The agriculture program at Elizabethtown Community and Technical College (ECTC) will offer an animal science track beginning with the fall 2022 semester.
Animal technology, livestock management, and animal nutrition will be required courses for the new track, in addition to the program’s core agriculture curriculum, ECTC officials said in a press release.
The program currently hosts three degree tracks including sustainability, education and technology.
“Adding animal science to these options is a crucial part to meeting the needs of the surrounding community and answer what high school agriculture students are asking for,” Ag Program Coordinator Ben Smith said. “Kentucky is ranked number one in cow/calf production east of the Mississippi River and hosts several multi-national food companies, not to mention the state hosts one of the best equine industries in the world. With animal production being such a vital component to the Kentucky agriculture industry, offering great job potential and growth in entrepreneurship, we want to prepare students for successful agriculture careers right here in the commonwealth.”
Smith has been with ECTC for five years as the program coordinator and looks forward to teaching more course curriculum that aligns most with his background in animal science, according to officials.
The new animal science classes will be offered both on campus and online and can be taken by any ECTC student to fill an elective slot in their schedule.
(Photo courtesy of North Greenville University)
By Ken Howlett, News Director
Contact Ken at ken@k105.com
