Indiana Lt. Governor Becky Skillman today announced a new education initiative, the Hoosier Agribusiness and Science Academy. It will educate urban high school students about agriculture, focusing on hands-on learning and career development. 

Lt. Governor Skillman made the announcement during an 11:00 a.m. press conference at the Lawrence campus of Ivy Tech Community College.  Joining her for the announcement were Andy Miller, Director of the Indiana State Department of Agriculture; Dr. Thomas Snyder, President of Ivy Tech Community College; Dr. Nancy DiLaura, Assistant Academic Dean of Ivy Tech Community College-Central Indiana; Dr. Kay Harmless, Director of the Lawrence Early College High School; Mr. Wayne Wellington, Assistant to the Superintendent of Indianapolis Public Schools; Mr. David Brunsting, Academic Dean of IPS Emmerich Manual STAR Academy; and Dr. Hank Dunn, Chancellor of Ivy Tech Community College-Central Indiana. 

In partnership with Lawrence Early College High School, the program will offer students the chance to earn high school science credit while they explore new career opportunities. It will be the first time many of them will be exposed to agriculture.  Classes will be held at the Ivy Tech Community College campus in Lawrence.

"Agriculture is a $25 billion a year industry in Indiana. It offers thousands of high-tech, high-paying jobs to Hoosiers," said Lt. Gov. Skillman.  "We want the Lawrence Early College students and other urban students around the state to enter college excited about these potential career opportunities."

The Hoosier Agribusiness and Science Academy will focus on experience-based learning through activities such as apprentice projects and field trips to agricultural businesses.  The Academy will also work with the students on career and leadership development to help prepare them for college. 

"Providing opportunities for students to get a head start on college is at the core of our mission and the core of our partnership with the Lawrence Early College High School," said Dr. Dunn.  "Ivy Tech is honored to be a part of this exciting initiative to encourage youth to explore the promising career field of agribusiness, and we look forward to hosting these outstanding students this summer."

The first class will take place June 1 - 21, Monday through Friday.  Activities will include field trips to  Dow AgroSciences, Red Gold, and Fair Oaks Farm.  Curriculum will cover animal, plant and soil science, food, horticulture, agribusiness management, landscaping, and natural resources.

 

###

« Back to News Release List

Link to this event: