Overview
careers
GPS Technician
GIS Specialist
Precision Technician
Ag Consultant
Custom Applicator
GIS Coordinator in agriculture & natural resources
Installer
Students graduating from Mitchell Technical College’s Precision Agriculture Technology program will be able to install, operate, and troubleshoot equipment and machinery while understanding the agronomic impact in the field.
Students collect, analyze, and manage data from multiple sources, including UAVs. From the collected data, students use geographic information systems (GIS) software to create variable rate maps for seeding, spraying, and fertilizer applications. Mitchell Tech also utilizes land labs which allow students to perform planting and harvesting activities to bring the program full circle. Ultimately, students are taught to convey complex information to assist growers in profitable and sustainable farming.
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Curriculum
Award: AAS Degree
0
Semesters
First Semester
EC121AC/DC Analysis4 credits
PAT102Principles of GPS/GIS2 credits
PAT107Basic Hydraulics2 credits
PAT130Technology Installation & Oper I4 credits
PAT151Precision Ag Electronics Lab3 credits
CIS107Spreadsheet Concepts3 credits
SSS100Student Success1 credit
Total Semester Hours19 credits
Second Semester
AGT158Small Engines for Ag3 credits
PAT112CAD System Design2 credits
PAT140Guidance and Unmanned Aircraft Systems3 credits
PAT142Data Collection and Wireless Technologies3 credits
PAT190Internship6 credits
OSHA100OSHA 10 Training1 credit
Total Semester Hours18 credits
Third Semester
AGT120Soil Science I3 credits
AGT212Ag Chem Equipment3 credits
AGT261Ag Sales & Service3 credits
PAT210GIS Applications4 credits
Math Elective3 credits
General Education Elective3 credits
Total Semester Hours19 credits
Fourth Semester
AGT110Crop Science I3 credits
AGT218Principles of Ag Bus, Management3 credits
PAT203Intro to Variable Rates3 credits
PAT230Technology Installation/Oper II4 credits
CPR100First Aid, CPR AED0.5 credits
Communications Elective3 credits
General Education Elective3 credits
Total Semester Hours19.5 credits
Requirements
Computer Requirements: This program requires a laptop computer so that you can effectively integrate computing skills with your technical education. Many resources that instructors assign are online or require specialty software. To address these needs, Mitchell Tech requires that students entering this program purchase their laptops from Mitchell Tech. The cost for an Mitchell Tech laptop averages about $1,400 for this program. Please be aware that our machines come fully loaded with the software required for this program.
Whether it’s Microsoft Office, or a specialty software for a technical program, your needs will be met by your Mitchell Tech laptop. And our laptops are serviced for free by our Technology office. You will not be able to bring a laptop from home into an Mitchell Tech laptop program as we cannot provide support services for every make and model of laptop. Please consider this carefully before making any laptop purchase and check with the Admissions office for more details.
Outcomes
Graduates of this program will be able to:
- Demonstrate professional behavior and effective communication techniques with supervisors, co-workers, and customers
- Gather and process various types of data using GPS data collection methods
- Effectively install, test, and operate precision ag machinery
- Interpret and maintain agronomic data utilizing GIS programs
- Make appropriate equipment recommendations tailored to customer needs
- Recognize hazards posed by various ag equipment and effectively implement controls to mitigate risk
- Obtain UAV Remote Pilot certification
Annual Program Review
Check out the 2021-22 Annual Program Review for information on how this program assures that its students are attaining learning outcomes.
Faculty
Dan Sieler
Instructor
Contact
Devon Russell
Program Director / Instructor
Contact
Cost
$
4000
Program Tuition & Fees*
Other Required Costs
| Laptop/Software | $1,150 |
| Books / Tools (estimated) | $1,339 |
Scholarships
$750
1 AVAIL.
SD Municipal Electric Association Energy Production & Transmission Scholarship
SD Municipal Electric Association
All programs eligible.
Must be a resident of the SD Municipal Electric Association service area.
$1000
2 AVAIL.
South Dakota Wheat Commission
South Dakota Wheat Commission
The South Dakota Wheat Commission began offering scholarships for Culinary Academy of South Dakota, Animal Science, Ag Business, Agronomy, Precision Technology, and SD Center for Farm and Ranch Management program students in 2014.
The Commission has been an active supporter of several Mitchell Technical College programs for several years and has provided financial support for equipment and program development.
Agricultural Business
Agronomy
Animal Science
Culinary Academy of South Dakota
Precision Ag Technology
Agronomy
Animal Science
Culinary Academy of South Dakota
Precision Ag Technology
Applicants must be currently enrolled as first year full-time students in the Culinary Academy of South Dakota or Agronomy programs, with second choice being Ag Business, Animal Science or Precision Technology
Applicants must complete the MTC current student online application during the open enrollment period as instructed to be eligible for this scholarship
Applicant must maintain a GPA of 2.5 or higher
Award considerations include academic performance, financial need, responses to essay questions and recommendations from instructors.
Ag award preference would be to someone who comes from or has plans to go into production agriculture, specifically wheat production
Culinary Academy of South Dakota award preference would be students interested in the baking side of the program
$1500
1 AVAIL.
South Dakota Crop Improvement Association Scholarship
The scholarship will be awarded to a first year student enrolled in the Precision Technology, Ag Business, Animal Science or Agronomy programs and applied to the recipient's account the following Fall semester.
Agricultural Business
Agronomy
Animal Science
Precision Ag Technology
Agronomy
Animal Science
Precision Ag Technology
Applicant must be currently enrolled as a first year full-time student in the Precision, Ag Business, Animal Science and Agronomy programs at MTC.
Applicant must complete the MTC online application during the open application period as instructed to be eligible for this scholarship
2.0 GPA
$1000
4 AVAIL.
Osterhaus Endowed Scholarships
Martin and Maude Osterhaus established this endowed scholarship in 1995 to provide financial support for at least four deserving Mitchell Tech students each year.
The scholarships will be awarded in January each year and applied to the recipient's account the following Fall semester.
Accounting
Agricultural Business
Agronomy
Animal Science
Architectural Design and Building Construction
Automation Controls/SCADA
Business Management
Culinary Academy of South Dakota
Diesel Power - Ag Power Technology
Electrical Construction & Maintenance
Electrical Utilities & Substation Technology
Heating & Cooling Technology
Human Services Technician
Information Systems Technology
Machining and Manufacturing
Medical Assistant
Medical Laboratory Technology
Medical Office Professional
Medical Office Professional
Power Line Construction & Maintenance
Power Sports & Marine Technology
Precision Ag Technology
Radiation Therapy
Radiologic Technology
Small Business Management
Speech-Language Pathology Assistant
Speech-Language Pathology Assistant
Utilities Technology
Wi-Fi & Broadband Technologies
Wind Turbine Technology
Agricultural Business
Agronomy
Animal Science
Architectural Design and Building Construction
Automation Controls/SCADA
Business Management
Culinary Academy of South Dakota
Diesel Power - Ag Power Technology
Electrical Construction & Maintenance
Electrical Utilities & Substation Technology
Heating & Cooling Technology
Human Services Technician
Information Systems Technology
Machining and Manufacturing
Medical Assistant
Medical Laboratory Technology
Medical Office Professional
Medical Office Professional
Power Line Construction & Maintenance
Power Sports & Marine Technology
Precision Ag Technology
Radiation Therapy
Radiologic Technology
Small Business Management
Speech-Language Pathology Assistant
Speech-Language Pathology Assistant
Utilities Technology
Wi-Fi & Broadband Technologies
Wind Turbine Technology
Applicant must be a currently enrolled first year full-time student in any two year program
Applicant must demonstrate financial need as determined by the FAFSA (universal financial aid application form)
Applicant must maintain a GPA of 3.0 or higher
Applicant must complete the MTC online application during the open application period as instructed to be eligible for this scholarship
Applicant must have good leadership skills
$1000
1 AVAIL.
Mitchell Tech Retiree Endowed Scholarship
The scholarship was established by the former faculty and staff of Mitchell Tech.
Accounting
Agricultural Business
Agronomy
Animal Science
Architectural Design and Building Construction
Automation Controls/SCADA
Business Management
Culinary Academy of South Dakota
Diesel Power - Ag Power Technology
Electrical Construction & Maintenance
Electrical Utilities & Substation Technology
Geospatial Technologies
Heating & Cooling Technology
Human Services Technician
Information Systems Technology
Licensed Practical Nursing (LPN)
Machining and Manufacturing
Medical Assistant
Medical Laboratory Technology
Medical Office Professional
Medical Office Professional
Natural Gas Technology
Office Technology Specialist
Power Line Construction & Maintenance
Power Sports & Marine Technology
Precision Ag Technology
Radiation Therapy
Radiologic Technology
Small Business Management
Speech-Language Pathology Assistant
Speech-Language Pathology Assistant
Utilities Technology
Wi-Fi & Broadband Technologies
Wind Turbine Technology
Agricultural Business
Agronomy
Animal Science
Architectural Design and Building Construction
Automation Controls/SCADA
Business Management
Culinary Academy of South Dakota
Diesel Power - Ag Power Technology
Electrical Construction & Maintenance
Electrical Utilities & Substation Technology
Geospatial Technologies
Heating & Cooling Technology
Human Services Technician
Information Systems Technology
Licensed Practical Nursing (LPN)
Machining and Manufacturing
Medical Assistant
Medical Laboratory Technology
Medical Office Professional
Medical Office Professional
Natural Gas Technology
Office Technology Specialist
Power Line Construction & Maintenance
Power Sports & Marine Technology
Precision Ag Technology
Radiation Therapy
Radiologic Technology
Small Business Management
Speech-Language Pathology Assistant
Speech-Language Pathology Assistant
Utilities Technology
Wi-Fi & Broadband Technologies
Wind Turbine Technology
Applicant must be enrolled full time at MTC.
Applicant must have a GPA of 2.5 or greater.
Applicant must complete the MTC Online application during the open application period to be eligible to receive this scholarship.
$1000
1 AVAIL.
Mark Hohn Hoof Hauler Scholarship
Lisa & Jeff Larson
Mark was a 1984 graduate of the Mitchell Tech Agriculture program. Has passed away from a tragic farm accident in December of 2021. He dedicated his entire life to farming and the agriculture industry. Mark was known for his caring, outgoing, and giving personality and assisting a young farmer to get an agriculture education is a perfect tribute to Mark and his love for farming and his legacy.
Agricultural Business
Agronomy
Animal Science
Precision Ag Technology
Agronomy
Animal Science
Precision Ag Technology
Applicant must be accepted or currently enrolled as a full-time student in Animal Science, Agronomy, Ag Business or Precision program at Mitchell Technical College.
Applicant must maintain a GPA of 2.5 or higher
Applicant must complete the MTC online application during the open application period as instructed to be eligible for this scholarship
