Renovations

When many students hear about the agriculture department, they think about the Judging Team. Although the judging team is part of the Agriculture Department, there is a lot more to it.

There are five degree programs through the Agriculture department. Three of the degrees are Associate of Science programs. These are Agriculture, which covers all aspects; Agricultural Business and Pre-veterinarian.

"McDonald's is considered an agricultural business because food is a process of agriculture," said head of the Agriculture Department Don Gronau.

Two of the five programs are Associate of Applied Science programs. These are Farm and Ranch Management along, with Livestock Merchandise and Marketing. There is also one certificate program.

"These programs serve the agricultural and educational needs of this community," Gronau said.

There are 18 agriculture classes being taught this semester, and a few are taught in two or three sessions. An agriculture student will take approximately 40 hours of agriculture classes in two years.

Agriculture students also have to take general education courses through their programs. Some programs require 63 credits, while a few only require 62.

According to Gronau approximately 75 percent of agriculture students go on to four year programs.

"Agriculture students that complete courses in agriculture find better careers and earn a higher income," Gronau said.

The agriculture facility was built 20 years ago. Renovations were done two years ago. A few more classrooms were added, along with new innovative equipment.

Most of the new equipment was acquired through Butler Foundation grants. Lab tables were part of the new updates, which allow agriculture students to have a hands on experience.

"The teaching is accomplished in modern and well-equipped classrooms." Gronau said.

All the work done around the facility is done by agriculture students and what the course involves. The number of cows on the land depends on the number of students enrolled in the courses.

Three courses for Horse Science are available. Community member Debbie Doyle lends out her ranch to help Butler Agriculture students.

Agriculture teachers are trying to teach the students to "go green" in their recent renovation, and geothermal watering tanks were added to the facility.

The Agriculture Club and Agriculture Ambassadors are two of the organizations through the department. Both are activities to involve agriculture students in leadership training and community service.

Being in agriculture offers work study programs for agriculture students. In turn this, provides opportunities for qualified students to be successful in their preferred area of work.