Industry partnerships were key in the development of the Crop Protection Application program. This program was a direct result of our partners’ input regarding the need for trained and educated crop protection professionals. With their assistance and support, the Crop Protection Application program was developed to insure that students entering the program receive the training and background to succeed in the crop protection industry.
Our partners continue to play an active role helping insure content and curriculum match the needs of students and industry. They provide employment opportunities for students, allowing for the development of good work habits, hands-on experience, career exploration, and much needed income for education.
Our partners participate in a variety of ways throughout the year. They meet with our students during Agriculture Orientation providing a real world perspective of careers in agriculture. Field trips and participation in College To Community Day help students develop industry connections. Many give up two evenings a year to meet at the college to provide input and advice on keeping our programs current.
The Barton County Farm Bureau sponsors a Collegiate Farm Bureau Chapter at the college. Their sponsorship allows students the opportunity to attend local and statewide events where they can develop connections in the Ag world and gain exposure to the broad world of agriculture in Kansas and the United States. Their sponsorship includes monetary support allowing students to attend major events like the Young Farmer and Rancher Conference every January in Wichita at no cost.
Crop production manager at the Great Bend CO-OP was instrumental in helping develop and support the Crop Protection Application program at Barton. They make a point of actively seeking Barton graduates and Marvin Rose explains his reasons why:
“Here at the Great Bend COOP we have 28 employees in the agronomy department. We have 3 full time agronomists, management personnel, tender truck drivers, and 10 chemical operators. We always strive to maintain our personnel because our patrons like longevity, however, the hours worked can take a toll both physically and on family life so we have some turnover.
We have worked closely with Barton Community College and have hired students that have graduated from the crop protection program. These employees have been well trained and educated so that they can step up to the plate and are able to meet the demands that we require of them. We are thankful to have Barton Community College here to help support our company with quality students.”
Advisory Board Members
| Michael Bahr | Independent Crop Consultant |
| Kent Blakeslee | Ellinwood High School |
| Jon Nickless | Great Bend Feeding |
| Jennifer Pfortmiller | K-State at Barton |
| John Sullivan | Great Bend Coop |
| Cap Proffitt | Barton County Feeders |
| Ron Carr | Golden Belt Feeders |
| Andrew Murphy | Innovative Livestock Services |
| Aaron Spainier | Innovative Livestock Services |
| Chris Burris | Ward Feedyard |
| Marvin Rose | Great Bend Coop |
| Frank Riedl | Great Bend Coop |
| Hugh Mounday | Pawnee County Coop |
| Roland Martin | Pawnee County Coop |
| Johnny Schaben | Farm Service Center |
| Daren Lang | United Ag Service |
| Reuel Foote | Stafford Co Flour Mill |
| Bryan Nickelson | Kanza Coop |
| Jim Clark | Clark Ag |
| Robert Johnson | Great Bend High School |
| Merlin Spare | Stafford High School |
| Wayne Dewerff | Cal Maine Foods |
| John Haas | Self-employed Farmer |
| Jerry Morgenstern | Barton Co. Farm Bureau |
