Polk State College launches new agriculture industry initiative

POLK COUNTY, Fla. — Polk State College is launching a new initiative aimed at getting more students into the agriculture industry. It starts next spring, but students are already signing up.

Penny Watson has been fishing since she was a little girl, and while it brings her peace, it also gives her a strong desire to protect the waters.

“It is a beautiful place there, but it’s also kind of sad because the seagrass is goop and it shouldn’t be like that,” she said.

Watson hopes to help change that thanks to a new initiative from Polk State College, where she’ll be able to merge her love for computer science and agriculture.

“I feel like there needs to be data science and research so that we can bring the seagrass back and restore our fisheries,” she said.

The initiative combines an Associate of Arts degree with specialized coursework and certification opportunities. 

It’s a new pathway for the college that will help create a pipeline for students to start their careers in agriculture in Polk County.

Belkis Torres-Capeles is the dean of workforce education with the college. She says the initiative comes with its perks.

“An expedited admissions decision process, ability to participate in several events and have the weight of UF behind them, and the brand that is Polk State to uplift them as they begin their agricultural career,” she said.

According to Polk State College, more than 3,000 students in Polk County schools are already enrolled in agricultural programs, therefore this initiative is meeting the high demand for careers in agriculture.

It’s a pathway that gives high school students like Kayleigh Douge the opportunity to kickstart their career early.

“I think weather students have grown up in production, agriculture, or they are new to the industry. It’s really a great opportunity because they don’t have to leave their home county to pursue the agriculture industry,” said Douge.

Watson believes it’ll help her grow and learn more about the agriculture industry while making a difference.

“We produce a lot of food here, and we need to do it safely,” she said. “We need to do to sustainably, and I want to be able to help with that with the next generation.”

To maintain the waters in which she fishes for years to come.

Polk State College will be hosting a series of open houses for students to learn more about the new initiative.

The first open house is taking place on Oct. 28 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Lake Wales campus.