ST. PAUL - Senator Carrie Ruud, R-Breezy Point, recently attend the launch of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities Center of Excellence in Agriculture at the Minnesota Department of Agriculture in St. Paul.
The program, named AgCentric, will be a strong advocate for agriculture; strengthen career pathways in agriculture, natural resources, and horticulture; provide workforce development; support the adult farm business management programs; and expand regional, state, national and international partnerships with K-12, higher education, business and government.
"As innovation in agriculture technology continues to grow, the workforce need for training and customized education will also continue to grow," said Ruud in a news release. "We are going to continue to need an educated and quality workforce in the agricultural industry. Agriculture is the fifth largest industry in the state and is currently under represented by education."
"We are excited about the opportunity to serve agriculture and the role that AgCentric can play in expanding this important sector of our state economy through education, research and support for our farmers and agri-businesses," said Larry Lundblad, president of Central Lakes College.
AgCentric includes Ridgewater College, Willmar/Hutchinson; Northland College, Thief River Falls/East Grand Forks; and Central Lakes College, Staples/Brainerd.
