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Precision Agriculture Technology
Course Outline

Program Overview

Precision Agriculture Technology is a hands-on program that combines modern farming technology with crop production, conservation, plant health, and agricultural business management. Students learn through classroom instruction, shop projects, and field experience using the same tools and technology found in today’s agriculture industry.


The program teaches students how to improve crop and soil health, manage water and irrigation systems, monitor field conditions, and use data to make better decisions for farms and ranches. Students gain experience with GPS guidance systems, drones, satellite imagery, soil mapping, weather stations, and farm management software while learning how technology can increase efficiency, reduce waste, and produce healthier crops.
This program is a great fit for students interested in farming, agronomy, soil science, or agricultural business. Students also develop skills in customer service, problem-solving, data management, and precision ag operations.


Graduates are prepared for careers in precision agriculture, agronomy, crop consulting, conservation, irrigation management, ag technology support, agricultural sales, and farm or ranch operations.

Degree and Certificate Options

Associate of Applied Science (or Technical Certificate)

Learning Outcomes

  • Display knowledge of the basic concepts of precision farming and sustainable agriculture.
  • Identify field, crop, and regional considerations, and the technologies best suited for addressing various agronomic and farming operation challenges.
  • Properly collect, store, analyze and make farming decisions from all the data collected from farm related machinery, remote sensors, soils sensors, weather monitors and GIS analytics.
  • Conduct the proper method of crop related sampling and measuring.
  • Develop variable rate and prescriptive mapping solutions.
  • Collect soil data using sampling and electrically conductive methods.
  • Collect plant data using sampling and remotely sensed infrared methods.
  • Collect field related spatial data, such as yield, moisture, and as-applied information, using farm machinery and data collection equipment.
  • Demonstrate the ability to use a Geographic Information System to organize and analyze agricultural data, and use it to make farming applications and operations decisions.
  • Demonstrate the ability to install, initialize, calibrate, operate and maintain a machine guidance system.
  • Identify geospatial equipment, software, system types, and applications of each.
  • Identify the major components of a computer system and network.
  • Exhibit the proper method of presentation of geospatial and agronomic data for consultant and end-user use in operations decision making.

Career Outcomes in
Precision Agriculture Technology

Projected Salary
$35,000– $60,000 per year

Job Placement

In 2020, Precision Agriculture Technology placed 100% of its graduates.

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Estimated Costs

Download the Estimated Program Costs Worksheet

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Faculty

View the program faculty

Faculty & Advisors

Travis Fiedler

Travis Fiedler
Precision Agriculture Technology Instructor

Office: 785-890-1573
travis.fiedler@fhnw.edu

Sravanthi Bachina

Sravanthi Bachina
Precision Agriculture Technology Instructor

Office: 785-890-1572
sravanthi.bachina@fhnw.edu

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Admissions Checklist

Below is a list of items Fort Hays Tech | Northwest’s Admissions Team will need prior to your acceptance into the Precision Agriculture Technology program.

  • A Fort Hays Tech | Northwest Application Completed and Submitted

  • High School or GED Transcript Submitted

  • (If Applicable) College Transcript Submitted

  • ACT or AccuPlacer Scores Submitted (AccuPlacer Testing can be scheduled on-site at the Fort Hays Tech | Northwest campus)

Required items can be submitted in person at the Fort Hays Tech | Northwest campus, via postal mail addressed to: Fort Hays Tech | Northwest Admissions, 1209 Harrison, Goodland, KS, or through email communications with admissions@fhnw.edu.

Testimonials

Fallon Bamford
Fallon Bamford

Precision Agriculture Technology

“Fort Hays Tech | Northwest has given me the opportunity for hands-on experience and real-world skills I can use right away in my career. The instructors care about our success and make learning engaging and practical.”

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Grant Hervey
Grant Hervey

Precision Agriculture Technology

"I’m glad I chose Northwest Tech because my instructors have been super helpful in class and on the tech farm. They have also been an enormous aid in starting my own business."