Meeting & Agendas

Savannah opened by inviting all attendees to introduce them self selves and the organizations that they represent. Michael Escobar an intern attended with Ryan Collett of Stiles Farms. Savannah introduced Travis McPhaul as the Senior Lab Assistant for the Agriculture Science Program. Travis completed the Sustainability program offered thru the ACC continuing Education Department.

First semester of classes two classes was offered this fall. Both AGCR 1371 and AGRI 1415 were allowed to be taught even though the number of students registered for them did not meet the minimum number of students (65%) needed to keep the classes open. We had 3 students sign up for AGRI 1415 Horticulture and 5 signed up for AGCR 1371 Intro Sustainability, we had 1 student drop each class due to health reasons. Dean Brandon Whatley allowed the classes to continue so we could start the program. We are waiting to hear back from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) on our accreditation. The proposal was sent to SACS in June. We should hear back from them sometime in November. Once we receive the accreditation it will be retro-active. Meaning student who started the program this fall will graduate from an accredited program. Savannah will send out an email once she hears back from SACS regarding our accreditation. Advertising ideas to increase the number of students were solicited from the committee: Agriculture Sciences now has a web page. We received Agriculture Science Information Cards for advertising. We should reach out to area high schools with 4-H and FFA students. Area high school career services should also be included. Savannah may go to a city council (Elgin) to speak about the program. Letting the city of Elgin know about the program. Waco Tx young farmers they might not be our district. Reach out to World Hunger Relief Farm to make sure they know about the program.

Elgin High School and Leander High School approached us about teaching agriculture science classes. Elgin student would come onto our campus. Leander students would be taught at their high school as they have qualified instructors. This will help with enrollment. We are trying to create a certificate that will be a stackable degree. We are also trying to sign articulation agreements with UTRGV and Texas State. This process will be much easier once we have our accreditation. We are working on articulation with 4-year partners like UTRGV and Texas State. The problem lies in that not all of our classes transfer to 4-year institutions. TX A& M very protective of their students and what courses they take. 2 New degree plans are in the works “Animal Science” and “Business Marketing”. Field of study will be complete in January 2020. Once it is complete then 4-year institutions must accept the courses.

Savannah attended the USDA Kika De La Garza Fellowship Program in June 2019 for 2 weeks in Washington DC. ACC as a Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) qualifies for grants, Cathleen works under. Grant money and scholarships are available to our students to pursue Agriculture Science and Sustainability degree plans. It was a great networking opportunity, not all agriculture but all Latinos. Met with USDA and other federal agencies. Sue has funds for 1 to 2 field trips local Elgin schools for potential field trips or meet the farmer. Maybe show and tell with fruit and vegetables grown in the garden.

Internships will probably start in the summer. Right now, 8 hours a week is what the interns will be doing. Total internship hours is 128.Ryan Collette thinks 8 hours a week is not enough. It is more of a “hassle” to only have them for 8 hours a week. We have to be careful how to set- up the farmers. Farmer internships will be case by case. Savannah, student and the farmer will sign agreement. “What do you expect of the student’ during the internship? Find partners with specific needs. Work with Agriculture Cooperatives to see what interns they need. Any food or other small-scale farmer that might be interested. Interns are not paid.

The field of study Brandon also suggested that Savannah might get some leads on internship opportunities through her USDA fellowship sessions this summer.

The field of study Brandon also suggested that Savannah might get some leads on internship opportunities through her USDA fellowship sessions this summer. • If you have organizations or businesses that could use interns next summer, please connect Savannah to those people. • If you have ideas of how to connect the ACC Ag Program with potential students, please suggest to Savannah. • If you have ways to spread the word about the ACC Ag Program (there are now brochures that Savannah can give you), please do.