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The College of Central Florida recently was certified as a National Institute of Food and Agriculture Non-Land-Grant College of Agriculture. 91��Ƭ is one of only three Florida educational institutions with this designation from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, alongside Florida State University and Florida International University, and is the only college in the Florida College System to earn this certification.

91��Ƭ joins the ranks of 82 universities and just five other colleges nationwide with this designation, which makes 91��Ƭ now eligible to apply for specific sources of federal funding to build capacity, enhance academic programs and strengthen partnerships with local businesses and organizations. 91��Ƭ is the only Florida state college that offers an Associate in Science degree in Agribusiness Management, and 91��Ƭ’s Vintage Farm Campus is the only working farm campus within the Florida College System.

“The Vintage Farm Campus is quickly becoming one of the College of Central Florida’s most high-tech educational facilities,” said Dr. Jim Henningsen, 91��Ƭ president. “This certification shows the potential for Marion County to become a hub for cultivating cutting-edge agriculture and equine talent for the entire state of Florida. With our area producing nearly $400 million in agriculture exports each year and generating an economic impact of more than $4 billion through our equine industry, 91��Ƭ is positioned to be the top educational provider for agribusiness career training, talent development and applied research.”

The Non-Land-Grant College of Agriculture designation is a key aspect of the 91��Ƭ Vintage Farm Plan for the Future, a five-year strategic plan for 2025-2029. One of the plan’s priorities is to obtain funding to expand 91��Ƭ’s training space with a state-of-the-art simulation lab, vocational lab and additional classroom space to accommodate the growing numbers of students interested in agribusiness and equine careers.

Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson, a lifelong farmer, has recognized 91��Ƭ’s creative approach to expanding workforce education.

“91��Ƭ has been ahead of the curve each time they have accommodated their local communities to make sure that they’re producing the workforce that is needed,” Simpson said. “You have this gem in Central Florida at 91��Ƭ that’s growing our talent for tomorrow’s jobs.”

For more information on College of Central Florida’s Agribusiness Management program, visit 91��Ƭ.edu/Agribusiness. For more information on the 91��Ƭ Vintage Farm Campus, visit 91��Ƭ.edu/VintageFarm.