Inver Hills Community College, Dakota County 4-H/University of MN partner to offer Academy for Environmental, Food and Agricultural Sciences

Inver Grove Heights, Minn. — The Summer Academy for Environmental, Food and Agricultural Sciences at Inver Hills Community College (July 15-19, 2019) offers the opportunity for students entering the 10, 11 & 12th grades to spend one week exploring career opportunities in the environmental, food and agricultural sciences.

The goal of the Academy is to include students who might not traditionally think of pursuing such a career, and who may not realize the breadth of opportunities available. There is a critical shortage of qualified candidates in the fields of food, environmental and agriculture sciences. Most of these jobs require a college degree. Ninety – four percent of 2016 Minnesota agriculture, food & natural resources graduates were in full time jobs in their field within 6 months of graduation. These graduates have an average starting salary of $55,000+.

Certified teachers and content experts will be leading each session. Students will create their own plantings for pollinators, learn veterinary and small animal handling techniques, make cheese, investigate biosecurity practices, explore forestry and wildlife, wire lights in parallel, experiment with sustainable practices for clean water, soil & air…wear waders, catch frogs for citizen science, and play in the dirt!

There will also be field trips to the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities campus and to the University of Wisconsin in River Falls. Friday will focus on career & college readiness, with a family workshop on navigating college options & financing.

The Academy, in its fifth year, is a collaborative effort with Inver Hills Community College and Dakota County 4-H/ University of Minnesota Extension, and is made possible due to donations from CHS, Inver Hills Foundation and other generous sponsors.