CF to offer state’s first Precision Agriculture associate degree

The College of Central Florida will offer the state’s first Associate in Science degree in Precision Agriculture beginning in the Fall 2026 semester. The new curriculum, developed by CF faculty, was approved by the State Board of Education at its Nov. 13 meeting.

“The College of Central Florida is proud to be leading the way in agriculture education that prepares students to succeed in today’s high-tech agriculture industry,” said Dr. James Henningsen, CF president. “This new Precision Agriculture degree was developed to support Florida’s growing need for skilled professionals in our state’s second largest industry.”

While CF currently offers an associate degree in Agribusiness Management that focuses on agricultural operations and management, the new Precision Agriculture degree is meant to prepare technician-level practitioners of precision agricultural practices who employ cutting-edge technology including drones, sensors, robotics, artificial intelligence and automated equipment and harvesting in order to improve production and conserve natural resources such as land and water. Graduates will be well prepared for immediate employment in roles such as precision agriculture specialists, agronomic consultants, farm data analysts, drone operators and equipment technicians.

The new curriculum was developed by Tavis Douglass, CF associate professor and program manager for Agribusiness Management, with input from CF’s partners including University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and the Florida High Tech Corridor.

“CF is emerging as a major partner in efforts to boost rural economies through agricultural technology innovation, technical assistance, entrepreneurial training, workforce development and business recruitment,” said Scott Angle, the University of Florida’s senior vice president for agriculture and natural resources and head of the UF Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences. “CF appreciates and supports the need to integrate technology into traditional production if agriculture is to remain the state’s number two industry. The new degree will make CF a stronger partner than ever in these efforts.”

CF, which was designated a National Institute of Food and Agriculture Non-Land-Grant College of Agriculture last year, gives students the unique opportunity to learn hands-on at the 103-acre CF Vintage Farm Campus, the only working farm campus in the Florida College System.

For more information, visit CF.edu/Agribusiness.