EAST LANSING — The Michigan State University Institute of Agricultural Technology is offering academic programs in partnership with Southwestern Michigan College and six other community colleges across the state in which students can earn certificates in program areas ranging from agriculture, animal science, landscaping and turf management to viticulture.

The IAT has offered certificate courses in East Lansing for more than 100 years. Now MSU has partnered with Southwestern Michigan College, West Shore Community College, Muskegon Community College, Montcalm Community College, Northwestern Michigan College, Delta College and Glen Oaks Community College to offer a variety of certificate programs at each location.

“Partnering with area community colleges gives us the opportunity to bring programs that will lead to employment in those communities,” said Randy Showerman, IAT director. “Together with the community colleges, we have identified programs that match those areas of the state where the need for qualified candidates is the greatest. For instance, in the Traverse City and Dowagiac areas, the grape and wine industry is bustling, so we are offering the viticulture certificate in those areas. Our goal is to help students get employed in high-demand careers in Michigan’s agricultural sector, one of our state’s leading economic players.”

All IAT certificate programs can be completed in two years, including a required professional internship experience. Classes in IAT certificate programs are taught by faculty and staff members of the MSU College of Agriculture and Natural Resources (CANR), so students gain from the research and Extension programs at MSU. The IAT is housed in the CANR.

The community college partnerships allow students to work toward associate degrees from the community colleges while they earn their MSU IAT certificates.

The community college partnership programs are Agricultural Operations, Applied Horse Science, Fruit and Vegetable Crop Management, Landscape Management and Viticulture.