Discover agriculture at Ivy Tech College

Recently there was an opportunity to visit with Jim Luzar, Purdue Extension Vigo County Educator and Ivy Tech Partnership Coordinator, to learn about classes and subject matter offerings with the Wabash Valley Ivy Tech Campus.

One of the thrusts of 4-H both locally and on an area basis is to enable more youth to have a post-secondary (high school) education experience. There are many options that can benefit one other than what many consider the standard four-year college degree.

Class offerings in agriculture for our Ivy Tech area take place at the Terre Haute campus. Before you think about high gas prices, recognize that the agriculture classes are offered on Monday and Wednesday, facilitating a two-trip commute per week to attend classes.

Course offerings which focus on agriculture are as varied as the activities within agriculture. Subject matter includes soil science, animal nutrition, horticulture, farm management, precision agriculture and agricultural sales.

The program offers the opportunity to earn a two-year associates degree in agriculture with further opportunity to transition into a four-year degree program.

Agriculture classes are more than just driving a tractor. For example, students in horticulture experience hands-on propagation techniques like grafting. Business class students learn from local entrepreneurs while developing business plans.

"Students thrive with the hands-on learning environment that stresses the science of agriculture while experiencing how dynamic agriculture has become," Luzar says.

"The opportunity to attend agriculture classes at Ivy Tech is not limited to recent high school graduates," he continues.

The program offers opportunities for individuals seeking career transition, as well as persons desiring more knowledge about agriculture.

"A great first step may be to enroll in a class which would help one professionally to try the experience which could result in further career advancement," Lusazr says.

Persons age 60 and over qualify to enroll in a class for only the cost of registration, which currently is only $60 per semester.

To find out more about the agriculture program, contact the Agriculture Program Chair John Rosene by phone at 812-298-2202 or jrosene@ivytech.edu by email. Spring semester classes begin Jan. 13 and early registration (in December) is encouraged to assure class availability.

Visit extension.purdue.edu/putnam or you can contact the local Purdue Extension Office by calling 6530-8411 for more information regarding this week's column topic or to RSVP for upcoming events. It is always best to call first to assure items are ready when you arrive and to RSVP for programs. While many publications are free, some do have a fee. All times listed are Eastern Standard Time.

Upcoming Events

Dec. 3: Putnam County Master Gardener Holiday Party, 6 p.m., RSVP required

Dec. 3: Junior Leader Caroling, Autumn Glen, 5 p.m.

Dec. 4: PARP program at the Putnam County Fairgrounds, 8:30 a.m.

Dec. 4: Junior Leader Caroling, Mill Pond, 6:30 pm

Dec. 10: Bi-State Crops Conference, Beef House, 8:30 a.m. (RSVP at office)

Dec. 11: Last Chance PARP at Putnam County Fairgrounds 12:30 p.m.