If Riverland Community College students know one thing, it’s agriculture.

That’s why Riverland was awarded the 2012 Minnesota Outstanding Postsecondary/Adult Agricultural Education Program by the National Association of Agricultural Educators, or NAAE.

NAAE recognizes the nation’s most successful agricultural education programs by highlighting local programs and teachers that achieve success. Winners are educators who have developed an outstanding agricultural education program at either the postsecondary or adult education level. Applicants are judged on a variety of criteria, including teaching philosophy, effective classroom and experiential instruction, development of partnerships, and professional growth.

Riverland Community College competed against other award-winning schools from surrounding states for the opportunity to be named the 2012 Region III NAAE Outstanding Postsecondary/Adult Ag Ed program. Regional winners will receive use of a Toyota Tundra pickup truck for two years, an expense-paid trip to attend the 2012 NAAE convention and an invitation to a special awards dinner held in their honor. The NAAE Outstanding Postsecondary/Adult Ag Ed Program award is sponsored by Toyota as a special project of the National FFA Foundation.

The Riverland Farm Business Management program is designed to help organize a farmer’s resources to assist in meeting family and financial goals. Courses explore various topics including economic principles, farm practices, agricultural science, new developments in the field and decision making skills. Instructors primarily work with clients/students one-to-one.