Division of Agriculture
Agriculture is one of the largest industries in the United States. It surpasses all other industries, not only in the number of persons it employs, but also in service to human needs. The career opportunities for qualified persons are many, varied and attractive. As agriculture continues to become more productive and high-tech, the need for trained college graduates will increase.
Degrees
The Division of Agriculture, located in Baker Hall, offers associate degrees that prepare graduates for transfer as juniors into bachelor's degree programs at Oklahoma State University and other institutions. In addition, the Division has three AAS programs and one certificate program which are designed for immediate employment in the field.
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The A.S. in Agriculture is designed to outline the freshman and sophomore years of study for students who plan to transfer to other four-year colleges and universities to major in the wide variety of fields related to agriculture. Eastern operates a 4,000-acre farm as a living, outdoor laboratory that enables students to get real-world experience that coordinates with classroom instruction.
Eastern offers seven options in Agriculture:
Agricultural Communications
The Associate in Science in Agricultural Communications is the study of the fundamentals of agriculture, news writing and communication methods, including careers and the role of the media in agriculture and related fields.
Agricultural Economics
The Associate in Science in Agricultural Economics is the study of economics and business as it pertains to agriculture.
Agricultural Education
The Associate in Science in Agricultural Education is utilized to instruct secondary school and adult education classes, agriculture extension, as well as many government services.
Agronomy
The Associate in Science in Agronomy is the development and application of plant and soil sciences. These areas include biotechnology, business, crop and soil science, plant protection, range management and weed science.
Animal Science
The Associate in Science in Animal Science is concerned with the production and management of farm animals. Research in the selection, breeding, feeding and marketing of farm animals and developing improved methods of housing, sanitation, and parasite and disease control.
Food Science
The Associate in Science in Food Science is a discipline dedicated to providing people everywhere with safe, nutritious, high-quality and innovative foods.
Pre-Veterinary Medicine
The Associate in Science in Pre-Veterinary Medicine is designed to meet the specific requirements for transfer to a major college or university and then admission to a school of veterinary medicine.
For admission to the Agriculture program:
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The A.A.S. in Forestry Technology is designed for students who want to enter directly into the workforce in the forestry field upon earning an associate degree. Although this A.A.S. degree is not intended for university transfer, all of the general education and several of the major field courses in the program count toward the A.S. in Forestry, which is designed to prepare students to go on to a bachelor's program in forestry at other four-year colleges and universities. Our nation's forests are an important renewable resource that, if properly understood and managed, can provide a bounty of uses for generations to come. Students with a good background in agriculture who enjoy timber, water, wildlife, fisheries, range, recreation, wilderness and aesthetics will find forestry a rewarding career.
Eastern's Forest Technology program provides a complete, comprehensive program to produce a competent forest technician who can pursue employment opportunities in forestry and closely related fields. Eastern is situated in the beautiful pine-oak forests of the Ouachita Mountains and is unique in that it has more than 4,000 acres for classroom use. This enables students to get real work experience with management and conservation activities including tree planting, timber harvesting, thinning, prescribed burning and other practices to improve wood and plant production. The college also operates a tree nursery, arboretum and greenhouse. Eastern is the only institution in Oklahoma that offers a two-year technical degree program in Forest Technology and is recognized by the Society of American Foresters.
For admission to the Forest Technology program:
Forest Technology Certificate
The Certificate in Forest Technology is designed to outline the study for students who desire immediate employment opportunities in the area of forestry specific to the basic skills and knowledge required by the forest profession and industry. These will include but are not limited to the following: timber management, forest business practices, forest measurements, silviculture, timber harvesting operations, forest products manufacturing, and forest protection.
For admission to the Forest Technology program:
Forestry & Natural Resources Management
The A.S. in Forestry and Natural Resources Management is designed to outline the freshman and sophomore years of study for students who plan to transfer to other four-year colleges and universities to major in forestry or other fields related to agriculture. The sustainable management and conservation of our nation's renewable resources is essential to providing the uses and needs that society demands for generations to come. Students with a good background in agriculture who enjoy timber, water, wildlife, fisheries, range, recreation, wilderness and aesthetics will find Forestry and Natural Resources Management a rewarding career. Eastern operates a 4,000-acre farm as a living, outdoor laboratory that enables students to get real-world experience with tree planting, timber harvesting, prescribed burning and other conservation practices.
Eastern offers four options in Forestry & Natural Resources Management:
Ecosystem/Range Management
Environmental Science/Natural Resources
Forestry
Wildlife Ecology
For admission to the Forestry and Natural Resources Management program:
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The A.S. in Horticulture is designed to outline the freshman and sophomore years of study for students who plan to transfer to other four-year colleges and universities to major in the wide variety of fields related to agriculture. Horticulture is an area of agriculture concerned with the production, care and marketing of high-value food and aesthetic crops requiring intensive management practices. Horticulture includes the growing of vegetables, fruits and ornamental plants such as tree shrubs, flowers and turfgrass. Students with a good background in agriculture or the biological sciences and chemistry who enjoy working with plants will find horticulture a rewarding career.
For admission to the Horticulture program:
Greenhouse and Aquaponics Certificate Course
Eastern Oklahoma State College is a state leader in teaching aquaponics, a sustainable agriculture method of growing all-natural produce and fish using a re-circulating water system. Eastern partnered with Symbiotic Aquaponic, a nationally recognized and award-winning company, to install an aquaponics system in the college's 2,880-square-foot greenhouse. The greenhouse serves as a living laboratory for students in horticulture, agriculture education, agronomy and forestry classes. Eastern and Symbiotic Aquaponic offer one-day certificate courses and 90-day courses throughout the year. Visit the Continuing Education webpage to learn more.
Meat Processing & Food Safety
Students in the Meat Processing and Food Safety degree program receive hands-on training in the safe and proper handling of all meat. Eastern is the only institution in Oklahoma and the surrounding states that offers an associate of applied science degree in meat processing and food safety.
Eastern offers two tracks in Meat Processing & Food Safety:
Meat Processing & Food Safety (A.A.S.)
The A.A.S. in Meat Processing and Food Safety is designed to outline study for students who want to enter directly into the workforce upon earning an associate degree. Although this A.A.S. degree is not intended primarily for university transfer, all of the general education and some of the major field courses in the program will count toward a bachelor's degree at Oklahoma State University or other colleges and universities.
Meat Processing & Food Safety (Certificate)
The certificate is also designed for students who desire immediate employment opportunities in the meat processing industry with an understanding of the importance of food safety. Students may choose to take additional courses, but the completion of 24 credit hours is required to earn this certificate.
For admission to the Meat Processing and Food Safety program:
Meat Processing & Food Safety Lab
Students receive hands-on training in all aspects of the meat processing industry in Eastern's USDA-certified lab. From live animal evaluation to the making of sausages and learning the concepts and certification of HACCP, the program offers a diverse education. Most of the classes are small which enables students to receive individual attention. Eastern partners with several community schools, businesses and organizations to process meat. Custom processing is available for individuals and organizations.
Ranch Operations - Stocker Management
Students in the Ranch Operations degree program receive hands-on training in the stocker cattle industry. Students will work closely with instructors and professional ranchers to learn how to operate a small business; maintain the financial, operational, production and employment records; train and supervise personnel.
Students will benefit from the high-quality instruction and curriculum, as well as the experience of working on Eastern’s 4,000-acre ranch. Eastern has also developed agreements with additional stocker cattle producers near the college, providing students with access to more than 15,000 head of stocker cattle for training and study.
The program is designed to provide students with an overview of ranch management and hands-on training in the stocker cattle industry. Although this A.A.S. degree is not intended primarily for university transfer, all of the general education and some of the major field courses in the program will count toward a bachelor’s degree at Oklahoma State University or other universities.
Eastern offers to options in Ranch Operations - Stocker Managment:
Ranch Operations - Stocker Management (A.A.S.)
Ranch Operations - Stocker Management (Certificate)
For admission to the Ranch Operations – Stocker Management program.
Aggie Club
The Aggie Club is the largest student organization at Eastern. It is comprised mainly of students majoring in agriculture, but anyone is invited to join and participate in the activities sponsored by the club. The Aggie Club sponsors many events throughout the year such as dances, putt-putt golf, cookouts, bowling and much more. Visit the Student Organizations webpage for more information and activities.
Agriculture Competitive Teams
Eastern's nationally recognized agriculture teams travel all over the U.S. to compete. Visit the Competitive Teams webpage for more information.
EOSC Farm
Eastern operates a 4,000-acre farm as a living, outdoor laboratory that enables students to gain real-world experience in numerous agricultural areas of study. General agriculture students will benefit from a variety of hands-on livestock, agronomy and horticultural learning opportunities. Eastern runs fall and spring-calving commercial cattle, as well as a set of purebred angus cattle. Students gain hands-on experience with artificial insemination and embryo transfer with these cattle. Forestry students learn hands-on from tree planting, timber harvesting, prescribed burning and other conservation practices.
For all cattle and bull sales, please contact Tabitha Curliss at 918-465-1724 or tcurliss@eosc.edu.
Goat Buck Test
In partnership with Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service, Eastern is home to the Oklahoma Forage-Based Meat Goat Buck Test. Goat producers seeing ways to better manage their operations in ever more challenging production conditions can enroll their genetics in the popular test. Visit the Goat Buck Test webpage for more information.
EOSC Agricultural Hall of Fame
The EOSC Agricultural Hall of Fame was established in 2019 to honor individuals who have had a tremendous impact on the Division of Agriculture through the years. For more information, visit the EOSC Agricultural Hall of Fame page.
Contact
Dr. Randy Harp
Interim Division Dean
Library 151
918.465.1896
Cell: 254-485-4295
rharp@eosc.edu
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Eddie Woods
Forestry & Natural Resources Professor Emeritus
Baker Hall 214
918.465.1773
Fax: 918.465.4489
ewoods@eosc.edu
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Kolby Cato
Instructor of Agriculture/Ag Economics/Agribusiness
Baker Hall 107
918.465.1785
Cell: 918-424-9218
Fax: 918.465.
kcato@eosc.edu
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Jade Edwards
Meat Processing & Food Safety Instructor/Meat Judging Coach
Baker Hall 103 & Meat Lab
918.465.1789
jedwards3@eosc.edu
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Kallie Clifton
Instructor of Agronomy & Horticulture
Baker Hall 109
918.465.1726
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Andrew Anderson
Instructor of Agriculture
Baker Hall 101
Phone: 918.465.1719
aanderson@eosc.edu
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Tabitha Curliss
Administrative Assistant
Baker Hall 100
918.465.1724
Fax: 918.465.4489
tcurliss@eosc.edu
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