gerald Brinkman (Hospitality Department), Jennifer Hill (Biology Department), Martha Kendall (Instructional Technologies), Jennifer Kinslow (Counseling and Advising Center), Robert Leopard (Biology Department), Jonathon Little (Chemistry/GeoSciences Department), Suzanne Long (Biology Department), Jennifer Markham (Biology Department), Marcia Marriott (Business Administration Department), Ernie Mellas (Biology Department), James Murphy (Biology Department), Laura Penman (Biology Department), John Rehkop (ESOL and Foreign Languages Department), Ronald Rood (ESOL and Foreign Languages Department), John Striebich (Business Administration Department), Paul Wakem (Biology Department), Michael Weingart (ESOL and Foreign Languages Department). TARGET AUDIENCES: The target audiences in this grant were identified previously in different sections of this report. In summary the following groups were served by this grant: Students at Monroe Community College, Faculty/Staff at Monroe Community College, Faculty/Staff at other regional colleges and Universities, the community at large. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: The original grant proposal indicated that development of a degree program in agriculture would be investigated. It soon became apparent that, given the diversity of course requirements of potential transfer institutions, a single A.S. degree program that would satisfy the needs of students interested in transfer to these different institutions would be difficult. Also, some general programs and articulation agreements were already in place at Monroe Community College that could be built upon and enhanced to meet the needs of students interested in agriculture. Therefore, the avenues discussed in this grant (for example, development of advisement guides and providing professional development for faculty and advisers, strengthening connections with regional institutions, and development of several different individual courses related to agriculture) were pursued under this grant . As a result of both the completion of the initiatives under this grant and survey research and recommendations by local employers and transfer SUNY partners, a new 24 credit hour certificate program in Food and Agriculture is near completion at Monroe Community College.
Impacts
MCC Students have greater access to agriculture classroom instruction as a result of this grant. This has been achieved in several ways. First, 57 students have successfully completed the new Introduction to Agriculture Course developed through this grant. This course is taught by Dr. Robert King, Director, Agriculture and Life Sciences Institute at MCC. The course is experiential in nature. Students travel to local field sites to learn different aspects of agriculture and food production. Dr. King reports that, as a result of this course, several students expressed a desire to pursue training/education in agriculture-related disciplines. Second, the agriculture module infusion project resulted in hundreds of students enrolling in a variety of courses across the college to learn about agriculture. Courses in Business Administration, Hospitality, Biology, and GeoSciences are among those that have new agriculture modules infused in their curriculum. Third, the curricular work completed has spurred the growth of additional agriculture curriculum development at MCC. The Intro to Greenhouse Management Course was first offered in the Fall, 2011 semester. Four students have completed Independent Study projects under the new Independent Study in Agriculture course. Two new courses focusing on agriculture are in development; a Food Science course and an Agribusiness course. MCC students now have a suite of courses regarding agriculture and are exposed to agricultural content across other disciplines. Academic advisement for students interested in pursuing careers in agriculture has been strengthened by the professional development of faculty and advisors and the production of new advisement materials, (i.e., Career Advisement Guide for agriculture). Through project meetings and workshops connections have been made with potential transfer institutions. This has created more effective recruitment opportunities for MCC students for transfer into their agriculture programs. Faculty, advisors and staff at MCC have been enriched through the work of this grant resulting in additional education opportunities for students and professional growth and learning opportunities for staff. In addition, work with faculty and staff from other institutions has strengthened. Work completed under this grant served to strengthen the foundation of the Agriculture and Life Sciences Institute (ASLI) at MCC. Founded in 2006, ASLI provides academic instruction for existing and future food and agribusiness professionals. Subsequent to the initiation of work under this grant, ASLI has obtained additional funding for development of food and agriculture curricula from a USDOL grant. ASLI is partnering with the MCC Foundation to identify and secure private funding to support pathways for new students or incumbent employees interested in a career in the food and agriculture sector. MCC and the surrounding community have benefitted from the work completed under this grant. The community now has access and looks to MCC for agriculture information.
Publications
- Career Advising Guide: Agriculture, MCC Career Center, 07.09 http://www.monroecc.edu/depts/careercenter/StuServ/documents/Agricult ure0709_000.pdf 2009
- Grow Monroe: Enjoy Monroe County Agriculture, Agriculture and Life Sciences Institute, 05.09 http://www.monroecc.edu/depts/Agriculture/GrowMonroeBrochure-Final-lo wres.pdf 2009
|
Progress 07/01/10 to 06/30/11
Outputs
A one credit hour seminar course, Introduction to Agriculture (BIO 113) was developed by faculty in the Biology Department. It was taught for the first time in the Fall, 2010 semester and again in the Spring, 2011 semester. It is being offered again in the Fall, 2011 semester. Two additional courses related to agriculture have also been developed at the college: Introduction to Greenhouse Management (AGS 180) and Independent Study in Agriculture (AGS 290). While the development of these two courses was not directly supported by this grant, the agriculture curriculum initiated and supported by this grant provided the framework and impetus for the development of additional courses and a new agriculture course designation (AGS) at Monroe Community College. Eleven stipends have been awarded to faculty to develop and incorporate agriculture modules into existing courses at MCC. These courses are offered in a variety of disciplines including Business, Biology and Computer Sciences. A Career Advising Guide was developed for students interested in transfer to regional institutions to pursue a career in agriculture. The guide describes the nature of specific careers in agriculture. Also, this advising guide outlines specific coursework at Monroe Community College that should be completed in anticipation of transfer into a particular agriculture program at one of these institutions. The guidelines are different for the different colleges and universities in the region and this brochure helps to guide students in their decision-making process. A two-day professional development workshop was held at Cornell University in Ithaca, NY (June 10-11, 2010). This workshop was a professional development opportunity for nine MCC faculty and staff to receive agriculture training and experiences from Cornell faculty and staff. The main goal of this workshop was for the MCC faculty and staff to learn about the variety of educational and career opportunities for students and bring that information back to MCC and more effectively advise MCC students about those opportunities. Several other professional development and information exchange opportunities have taken place between MCC faculty/staff and representatives from regional colleges/universities that offer agriculture programs including SUNY Cobleskill, Morrisville State College, and Cornell University. PRODUCTS: See Outcomes fothe Project. OUTCOMES: A one credit hour seminar course, Introduction to Agriculture (BIO 113) was developed by faculty in the Biology Department. Two additional courses related to agriculture have also been developed at the college: Introduction to Greenhouse Management (AGS 180) and Independent Study in Agriculture (AGS 290). While the development of these two courses was not directly supported by this grant, the agriculture curriculum initiated and supported by this grant provided the framework and impetus for the development of additional courses and a new agriculture course designation (AGS) at Monroe Community College. A Career AdvisingA two-day professional development workshop was held at Cornell University in Ithaca, NY (June 10-11, 2010). Guide was developed for students interested in transfer to regional institutions to pursue a career in agriculture. DISSEMINATION ACTIVITIES: A synopsis of this Developing Pathways in Agriculture Careers project at Monroe Community College was presented at the North American Colleges and Teachers of Agriculture (NACTA/SERD) Annual Conference held at Penn State University on June 22-25, 2010. FUTURE INITIATIVES: July - December, 2011 - recruit faculty to complete agriculture modules for infusion into existing courses in academic year 2011-2012. July - December, 2011 - complete website updates as necessary. September, 2011 - May, 2012 - faculty develop and infuse agriculture modules into existing courses. July, 2011 - May, 2012 - investigate and develop curriculum for a potential Certificate in Agriculture. May-June, 2012 - draft final report. June, 2012 - submit final report.
Impacts
Incrase in student access through clear pathways to agricultre degrees and increased awareness and interest by faculty ind eveloment of new pathway courses.
Publications
- Publications that have been developed include a brochure that includes information on local agriculture. The Agriculture and Life Sciences Institute homepage has been developed on the MCC website. Efforts are underway to incorporate agriculture content into at least one student club on campus. These were developed in 2010.
|
Progress 07/01/09 to 06/30/10
Outputs
ine modules of agriculture content were developed by faculty and infused into courses in various departments. These courses were in several different academic disciplines including Business, Hospitality, Biology, and Geosciences. This resulted in students across the college being exposed to new, agriculture-related content in their courses. A new, one-credit hour Introduction to Agriculture course was developed by faculty in the Biology Department. This course (BIO 113) was approved through the Monroe Community College Curriculum process and is being offered for the first time in the Fall, 2010 semester. Two separate meetings between Monroe Community College SUNY Cobleskill and Cornell University in the Fall of 2009. Faculty and staff from MCC and Cobleskill exchanged information and ideas to improve pathways in which MCC students could successfully transfer into Agriculture Programs at Cobleskill. Faculty and staff from Cornell presented an overview of agriculture programs available at Cornell University to MCC advisors and faculty. This helped to foster further discussion between the two schools on transfer possibilities for MCC students. Ten MCC faculty and advisors traveled to Cornell University in June 2010 for a two day workshop with faculty and staff in the Horticulture Department (College of Agriculture and Life Sciences). The workshop included training in a variety of agriculture content that could be used in Biology courses, exposure to the different programs available at Cornell University for MCC students, and strengthening connections between faculty at the two institutions. New information for the website was developed and will be incorporated as the new MCC website becomes established. Materials for a brochure were completed and are ready for printing. PRODUCTS: See Progress Report above for the products of this project. OUTCOMES: Students at MCC were exposed to new agriculture content through the module infusion projects and the development of the new Introduction to Agriculture course. MCC faculty and staff received professional development through meetings and workshops held at MCC and Cornell University. It is anticipated that this professional Development will result in further infusion of agriculture content into courses and student activities at MCC. DISSEMINATION ACTIVITIES: There are no dissemination activities at this point. These activities are planned over the next year. FUTURE INITIATIVES: Monroe Community College applied for and received a one-year extension for this grant. The grant is now scheduled to end on June 30, 2011. This will allow for several initiatives including the development of additional agriculture modules for existing MCC course. Another initiative will be able to evaluate the success of the new Introduction to Agriculture Course. It is being offered initially during the Fall, 2010 semester and it is anticipated that a section will also be offered in the Spring, 2011 semester.
Impacts
The project has allowed MCC the ability to offer students needed options in agricultural education.
Publications
- No publications during this reporting period, 2009-10
|
Progress 07/01/08 to 06/30/09
Outputs
This project has been fruitful. Within this report we state the gains made in developing curricula, training faculty, and teaching students. In addition, we developed a brochure and publications. We intend to complete the program with outcomes that will benefit the students and agriculture industries in Western New York. PRODUCTS: A brochure regarding agriculture has been developed and distributed starting May 2009 at over 200 public locations. The brochure includes information about agricultural careers and how to get additional information at MCC. A one credit seminar course, Introduction to Agriculture, is currently under development by faculty in the Biology Department. Project staff has awarded nine stipends of $500 each have been to faculty to incorporate agriculture content into existing courses. One stipend of $500 has been award to the Collegiate Science Technology Entry Program (CSTEP) to provide assistance to underrepresented individuals by developing and providing marketing materials about careers in agriculture and to offer an interactive workshop to create awareness and provide an opportunity to discuss agricultural career options. An advisement document has been developed for students interested in pursuing agricultural degrees at regional colleges. This document contains information on careers in agriculture and MCC courses that will transfer to these regional colleges. Of the nine stipends, one faculty member has submitted an educational module containing agricultural content to be presented during the fall of 2009. A professional development training seminar that highlights agricultural careers has been designed and developed for faculty and staff and will be implemented on October 16, 2009. OUTCOMES: As a result of these products, awareness of favorable attitudes about agriculture within MCC and its partners has increased based on email responses, anecdotal data, and requests for additional information. The brochure has accounted for at 12 inquiries regarding agricultural courses and/or careers via MCC. DISSEMINATION ACTIVITIES: Dr. King has communicated progress and activities of their project to both internal and external stakeholders, through meetings and newsletters. Stakeholders include Monroe Community College, agriculture educators of New York State, Farm Bureau, FFA, Monroe County and New York State elected and appointed officials, interested students and neighboring colleges and universities. An advertisement highlighting MCC's agriculture program was included in the NYS FFA Annual Meeting bulletin. Meetings with Morrisville and Alfred State have occurred to explore additional articulation agreements and partnerships. FUTURE INITIATIVES: 1. Receive nine completed modules of agriculture content for existing curriculums. Several modules will be introduced in courses for Fall of 2009 with the rest being implemented during Spring 2010. 2. Finalize and submit for course approval Introduction to Agriculture. 3. Offer the Introduction to Agriculture course in 2010. 4. Complete one professional development on agricultural careers for faculty and staff to identify and train at least 10 advisors for recruiting and providing career information for potential students. Complete two meetings with Cobleskill and SUNY Delhi regarding potential articulation agreements involving MCC students seeking careers in agriculture. 5. Evaluate the potential of an AS degree in agriculture or other products to best provide student s at MCC with pathways to degrees and careers in agriculture . 6. The Agriculture and Life Sciences Institute in partnership with the Career Center will expand its website to include web pages that provide information regarding agricultural careers for potential students. The Career Center website now provides a career advising guide on agriculture for potential and existing MCC students. 7. The Career Center will review and update articulation agreements regarding agriculture with SUNY Delhi, Cornell, Alfred State, Cobleskill, Morrisville and other potential partners as they arise. 8. At least one student club (e.g. Biology) will be identified and requested to incorporate agricultural content into their activities.
Impacts
The project has increased significant awareness of agriculture among faculty, staff, students and intuitional partners, based on inquiries for presentations and requests for agricultural subject matter expertise. The project has challenged conventional thinking regarding course development and delivery. Hence, the project has encountered some limitations and delays regarding the implementation of the grant proposal. At first, project staff considered expanding curriculum development in the form of at least a three credit course using conventional class room delivery for the Introduction to Agriculture. However, project staff has determined that a one credit seminar course is the most appropriate course to develop as an initial offering in Agriculture at MCC. Staff is also considering an agribusiness component and placing additional emphasis on different learning styles - such as hands on seminars and service learning to facilitate learning for both faculty and students.
Publications
- Career Advising Guide: Agriculture, MCC Career Center, 07.09 http://www.monroecc.edu/depts/careercenter/StuServ/documents/Agricult ure0709_000.pdf 2009
- Grow Monroe: Enjoy Monroe County Agriculture, Agriculture and Life Sciences Institute, 05.09 http://www.monroecc.edu/depts/Agriculture/GrowMonroeBrochure-Final-lo wres.pdf 2009
|