Sophomores from Pleasanton High School tour the NCTA campus with Rulon Taylor, recruiter. In the Ag Mechanics lab they see a center pivot tower built by irrigation technician students who also study welding and electricity. (Photo by Andela Taylor / NCTA)
Preparing the workforce at NCTA Tuesday, July 5, 2022

Dean’s Report by NCTA Dean Larry Gossen, Ph.D.

The Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture is intentional in its statewide mission developing graduates for the workforce.

Skillsets and knowledge acquired at NCTA are vast for animal health and agricultural industries.

From welding and irrigation technology to crop advisors, equine trainers, veterinary technicians and feedlot managers, we have it all when it comes to equipping future employees with the most relevant leading-edge education for our state's economic driver.

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A curious stock dog (foreground) joins three high school agriculture educators during swine evaluation on Tuesday at the Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture Ag Ed Boot Camp and Coaches Clinic in Curtis. (Andela Taylor photo / NCTA)
Boot Camp and Agronomy Day at NCTA Wednesday, June 29, 2022

Dean’s Report by NCTA Dean Larry Gossen, Ph.D.

Teachers are lifelong learners, sometimes right alongside their students. Agricultural education instructors and FFA advisors are in the classroom for a few days at the Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture.

By week’s end, 10 high school educators from Nebraska and Kansas will gain continuing education credits at an Ag Teachers Boot Camp and Coaches Clinic offered by five NCTA faculty and Chad Schmimels, who teaches at Eustis-Farnam High School.

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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). 

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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.

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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).

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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