Class of 2022 Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture commencement on May 5 at the Curtis Memorial Community Center. (Photo by Staci Blomstedt / NCTA News)
Aggie Class of ‘22 graduates Tuesday, June 28, 2022

By NCTA News

The Class of 2022 of the Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture in Curtis represented graduates from December and May, said Larry Gossen, NCTA dean.

NCTA has one commencement ceremony each year. On May 5, at the Curtis Community Center, 76 of the 80 graduate candidates participated before a packed gymnasium.

They received diplomas for Associate of Science degrees or Associate of Applied Science degrees in Agribusiness Management Systems (AMS), Agricultural Production Systems (APS) or Veterinary Technology Systems (VTS). 

Read Aggie Class of ‘22 graduates
Youth can learn how drones can be used for aerial views and crop management by attending the 2022 Agronomy Youth Field Day on July 6 at the Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture. (Nebraska Extension photo)
Agronomy Youth Field Day is July 6 in Curtis Tuesday, June 21, 2022

By NCTA NEWS

Youth can get a new perspective of growing crops out in the field through the eyes of an aerial drone.

The 6th annual Agronomy Youth Field Day will be Wednesday, July 6 at Curtis, sponsored by Nebraska Extension and the Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture.

NCTA Agronomy Professor Brad Ramsdale will join researchers and educators from University of Nebraska Extension for the free, daylong workshop geared toward youth, ages 9 to 18.

Read Agronomy Youth Field Day is July 6 in Curtis
Aggies at the Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture. (Photo by George Hipple / NCTA)
2022-23 budget renews tuition freeze Tuesday, June 21, 2022

By NCTA Dean Larry Gossen and the University of Nebraska

CURTIS -  The University of Nebraska budget requests for five campuses, including the Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture, go before the NU Board of Regents on Thursday (June 23).

Read 2022-23 budget renews tuition freeze
Six graduates of the Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture join Dr. Doug Smith during the Nebraska Agricultural Educators Association conference. Smith was honored for 10 years of teaching. From left, Amanda Schmidt, Kayla Mues, Kara Reimers, Smith, Katelyn Day, Evey Choat and Morgan Segner. The alumni are among 24 NCTA graduates currently teaching agriculture education. (Andela Taylor / NCTA)
Whirlwind of events in agriculture, education Wednesday, June 15, 2022

Dean’s Message by Larry Gossen, Ph.D.

Summer classes began Monday at the Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture.  Welcome back to our Veterinary Technology community who comprise the on-campus courses.

While few college students have been milling about campus the past month, things have certainly not been quiet.

In fact, it seems to have been a whirlwind of activities and events since late May when the summer day camps and sessions began.  We appreciate the public partnerships for these successful programs.

Read Whirlwind of events in agriculture, education
Riley, NCTA vet tech student, with a small pet that will be at Critter Camp on June 24. (George Hipple photo for NCTA)
Youngsters invited to Critter Camp Tuesday, June 14, 2022

By NCTA News

Pocket pets, turtles, cats, dogs and more will be a part of Critter Camp at Curtis.

Youngsters 7 to 10 years of age can attend Critter Camp on Friday, June 24 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Youth can spend the day learning about animals in the Veterinary Technology program at the University of Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture.

Vet Tech students in summer session will share what is like to work with animals in a veterinary clinic and the different jobs that people have in working with cats, dogs, small pets, birds, exotics and more.

Read Youngsters invited to Critter Camp
The NCTA Community Award for 2022 was presented to Mary Rittenhouse by Larry Gossen, dean of the Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture.  (Crawford / NCTA photo)
Community Award for Service Tuesday, June 14, 2022

By NCTA News

Community service volunteer and campus mentor well describe the many contributions of Mary Rittenhouse.

The Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture recognized Rittenhouse, a Curtis resident and associate professor of Agriculture Business Management, with the NCTA Community Award.

“Mary’s contributions to our campus community are invaluable,” said Larry Gossen, NCTA dean. “Time and time again, she gives of herself to assist others in Curtis and here with our campus family.”

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David Fulton (center) Aggie Alumni Association president, joins NCTA recruiters Andela and Rulon for an afternoon at the Nebraska Cattlemen's Classic. (NCTA News photo)
Linking Aggie Alumni Association with campus graduates Thursday, June 9, 2022

Dean’s Message by Larry Gossen, Ph.D.

This summer the Aggie Alumni Association at the Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture will forego a traditional all-school reunion in Curtis.

Instead, the board will host a virtual annual business meeting over lunch time on Thursday, June 23.

Aggie Alumni Association president Dave Fulton outlines the plan for 2022 activities as part of this week’s Message from the NCTA Dean.

Read Linking Aggie Alumni Association with campus graduates
High school teachers at the 2021 NCTA Ag Mechanics Boot Camp work on small engines in a class with Dan Stehlik, second on right. The 2022 Boot Camp adds more topics and clinics for FFA coaches. (Andela Taylor / NCTA photo)
Boot camp for agriculture teachers, coaches Thursday, June 9, 2022

By NCTA NEWS

High school agriculture teachers and FFA coaches can take summer short courses on June 26-28 and June 28-30 in Curtis.

Instructors will receive guided, hands-on training at the Ag Teacher Boot Camp and Coaches Clinic at the Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture.

The two-day workshops will give teachers and coaches the basics of meats science, agronomy, livestock evaluation, ag business and equine management, or ag mechanics courses on small engines, equipment hydraulics, AC electrical wiring and DC electrical components.

Read Boot camp for agriculture teachers, coaches
A highlight for Spring 2022 was NCTA hosting 42 colleges for the North American Colleges and Teachers of Agriculture contests in North Platte such as crops judging among the 13 competitions which drew 500 students and their coaches. (NCTA News photo) .
NCTA: Year in Review - Part 2 Tuesday, May 31, 2022

January – May 2022

Dean’s Message by Larry Gossen, Ph.D.

Reflection on the past year for our Aggie campus community and the Class of 2022 brought many memories to the fore. Last week in Part 1, we noted a few highlights for May to December 2021 at the Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture.

In Part 2, we look at January through May of 2022:

January

Read NCTA: Year in Review - Part 2
Six Agricultural Education majors from the Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture assisted with the Aggie exhibit booth at Husker Harvest Days in Grand Island. (R. Taylor / NCTA photo)
NCTA: Year in Review - Part 1 Friday, May 27, 2022

May 2021- Dec. 2021 Highlights

Dean’s Message by Larry Gossen, Ph.D.

The Class of 2022 has experienced many events from their final year together at the Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture.

In reflecting upon my second academic year at NCTA, here are a few of the most memorable events from May through December 2021:

May 2021

Read NCTA: Year in Review - Part 1