Dairy Farm Management Technology
Program Summary
Students in the Dairy Farm Management Technology program develop the skills and knowledge they need to operate a profitable modern dairy farm or a successful career in the agribusiness industry. The program is unique that it integrates classroom instruction with hands-on experience at the college farm as well as local dairy businesses. The program also benefits from working closely with industry representatives to expose students to new technologies as they become available in the marketplace.
Areas of Study
The program features the college's 500-acre working farm and registered Holstein and Brown Swiss herd of 98 cows and a full compliment of replacements. The modern dairy operation has a Germania - afimilk double-four herringbone milking parlor. The farm is continually looking at new ways to improve profitability and many are completed through student design and input. The farm also serves as a place for many students to be employed.
Training in dairy farm management is directed at providing production know-how along with decision-making ability. For this reason, students supplement their dairy farm coursework with take courses in:
- Accounting;
- Financial Management and Small Business Management;
- Computer applications; and
- Agriculture courses in students' chosen area of specialization;
Many program graduates continue their education at a four year university or return to their family businesses. Others pursue career opportunities such as:
- Herd managers;
- A.I. industry representatives;
- DHIA testers;
- Agri-Service positions.
Enrollment Options
All potential students may apply for admission through the admissions office.
Students from the state of Vermont may apply for admission to the Farm and Agricultural Resource Management Stewards (F.A.R.M.S.) program offered in cooperation with the University of Vermont F.A.R.M.S. This program offers a seamless transition from dairy farm management at Vermont Tech to a second two years at the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at UVM.
Full-tuition scholarships are available to Vermont students in F.A.R.M.S.
Prerequisites and Other Requirements
The minimum credits required for an Associate's degree is 66.
Campus Locations
The Dairy Farm Management Technology program is offered at Vermont Tech's main campus in Randolph Center.