Hinds Community College Blog

Student recipients of the “Outstanding Student Awards” presented on April 11, 2014 at Students Awards Day were selected by the faculty in the various departments across the district. Here on the Raymond campus our Career Technical Education students receiving awards are especially special to us and we would like to recognize their superior achievement within their subject area by letting you get to know them a little better. Here are a few of their instructors’ comments and thoughts from awards day concerning their students. 

John Mark Kirby - Agriculture

John Mark Kirby is the recipient of the “Outstanding Student Award” for Agriculture. While at Hinds he has been an active member of the HCC Agriculture Club and Phi Theta Kappa. Kirby is also a Dean’s Scholar. During his spare time, John Mark has participated in Intramural Sports at the college. John Mark is the recipient of a Mississippi Cattlemen’s Association Scholarship and has assisted the Cattlemen’s Association with projects including helping with the Beef Booth at the Mississippi State Fair.

John Mark has started his own cattle herd and is responsible for the care and maintenance of the cattle and pasture that is required for them. After completing his degree at Hinds he plans to transfer to Mississippi State to continue his education in Agriculture Information Science. Dr. Roger Jones, Agriculture Department Chair and Instructor, said, “I am excited about his possible contributions to the Industry in the future.”

John Mark is the son of Lea and Tim Kirby of Raymond.  He is a graduate of Central Hinds Academy where he was All District in football and received the Cougar Spirit Award.  John Mark was an active member of the Hinds County Livestock Club for a number of years where he exhibited champion livestock at the Hinds County Livestock Show, Southwest Mississippi Show and Dixie National Roundup. He was president of the 4H Hinds County Livestock Club from 2010-2013. 

 

Tandon Baker - Agribusiness Management Technology

Tandon Baker is recipient of the “Outstanding Student Award” for Agribusiness Management Technology. He is a member of Phi Theta Kappa and HCC Agriculture Club. Tandon is a Dean’s Scholar with a cumulative GPA of 3.76.

 

Tandon plans to continue his education at a university majoring in Agronomy upon graduation from Hinds. His career goal is to become involved in the field of Agriculture Supplies and Sales. He has been awarded the Tallulah Mason’s Honesty and Integrity Award. Dr. Roger Jones, Agriculture Department Chair and Instructor said, “Upon getting to know Tandon it is not hard to understand why.  If you want his honest opinion on a topic, just ask him and that’s exactly what you get and you learn to appreciate that about him. I know his contributions in the field of agriculture in the future will be many.”

Tandon is the son of Vicki and John Edward Baker from Tallulah, Louisiana. He graduated from Tallulah Academy where he was All District and Defensive MVP in football. A multiple sport player, Tandon was also All District in baseball and basketball.  

Cory Pritchard - Aviation Maintenance

The Aviation Maintenance Technology Program proudly recognizes Cory Pritchard with its Superior Achievement Award for 2013-2014. According to Marion Eifling, Air Frame Power Plant Instructor, students in Aviation Maintenance are unique. Usually, from a young age, they have had a desire to be around airplanes, leading them to a professional career in the aerospace industry. Cory Pritchard is pursuing his associate degree in AviationMaintenance Technology.  While a student at Hinds, he is also working as a full-time employee of L-3, an aerospace systems organization. As expected of all students in the program, he is of exceptional integrity, high moral character and a responsible individual with dependable work ethics. We selected this individual because of the initiative he takes as he participates in the classroom and hangar work projects. He can always be depended upon to be on time and present for work and accomplishes assigned tasks with skill and minimal supervision.  His quiet demeanor, dedication and professionalism are traits that make him stand out among his peers. 

Tracey Blocker - Interpreter Training Technology

Sandra Hester, Interpreter Training Department Chairperson, presented the Interpreter Training Technology “Outstanding Student Award” to Tracy Blocker. Tracy is what we call a “non-traditional” student but she is also oneof the most “traditional” students I have ever had the pleasure of having. While Tracey waited until her daughter was ready for college to return to pursue her own degree, Tracey wasn’t wasting time. And she doesn’t waste it now. With a 4.0 GPA and being a member of the PTK and very active in her church, Ridgecrest Baptist Church, she tries to do it all. And pretty much succeeds. She is a favorite with her teachers as well as her peers, due to her willingness to work and help others. Tracey has already taken the state exam for interpreters and has received a QA Level 2! She also has a job lined up after graduation, where else but here at Hinds as an interpreter with the Disability Support Services Office. She has worked hard and is now reaping the benefits. 

Craig Gilbert - Land Surveying

Jeff Lewis, Drafting and Design instructor and PLS, presented the “Outstanding Student Award” to Craig Gilbert. Craig is a Land Surveying Major in the Drafting and Design Program and will graduate in May. He is an exceptional student. He always gives 110% in all of his study efforts, which is reflected in his grades. He does everything to insure that he understands the material; including staying late, asking questions or anything else he feels can help him achieve his goals. Quick story:  The only time he didn’t do well on a test is after he met his current girlfriend Clair. He came into class looking all confused on test day. I asked him what’s wrong; he said “I think I’m in love”. That was not his best test grade.

He is the recipient of:

National Society of Professional Surveyors Berntsen International Scholarship.

• The Mississippi Association of Professional Surveyors Scholarship.

• Inducted into Phi Theta Kappa Honors Society.

• Made the dean’s list every semester here at Hinds.

It has truly been a pleasure having Craig in the Land Surveying Program and we wish him only the best in his future endeavors. 

CTE from A to Z: Agribusiness Management

I was thinking…..what do you want to be when you grow up? What about a career in agribusiness management? Not a path you’ve ever considered? Did you know agriculture is Mississippi’s number one industry? 29% of the state’s workforce is employed in the agriculture industry which makes a significant contribution to all 82 counties. Let’s take a look at just what it is and some of the jobs in that area. Agribusiness includes everything from food processing, livestock production, machinery and equipment suppliers to grain farmers and dairy cow operations. Farmers, ranchers, and other agricultural managers run establishments that produce crops, livestock, and dairy products. This includes everything from the family farm that has been handed down from generation to generation to farms owned by large corporations.

What are some of their day to day duties in this field?

• Agricultural managers, farmers and ranchers supervise all steps of the crop production and ranging process. This includes planting, fertilizing, harvesting, and herding of livestock. 

• Market conditions, federal program availability, and soil conditions are just some of the factors which determine how to raise crops or livestock.

• Seed, fertilizers, and farm machinery are just a few of the supplies which much be selected and purchased.

• Farm machinery must be repaired and serviced.

• A crop’s growing cycle, weather conditions and seasons will cause one to adapt their duties accordingly. 

• Farm facilities must be maintained.

• Be responsible for the sale of livestock and crops.

• Keep financial, tax, production, and employee records

What are some of the career opportunities?

Farmers and ranchers own and operate mainly family-owned farms. On smaller farms the farmer and rancher usually do a little bit of everything. Not only will they have to grow crops and raise animals but they will also be responsible for servicing equipment, maintaining buildings and fences as well as keeping the financial records. 

For those working on large farms often owned by corporations it is a very different scenario. They often supervise employees—including agricultural workers—who help with physical work. Some employees of large farms are in nonfarm occupations, working as truck drivers, sales representatives, bookkeepers, and IT specialists.

Both farmers and ranchers monitor the operation of machinery and maintain their equipment and facilities. They track technological improvements in animal breeding and seeds, choosing new products that might improve output. Many livestock and dairy farmers monitor and attend to the health of their herds, which may include assisting in births.

Agricultural managers take care of the day-to-day operation of one or more farms, ranches, nurseries, timber tracts, greenhouses, and other agricultural establishments for corporations, farmers, and owners who do not live and work on their farm or ranch. They hire and supervise farm and livestock workers to do most daily production tasks. Managers decide how to store and transport crops as well as oversee the proper maintenance of equipment and property. 

    

Agribusiness consists of all of the following categories: Production agriculture, agriscience processing, products, & distribution, horticulture, forestry, reusable natural resources, agriscience supplies & services, agriculture mechanics and agriculture professions.  

Precision Agriculture applies geospatial technologies, including geographic information systems (GIS) and Global Positioning System (GPS), to agricultural production and management activities. It employs the use of computers to develop or analyze maps or remote sensing images to compare physical topography with data on soils, fertilizer, pests or weather. 

The following are examples of types of agricultural managers, farmers and ranchers and agribusiness:

• Crop farmers and managers - are responsible for everything from the initial planning stages of planting to the harvest of grain, fruits, vegetables and other crops.  They are also responsible for the storing and packaging of the crops. 

• Livestock, dairy, and poultry farmers, ranchers, and managers oversee breeding as well as feed and care for animals.

• Horticultural specialty farmers and managers oversee the production of fruits, vegetables, flowers, and plants (including turf) used for landscaping. They also grow grapes, berries, and nuts used in making wine.

• Aquaculture farmers and managers raise fish and shellfish in ponds. They stock, feed, protect, and maintain aquatic life used for food and for recreational fishing. Mississippi has become famous for its “farm raised” catfish. 

• Agribusiness areas related to production agriculture include Farm Service Agencies, the Extension Service, National Resource Services and Agriculture Experiment Stations to name a few of the career possibilities.  These careers account for one-fifth of all jobs in the agriscience field. This means 4 out of 5 employees in this field have jobs that are not actually on the farm. 

 

In the past, experience growing up on a family farm was the way one learned this trade but as farm and land management has become more complex completing a degree has become a necessity. The Agribusiness Management Technology program at Hinds Community College is located at the Ted Kendall Agricultural Complex on Seven Springs Road in Raymond, Mississippi.  It is designed to provide students with training in a variety of agriculture related areas. Agribusiness Management Technology is concerned with the economic interrelationships affecting individuals, firms and service agencies that are affected by the agriculture sector of the economy. The program is designed for students desiring to enter the broad range of jobs related to the management of agricultural enterprises and the marketing and sales of agriculture supplies and products.  Choosing a career can be a challenge, but it doesn’t have to be overwhelming.  For more information concerning this program contact Dr. Roger Jones at 601.857.3333 or Roger.Jones@hindscc.edu.