Ancilla College is expanding course offerings in its agriculture program.
Vice President of Enrollment Management Eric Wignall says the school is building on the success of the crop science program launched last year, “This coming year, we’re launching an animal science program – animal science in terms of raising livestock, whether it’s cattle, horses, goats, you name it.”
Wignall says Ancilla’s program gives students the option to continue their education or go straight into the workforce. “Students don’t necessarily need to have a four-year degree to work in the field,” he said. “It’s an AAS degree that we’ve got. So it’s an applied science degree, where essentially, they’re getting dirty. They’re out there working in the farm. We’ve got connection in the community. There’s going to be a lot of development now for animal science.”
He adds that one of the advantages Ancilla has is its ability to adapt as the agriculture industry evolves. “There has been a big push in the country towards smaller-scale, much more diverse agricultural operations,” Wignall says. “You’ve got local corn and bean farmers who now raise tomatoes. You’ve got all sorts of stuff like that going on, and you can farm in a small area that you can have as, essentially, your home. The homesteading movement is part of this.”
For more information, visit Ancilla.edu or the Ancilla College Agriculture Program Facebook page.
