AMERICUS — Representatives from John Deere Corporate as well as John Deere dealers from across the Southeastern United States attended an Agriculture Technology Advisory Committee meeting at South Georgia Technical College (SGTC) recently. The group held the meeting in the John M. Pope Industrial Technology building.
SGTC officials welcomed the John Deere dealers and representatives and thanked John Deere for supporting this partnership opportunity that provides trained technicians for John Deere dealers as well as provides career opportunities for South Georgia Tech graduates.
SGTC is a member of the John Deere TECH program that provides potential John Deere technicians with a comprehensive two year associate degree in agricultural technology and the opportunity for a career of a lifetime. The program in Americus began Aug. 20, 2014, and the first class of technicians graduated in December 2015. Over 30 students have been involved in this program at SGTC since it was initiated in fall of 2014.
Students in the SGTC agricultural technology program are enrolled in general education courses, but students also train and become John Deere certified in electrical and hydraulic systems as well as John Deere’s computer based diagnostic tool, Service ADVISOR™. Students utilize John Deere equipment, training components, and computer diagnostic tools to understand what makes equipment run. Students also spend time understanding engines, drive trains, and product applications for a variety of agriculture and turf machinery.
College officials and John Deere representatives reviewed the existing curriculum and program schedule, student learning outcomes, recruitment plans, advisory committee duties, tools and equipment recommendations, and internship expectations.  They also talked about enrollment, recruiting, John Deere University, and instructor training.
Todd Rice of Flint Ag and Turf in Pelham serves as president of the Agricultural Technology Advisory Committee with Scott DeMoss of SunSouth, LLC in Dothan, Ala., as vice-president. Chad Scarbor of Flint Ag and Turf as well as Bob Cunningham, Keith Rowland, David Bostic, Jenni Badding, and Kylene Deitemyeer of John Deere Corporate also attended the meeting.  SGTC officials who met with the John Deere officials included Acting President Janice Davis, Vice President of Academic Affairs John Watford, Ed.D., Vice President of Institutional Advancement Su Ann Bird, Assistant Vice President of Academic Affairs David Kuipers, Academic Dean David Finley, Student Affairs’ John Wilder and agricultural technology instructor Matthew Burks.