Precision Ag Technology

This course introduces students to the fundamental principles of GPS and their application in precision agriculture and Geographic Information System (GIS) applications. It will cover various aspects of GPS technology, including corrections, constellations, and their primary uses in the industry, alongside essential GPS terminology and its relevance to professional practice. After building a solid foundation in GPS technology, the focus will transition to the utilization of GIS operations within the agricultural sector, equipping students with the skills and knowledge to leverage these technologies in enhancing farming efficiency and productivity.

This course equips students with industry-relevant skills essential for operating, installing, and analyzing the performance of basic hydraulic systems. It introduces the fundamentals of hydraulic systems as they are applied in industrial settings, providing a comprehensive overview of the mechanics, components, and operational strategies pivotal to understanding and managing hydraulic systems effectively. Through this course, students will gain practical knowledge and hands-on experience that are critical for excelling in fields requiring expertise in hydraulic technology.

This lab focuses on the hands-on application and installation of diverse Precision Agriculture (Precision Ag) products. Students will actively engage in real-world agricultural practices such as implementing auto-steering systems, installing product control mechanisms, and utilizing geospatial technologies for mapping and data recording. Additionally, the lab includes building a planter, emphasizing the practical skills involved in constructing agricultural machinery tailored to precision farming needs. Activities will cover a wide range of processes, including land preparation and harvesting, all conducted within the specialized environment of the Precision Ag lab and designated agricultural plots. This setup ensures students develop practical, applicable skills in Precision Agriculture technologies and methodologies.

This lab provides practical experience with soldering, using hand tools, identifying components, understanding color codes, applying Ohm’s law, and interpreting circuit diagrams. Participants will work with essential instruments such as ohmmeters, ammeters, voltmeters, and power supplies, among others. The course delves into the characteristics of AC/DC circuits, with a focus on capacitance and inductance. Additionally, it explores the principles of the P/N junction, crucial for understanding the functionality of diodes and bipolar junction transistors. This hands-on lab is designed to equip students with a thorough understanding of basic electronics and circuit theory.

Detailed instruction on the use of Microsoft Excel covering beginning, intermediate, and advanced concepts. Concepts covered include working with formulas and functions; creating and formatting charts graphs and pivot tables/pivot charts; sorting and filtering lists; data consolidation between multiple worksheets and workbooks; and importing and exporting of data.

Provides a foundation for gaining the knowledge, skills and attitudes necessary for college success. Students will learn to make a successful transition to higher education by setting up a pattern of success that will last the rest of their lives. Students will define goals and develop thinking skills, learning strategies and personal qualities essential to both academic and career success. Please note: Students who have served active military duty (excluding basic training and AIT) may be exempt from the Student Success course. Student must provide a copy of DD214 or other official military documentation to the registrar for verification.

This course offers an introduction to computer-aided drafting (CAD) software tailored to specific technological applications. The focus is on mastering the command structure of the software and the drafting standards relevant to various technical fields. Through comprehensive training and practical exercises, students will learn to not only navigate the software efficiently but also to apply these skills in designing and creating functional systems. By the end of the course, participants will be equipped with the necessary CAD expertise to produce detailed and precise designs applicable across a range of technical disciplines.

This course delves into the sensors and devices associated with various types of guidance systems from multiple manufacturers, highlighting the benefits, accuracy, and unique features of each system. Students will gain hands-on experience in installing, setting up, calibrating, and troubleshooting guidance systems from various suppliers. Additionally, the course prepares students to take the Remote Pilot Certified Small UAS exam, enabling them to become commercially certified drone pilots.

In this course, students will delve into a wide array of data collection and management tools that are crucial in the field of precision technology. This detailed data collection course covers a variety of subjects, including yield monitor systems, crop vigor sensor systems, soil sampling, and topography mapping systems, along with many other vital data collection instruments. Additionally, the curriculum introduces students to data management platforms, particularly focusing on their integration with wireless data transfer technologies. This approach ensures students grasp how to effectively utilize data in Precision Agriculture by seamlessly combining data management platforms with advanced wireless communication, thereby improving data access and usefulness in agricultural practices.

This course features a supervised internship conducted off-campus at a precision agriculture business. Participants will have the opportunity to apply their academic knowledge in real-world scenarios, gaining hands-on experience in the practical aspects of precision agriculture technology and management. This immersive experience is designed to deepen students’ understanding of the industry’s operations and challenges, preparing them for successful careers in the rapidly evolving field of precision agriculture.

An overview of OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) standards focusing on hazard recognition and injury and illness prevention. The 10-hour general program is intended to provide entry-level workers with awareness of hazards in and around the work site. Emphasis is placed on recognition and prevention and helps create a culture of safety. Upon successful completion the student will receive OSHA 10 certification.

The importance of soil, its formation, physical properties and land classifications. Soil sampling procedures will be explained and soil test results will be studied.

Safe handling procedures for pesticides and proper loading and mixing of crop protection products are discussed. Proper use of liquid and dry application equipment and nozzle selection will be studied.

Development of skills needed by an agricultural salesperson including prospecting, territory management, customer service and communication. An investigation of the agricultural sales process, marketing and advertising methods are studied.

This course integrates Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to effectively manage agronomic data, providing students with practical skills in utilizing GIS software for comprehensive data management. Participants will learn to handle various types of agricultural data, including yield, soil samples, imagery, and application records. Through hands-on training, students will use GIS tools to create precise variable rate maps tailored for seeding, spraying, and fertilizer applications. This approach equips students with the necessary capabilities to leverage GIS technology in optimizing agricultural practices, enhancing efficiency, and promoting sustainable farming operations.

The plant development stages of corn, soybeans, small grains and alfalfa. The importance of planting dates and seeding depths along with environmental factors will be discussed.

Introduction to the responsibilities of farm business entrepreneurship. Students are exposed to the four functional areas of management: marketing, finance, supply chain and human resources. Students learn to understand the role that managers play in planning, organizing, directing and controlling as related to agri-business.

In this course, students will begin by continuing a planter build project initiated in the fall, gaining hands-on experience in the construction and customization of Variable Rate (VR) application systems. They will learn about the components and operating principles of VR application equipment, with a focus on its economic and environmental benefits. The course will guide students through the process of creating Variable Rate Application (VRA) maps for spring planting, utilizing a variety of data layers and information. Following the map preparation, students will proceed to practical planter preparation, planting corn and beans at the MTC Land Labs. This comprehensive approach ensures students not only understand the theory behind precision agriculture but also apply this knowledge in real-world settings, from equipment construction to crop cultivation.

This lab in Precision Agriculture extends beyond basic principles to refine students’ expertise in deploying Precision Ag technologies. It offers enriched practical experience in utilizing auto-steering systems, product control mechanisms, and the sophisticated use of geospatial technologies for enhanced mapping and data recording. Furthermore, the curriculum expands to include cable harness building, concentrating on the vital skills required for managing electrical connections within agricultural machinery. Through this course, students will gain a comprehensive understanding and hands-on proficiency in the technological advancements that drive efficiency and innovation in modern agriculture.

This course trains participants to provide first aid, CPR, and the use of an automated external defibrillator (AED). Students must complete the hands-on skill session. This class is offered for credit as a Pass/No Pass course.