Southwest Tech is proud to offer a new Precision Agronomy program, designed to equip students with cutting-edge skills in agricultural technology, crop management, and data-driven decision-making. This innovative program combines classroom instruction with hands-on experience on our newly acquired 80 acres of cropland, ensuring graduates gain practical, work-based learning opportunities. With access to advanced equipment and real-world scenarios, students will be fully prepared to lead and innovate in the evolving agricultural industry.
  • Overview

  • Is This Program for You?

    The Precision Agronomy program is perfect for individuals passionate about agriculture who are ready to embrace the future of farming. If you’re curious about using cutting-edge technology to improve crop management, want to make data-driven decisions, and enjoy working hands-on in the field, this program is for you. Ideal candidates are those who have a strong connection to rural life, a desire to contribute to the sustainability and profitability of farming in Southwest Wisconsin, and an eagerness to lead agriculture into a new era.

    Students entering the Precision Agronomy program should:

    • Have an interest in combining traditional farming practices with innovative technology.
    • Be excited to learn about GPS-guided equipment, soil analysis, and crop management tools.
    • Enjoy hands-on learning experiences, including working on our newly acquired 80 acres of cropland.
    • Have a strong commitment to supporting the agriculture industry in rural communities.
    • Be motivated to enhance sustainability, efficiency, and productivity in farming.

    Program Basics

    • Length: Two-year associate degree
    • Format: Combines classroom learning with hands-on fieldwork on 80 acres of cropland
    • Focus Areas: Precision farming technology, soil science, crop management, and sustainable agriculture practices
    • Career Outlook: Graduates will be prepared for careers as precision agronomists, crop consultants, farm managers, or ag-tech specialists, with opportunities to work in agricultural cooperatives, private farms, or agribusiness companies
    • Location: Southwest Tech, situated in the heart of Wisconsin's agricultural region, providing real-world learning in a rural setting
  • Curriculum & Costs

  • Cost of Attendance (COA) 26-27

    Cost of Attendance (COA) is a total of all the usual expenses of being a student. The COA sets the maximum amount of financial aid a student can receive.

    Category Amount
    Tuition and Fees $5,240
    Living Expenses (Housing and Food) $10,910
    Books and Supplies $1,463
    Personal Expenses $3,084
    Transportation 3,899
    Charger Tech 360 Fee $700
    Loan Fees $85
    Yearly Total (Living Away from Home) $25,381
    1 Semester Total (Living Away from Home) $12,691

    Based on Wisconsin Residents.

    Approximate school costs are for a full-time (12 credit) student over a semester span of 17 weeks.

    Fees are legislated by the Wisconsin Technical College System Board.

    These costs are estimates and are subject to change without notice.

  • Admissions & Requirements

  • Admission Requirements


    Academic Preparedness Requirements

      Before you can be fully accepted into your program, you need to complete the requirements below. These are the same requirements you may see in your SWTC Student Portal.

    • Submit Official High School, College, Military Transcripts, and Test Scores (Not Required)
      Have documents sent directly to:
      • Email: admissions@swtc.edu
      • Mail: Southwest Wisconsin Technical College, Attn: Admissions, 1800 Bronson Blvd, Fennimore, WI 53809
    • Meet with Your Advisor for an Admissions Meeting
      Schedule an admission meeting with your program advisor to complete your student success plan, including a career assessment and academic map and support plan.

      To schedule your meeting, go to the Appointments page. Find your advisor in the list, then select Make an Appointment under their contact information.

      Appointments are available on campus or virtually.

      • If you want to check which of these requirements you still need to complete, log in to your SWTC Student Portal, go to My Profile → Document Center, and make sure All Programs is selected.

  • Outcomes

  • Program Outcomes

    At the completion of this program, students are expected to be able to:

    • Analyze opportunities in agriculture.
    • Apply relevant technologies.
    • Demonstrate professionalism skills within the agricultural career areas.
    • Develop a management plan in agriculture.
    • Develop a crop management plan.

    Related Degrees

  • Career Opportunities

  • Graduates obtain positions in a wide variety of specialty areas, and there is a vast amount of potential for those who have mid-management or upper-management career aspirations. The demand in this field is expected to remain high for several years in such jobs as:

    • Precision Agronomist: Specializes in applying precision agriculture technologies to optimize crop production and resource management.
    • Crop Consultant: Advises farmers on crop management practices, including the use of precision agriculture techniques
    • Precision Agriculture Technician: Performs systems/ equipment installations and provides technical support for assigned product lines.
    • GIS Technician: Uses Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to map and analyze spatial data for precision farming applications.
    • Farm Manager: Oversees farm operations, including the implementation of precision agronomy practices to enhance crop production.
    • Agricultural Technology Sales Representative: Sells precision agriculture products and solutions, such as software, sensors, and machinery, to farmers and agribusinesses.
    • Soil Scientist Technician: Studies soil properties and their impact on crop growth, often using precision agriculture tools to collect and analyze soil data.
    • Entrepreneurship: By applying innovative business strategies and technical knowledge, you can identify new income streams, optimize resource use, and increase the overall efficiency of your farm.

    Southwest Tech's Career Services Center offers services to assist students looking for job placement.

    Find a Job
  • Transfers
  • Prior Learning

  • Credit for Prior Learning

    Experience Pays! You've Been There... You've Done That... Let's See If You Can Get Credit For It!

    Credit for prior learning gives you opportunities to earn credit for college-level knowledge that you have already acquired. This may be the result of work or volunteer experiences, certifications, apprenticeships, military training, extensive self-instruction, or professional development. Credit for Prior Learning affords you the opportunity to accelerate the completion of your educational goals.

    For more information on Credit for Prior Learning see our Credit for Prior Learning page.

    Agronomy Courses that may have Credit for Prior Learning options:

    Course # Course Title
    Challenge Exam
    (Demonstration)
    Challenge Exam
    (Standard)
    CLEP
    Credential
    Portfolio
    10-006-197Agribusiness Experiential LearningYes
    10-103-106Beginning Microsoft ExcelYes
    Any Microsoft MOS certification (even an old certification) will also be considered for CPL
    10-801-136English Composition IYes
    CLEP Test - College Composition
    10-801-198SpeechYes
    10-809-196Intro to SociologyYes