UF AG ED Program At Chipola On Hold

MARIANNA—Dr. Mark Rieger, interim dean of the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences at the University of Florida, has informed Chipola College officials that the Agricultural Education program proposed for the Chipola campus is only in the discussion phase and may require years to implement, if it is to be implemented at all.

Citing pending budgetary concerns faced by UF, Dr. Rieger, said, “More work needs to be done and a far more favorable environment for new program development needs to arise.” He cited the need for the program to be fully self-funded and a lack of good data on student interest as the main reasons for the shift in priority for the program.

Chipola officials have championed the program based on an initial interest survey indicating “a very positive response for both program interest and perceived need for the program in this region,” according to Bud Riviere, Workforce Development dean at Chipola. “We regret the change in direction regarding the program,” Riviere said.

For information about the future of the program, contact Dr. Reiger at (352)-392-1961.