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University of Nebraska–Lincoln

Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture - Curtis

NCTA Launches New 100 Beef Cow Ownership Outreach Program

 CURTIS, NE, MARCH 17, 2008:  Since launching the 100-Beef Cow Ownership Program in Fall 2007, the Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture (NCTA) has been overwhelmed by the enthusiastic response by students, producers, and industry.  Some of the reaction they didn't initially plan for was from current "hired hands" interested in participating, but unable to enroll as full time students.

 The result of this response is the new 100-Beef Cow Ownership Outreach Advantage.  Slated to begin this May, this parallel program is focused on the non-traditional student who, for various reasons, is unable to take advantage of the curriculum on a full-time basis on campus.

 Dr Weldon Sleight, NCTA dean, is excited about the possibility of meeting a need for students outside of the student body on the Curtis campus.  "There are as many ranch hands that have as strong a desire to have their own herd as our current students," says Sleight.  "We knew we had to find a way to meet their needs as well."

 Developing a program to be delivered on a statewide basis presented some challenges, but many of the same components of the traditional program will be incorporated into the outreach version.  The new outreach program will consist of the following modules:

  • Farm and Ranch Management: This course covers business management concepts which are involved in the decision-making process when organizing and operating a farming/ranching operation
  • NebraskaEDGE Program: The NebraskaEDGE program is a entrepreneurial training program designed to encourage the expansion of small business, including agricultural operations
  • Nebraska Ranch Practicum: The Nebraska Ranch Practicum is a three-season, hands on educational program designed to give the participants the skill and education needed in today's complex ranching industry. This unique class is held at the West Central Research and Extension Center in North Platte and the Gudmundsen Sandhills Laboratory near Whitman , Nebraska .
  • NCTA Cow Calf College: The course is designed to assist managers in making management decisions for improving profitability.

Students who elect to participate in the program will receive instruction through distance learning at home, in addition to the onsite experiences at Gudmundsen and NCTA.  "We aim to make the class convenient, but still allow students to experience everything they need to be successful," adds Sleight.

 On Thursday, March 27, 2008, NCTA will host an informational meeting about the outreach program at their campus in Curtis.  The meeting will be held on March 27, at 1:00 PM in the NCTA Veterinary Teaching Hospital Amphitheater.

 For more information about the 100-Beef Cow Ownership Program, please contact Jeff Tidyman, Continuing Education Coordinator, at jtidyman2@unl.edu or call 1-800-3CURTIS.