REMOTE SENSING CURRICULUM FOR ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY EDUCATION AT THE COMMUNITY COLLEGE LEVEL -- MISSISSIPPI STATE UNIVERSITY AND USDA COOPERATING

Authors: Thomson, Steven; SUDBRINK, DONALD - MAFES, DREC, MISS STATE; Sassenrath, Gretchen; WALKER, MOLLY - MISS DELTA COMMUNITY COLL; ENGLISH, PATRICK - MAFES, DREC, MISS STATE; FREELAND, THOMAS - MAFES, DREC, MISS STATE

Submitted to: Proceedings of American Society of Agricultural Engineers
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/1/2002
Publication Date: 8/1/2002
Citation: THOMSON, S.J., SUDBRINK, D.L., SASSENRATH COLE, G.F., WALKER, M.B., ENGLISH, P.J., FREELAND, T.B. REMOTE SENSING CURRICULUM FOR ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY EDUCATION AT THE COMMUNITY COLLEGE LEVEL -- MISSISSIPPI STATE UNIVERSITY AND USDA COOPERATING. PROCEEDINGS OF AMERICAN SOCIETY OF AGRICULTURAL ENGINEERS. 2002. Paper No. 021015.

Interpretive Summary: In the lower Mississippi Delta region, agriculture remains a strong economic force. This region has traditionally been one of America's most prolific producers of cotton, rice, soybeans, and other major agricultural products. Profit margins have been under great pressure in recent years, making efficient production systems a necessity. Research in Precision Agriculture has progressed steadily in and is beginning to be used in the region's agricultural production system. Training a competent workforce is essential for the proper implementation of site-specific management. To meet the needs in the Delta for a competent workforce, a curriculum consisting of eight courses was developed for Mississippi Delta Community College. The curriculum was designed to be used by other junior colleges that desire a program in precision agriculture. Scientists were recruited from both Mississippi State University and the USDA-ARS to develop the courses, which will be taught at the Delta Research and Extension Center in Stoneville, MS. By having the students on site at the Stoneville campus, these 2-year students will be exposed to a substantial amount of research and actual crop production practice. Planning and structure of the first completed curriculum in Precision Agriculture is described, with emphasis on a course in remote sensing.

Technical Abstract: A junior college curriculum was developed to meet the short- and long-term industry needs for an Advanced Agricultural Specialist. The curriculum consists of eight courses developed by both federal and state scientists at the Delta Research and Extension Center in Stoneville, MS. Courses developed for the program will be taught by state scientists beginning Fall Semester, 2002. In addition to their primary course, each course developer also assisted in developing the other courses. This served to identify areas of overlap between courses and to identify where re-enforcement of a topic might be needed. Because of the curriculum's applied nature, laboratory and field experiences were emphasized in course development, and labs will be conducted at the Stoneville experimental fields. By having the students on site at the Stoneville campus, these 2-year students will be exposed to substantially more research and actual crop production than is available in most programs of undergraduate study.