The Aims Community College Agricultural Sciences and Technology program received the Outstanding Postsecondary Agriculture Program Award at the National Association of Agriculture Educators (NAAE) Convention in San Antonio, Texas. Aims was one of six programs nationwide to receive the award.

The Aims program was nominated for the award by a local high school, then went on to the national level to compete against other two- and four-year programs as well as adult education programs (e.g., Young Farmers) in the region. The Agricultural Sciences and Technology program’s exemplary faculty and staff dedication, as well as the latest technology and outreach to high school students, helped to make it successful.

“The faculty and staff in our Agriculture program are very committed to their students at Aims and I’m so pleased that they have received this national recognition,” said Aims President and CEO Dr. Leah L. Bornstein. “This is a great example of the high-quality learning experience that students can expect to receive when they come to Aims.”

The Outstanding Postsecondary Agriculture Program Award recognizes exemplary postsecondary institutions and full-time young farmer and adult agriculture education programs. Young farmer and adult agriculture education program staff must devote at least 50 percent of their teaching time to this level of instruction in order to qualify. This year’s award was sponsored by Bayer as a special project of the National Future Farmers of America Foundation.

Amy McFarland, Aims Agricultural Sciences and Technology program chair, traveled to San Antonio to accept the award. “I am extremely honored to accept this national award on behalf of the full- and part-time faculty and staff in the Agricultural Sciences program,” said McFarland. “I feel so fortunate to oversee this dedicated team of educators.”

The Aims Agricultural Sciences and Technology program offers associate of science degrees in agriculture business, agricultural education, soil and crop sciences, horticulture, and animal science; associate of applied science degrees; and several certificate options, including the popular Precision Agriculture certificate. Aims Community College’s articulation agreements with Colorado State University (CSU) allow students to transfer seamlessly to a bachelor’s degree program.

Click here for more information about the Agricultural Sciences and Technology program.

Photo caption: Left to right, Hals Beard, NAAE Region 2 Vice President; Amy McFarland; Valerie Bayes, Bayer; and Nick Nelson, NAAE President.

Opinions expressed in Member Spotlight are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect those of the League for Innovation in the Community College.