SWGTC Agricultural Technology Program holds Open House                                                                     

            Area high school students mingle with SWGTC Agricultural

             Technology students to get an inside look at the program.

              The Agricultural Technology program at Southwest Georgia Technical College (SWGTC) held an open house for area high school students who are interested in agricultural careers.

              “We held this event to give area high school students the opportunity to learn more about our program,” said Bobby Sharp, instructor of the Agricultural Technology program. “It is a recruitment tool for us and we hope to gain a lot of new students for fall quarter.”

              Students came from all over Southwest Georgia to attend the event. “This is a great opportunity to show off what our program has to offer students.  The students were able to get a close look at our equipment and our facilities,” Sharp said.

              The Agricultural Technology program at SWGTC is unique in that it is the only program of its kind in the state and one of only three in the Southeastern United States. The program is also unique in that those who complete the program all have jobs waiting for them when they graduate.

              “An event such as this is always good for recruitment and also shows how the John Deer dealers in our area support our program here at Southwest Georgia Technical College”, Sharp.

John Deere, which provides equipment for the program, participated in the event by having representatives of the company on hand to answer questions about the John Deere Company and employment opportunities within its organization.

Blake Ogletree, a junior at Turner County High School was very impressed with the program. “I am definitely enrolling in the program here after I graduate,” he said. “I am already working at Albany Tractor part time and look forward to getting started here.”

              Attendees were treated to demonstrations of various pieces of John Deere equipment and were able to meet and talk with students who are already enrolled in the program.

Sharp said the program was full of information for potential students and included hands-on classroom demonstrations. “Everyone got a good look at all aspects of the program, and our current students were on hand to show the prospective students what the Agricultural Technology program is all about.” The event ended with a cookout for participants.

              More information on the Agricultural Technology program at Southwest Georgia Technical College may be obtained by calling 229-225-3916 or by visiting the website at www.southwestgatech.edu.