New Agricultural Water Management Certificate program set to launch
By: Norman Martin
Texas Tech University agricultural experts report there's a growing need for training students in the latest irrigation technologies to enhance the efficiency of water use. In response, the university's College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources is set to offer an Undergraduate Agricultural Water Management Certificate to provide courses on efficient and profitable management of water for agricultural purposes, with emphasis on irrigation technologies.
The certificate program was conceived by the Texas Alliance for Water Conservation, a water-management outreach project housed within CASNR, to bolster education of the agricultural workforce. Starting in spring semester of 2019, the certificate program will consist of a series of courses, totaling 15 hours, that cover aspects of water management and conservation. A new course, called the Irrigation Management Seminar, will be offered every fall semester, and is designed to meet the workforce needs of key stakeholders in agriculture such as producers, equipment providers, consultants, and government agencies.
"The Undergraduate Agricultural Water Management Certificate is equally available to degree-seeking undergraduates and nondegree-seeking working adults," said Chuck West, Tech's Thornton Distinguished Chair in the Department of Plant and Soil Science and Administrator of the Texas Alliance for Water Conservation. "All courses take place on campus, and require enrolling in the university, even if just for one course."
West said that while the certificate provides documentation of continuing education for those already in the workforce, it also allows traditional students the opportunity to further an emphasis area that is in the same department as their major, as distinct from a minor, which can only be done in a department outside their major department.
The certificate curriculum will provide students with topics related to managing water for growing crops and other plants for horticultural and turf uses. The irrigation course will provide technical background on soil and plant sciences, the mechanics of irrigation equipment, use of programs to control and schedule irrigation, and exposure to economic and regulatory aspects that guide irrigation use.
CONTACT: Eric Hequet, Department Chair, Department of Plant and Soil Science, Texas Tech University at (806) 742-2838 or eric.hequet@ttu.edu
1219NM18 / Editor's Note: For more information on the Undergraduate Agricultural Water Management Certificate, click here under Department of Plant and Soil Science's Academics & Programs/Degree Programs
• Information about certificate course content can be obtained here
• Enrollment information is available here
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