Certificates Awarded
Program Requirements to Graduate
Students have the option to graduate with a general certificate of classes of their choice or a specialty certificate that provides expertise in a specific agricultural area.
General Certificate: For those students wishing to pursue a general course of study in the Farm and Industry Short Course, the opportunity is virtually unlimited. Some 16 to 22 courses are offered each of the three regular terms. You may choose four to six courses each term.
Students may earn a one-year or two-year certificate. The one-year certificate requires 20 credits, while the two-year certificate requires 40 credits. To graduate with either a one- or two-year certificate, a student must maintain a 2.0 cumulative GPA or higher.
With two exceptions, students may choose courses according to their personal interests. A basic math comprehension test and English composition test are required of all students enrolling in Short Course for the first time. Those who do not attain satisfactory performance on these examinations must take the appropriate English and math courses. These required courses must be passed to allow a student to graduate from the program.
Students with extensive agricultural high school or technical school training may omit certain introductory classes if they pass a screening test. If students ‘‘test out’’ of such classes, they may apply the class credits toward a certificate.
Wisconsin School for Beginning Dairy and Livestock Farmers Certificate: A Certificate of Completion is offered through the Wisconsin School for Beginning Dairy and Livestock Farmers (WSBDF) program, an enrollment option within FISC. The WSBDF offers the pasture-base dairy/livestock business seminar series (one class each term) which includes business plan development, farm field trips, conference attendance, mentoring, networking with experienced farmers, and on-farm internships. The WSBDF emphasizes managed grazing as a profitable and successful approach to starting and managing a dairy or livestock farm business.
http://www.cias.wisc.edu/dairysch.html
Specialty Certificate: Students interested in obtaining expertise in specific areas of production agriculture or the landscape industry can pursue a Specialty Certificate. A specialty requires that students earn a total of at least 20 credits in the Farm and Industry Short Course as specified within curriculum requirements. Students must take the required courses for the specialty although some electives are allowed. Students can complete the appropriate coursework to obtain as many certificates as they choose. This often enables graduates of the program to become eligible for more job opportunities that would not be available had a non-specialty general certificate been obtained.
Students can earn a Specialty Certificate in these areas:
1. Crop and Soil Management
This specialty is designed for students interested in crops and soils related work such as fertilizer and chemical manager for a co-op, crop scout, or other crop or soils work related to production agriculture.
Completing the program
20 Credits Minimum including all the required courses:
Crops and Soil Management Course Selection Chart
2. Dairy Farm Management
This specialty is designed for students wishing to pursue a dairy farming career on their own or for those wishing to pursue a dairy production operation for someone else.
Completing the program
20 credits minimum, including all the required courses:
Dairy Farm Management Course Selection Chart
3. Farm Mechanics
This specialty is designed for the student planning to work closely with the farm equipment industry or one who plans to be a farm mechanic primarily responsible for the farm equipment maintenance.
Farm Mechanics Course Selection Chart
4. Farm Service and Supply
This specialty is designed for the students interested in all aspects of the farm supply and service industry.
Completing the program
20 Credits Minimum including all the required courses:
Farm Service & Supply Course Selection Chart
5. Landscape Industry
This specialty is designed for the student planning to pursue work in Landscape Construction and Maintenance, Integrated Pest Management, Soil Conservation/Management and Turf Management.
Completing the program
20 Credits Minimum including all the required courses:
Landscaping Industry Course Selection Chart
6. Meat Animals
This specialty is intended to prepare students for a livestock farming career or for work as a livestock herdsperson for other farm operators or for other livestock related jobs.
Completing the program
20 Credits Minimum including all the required courses:
Meat Animals Course Selection Chart
7. Pasture-Based Dairy and Livestock
This specialty familiarizes students with the development and management of pasture-based dairy and livestock farm businesses.
Topics include economic, environmental and agronomic principles of managed grazing; milking center design; dairy, beef, goat and sheep production; farm selection, design and remodeling; winter feeding and housing strategies; herd health; and goal setting and farm enterprise development.
Completing the program
22 credits required over the 17-week period, including the required courses:
Pasture-Based Dairy and Livestock Course Selection Chart
