March 22, 2018

Agrivision, Northwest partnering to host third annual agriculture summer academy

Northwest Missouri State University and Agrivision Equipment are partnering again to offer a three-day summer academy to introduce high school students and agricultural educators to the ever-changing world of precision agriculture technologies.

Now entering its third year, the Agrivision Equipment Group Precision Agriculture Summer Academy, June 19-21 on the Northwest campus, incorporates hands-on activities with state-of-the-art equipment and networking with industry professionals to advance the knowledge of students and agricultural educators in precision agriculture technologies. Students will explore the use of global positioning systems (GPS), auto-guidance technology, precision application, remote sensing, geographic information systems and data collection and management.

Up to 24 high school students who are completing their sophomore or junior year this spring and are active members of a 4-H club or FFA chapter will be selected for the summer academy. High school agricultural educators from schools where students were selected also are invited to participate.

The cost to attend is free. Selected students and their high school educators will receive a scholarship that covers the cost of lodging, food, materials, supplies and tuition during their participation in the summer academy.

Interested students must submit an application with signatures and two reference letters by Saturday, March 31, via email to agsciences@nwmissouri.edu or U.S. mail to School of Agricultural Sciences Attn: Precision Agriculture Summer Academy, 800 University Drive, Maryville, MO 64468.

Participants will be announced Friday, April 13. For more information about Agrivision Equipment Group Precision Agriculture Summer Academy, contact Northwest agricultural sciences instructors Matt Bax or Jackie Lacy at 660.562.1155 or agsciences@nwmissouri.edu.

Northwest began a partnership with AgriVision Equipment in 2015 to enhance the profession-based experiences agriculture students receive at the University and in the region. AgriVision Equipment proactively collaborates with Northwest by participating in its Career Day and Mock Interview Days, and its employees serve on advisory committees. 

Additionally, Northwest’s thriving School of Agricultural Sciences is among the largest and most unique agricultural science programs in the Midwest, serving an enrollment of 684 agriculture majors last year, an increase of about 40 percent in the last five years. The School of Agricultural Sciences boasts an 84.1 percent retention rate compared to the national average of 68.7 percent, and 98.2 percent of its graduates are securing employment or advancing their education within six months of earning degrees. Students in ag science-related majors gain profession-based experience at the R.T. Wright Farm, which is home to beef, swine, dairy and sheep enterprises as well as row and forage crops.

To learn more about Northwest’s School of Agricultural Sciences, visit www.nwmissouri.edu/ag/.