Isaac Perman, Garrison, and Shelby Schmitz, Minot, took part in a horticulture class at Dakota College at Bottineau. The college will be offering a new ag degree starting this fall. Submitted Photo

Agribusiness is a field with a lot of opportunity and Dakota College at Bottineau will be helping to educate them for the future, said Keith Knudson, specialty crops instructor.

The two year college, along with Lake Region State College in Devils Lake and Williston State College, will be offering a new agriculture program beginning this fall.

Knudson said students will have an opportunity to earn an associate of applied science degree in agriculture management and technology with a focus on a specific area such as livestock production, crop production, specialty crop production and agribusiness.

Classes will be offered on-campus and online or via the Interactive Video Network. Lab classes will be offered on site during intensive two day “field days.”

To better fit in with farming and ranching schedules, the college is looking at the option of offering shortened courses from January to March or April. That would also enable students to take on internships for credit at local agricultural businesses or to give their full attention to farming, which usually kicks off in April.

Students will also have the option of completing a one year certificate in one of those areas instead of the two year degree.

A certificate can provide students with specialized knowledge that might help them on the job. For instance, someone who wants to work in an agronomy center that sells pesticides and fertilizers could take several classes in integrated pest management and earn a certificate that would be a valuable addition to his resume. Farmers and ranchers are more and more using unmanned drones to monitor crops or cattle. A student interested in that area could study for an unmanned aircraft system certificate.

Knudson said the college has found that there is strong interest in an agriculture program at Dakota College. Some prospective students have jobs and families and other obligations and do not want to go as far away as Bismarck State College or North Dakota State University to study for a degree.

Knudson said the college recently received approval to offer the program and has begun promoting it. He said the program can take up to about 10 to 15 students and he doesn’t think there will be a problem filling the program.

There will be some students taking classes via Williston State or Lake Region, though they will be enrolled at Dakota College at Bottineau.

For more information on the program, contact Dakota College at Bottineau.