(KNZA)--With the support of a federal Title III grant, Highland Community College has hired a full-time curriculum specialist and is preparing to launch a new program in Precision Agriculture in the Fall of 2016.

As the curriculum specialist, Jacob Maurer is currently developing nine courses for the new first-year hybrid Precision Ag curriculum that can be used for an Associate in Applied Science degree and also for a two-year hands-on certificate program. In addition, he is establishing partnerships between the College and area farm equipment dealers and computer software providers, solidifying the link between computerized GPS opportunities and practical farming operations.

The new program in Precision Agriculture will be offered on the Highland campus in Wamego and at the HCC Western Center in Baileyville.

The program will offer classes that include both theoretical and practical applications with extensive lab and hands-on training.

Maurer came to the College from Farmway Cooperative, Inc. in Clay Center. A native of Great Bend, he holds both a bachelor’s and master’s degree from K-State in Agribusiness.