Students at ABAC in Bainbridge will be able to earn an Agricultural Education degree beginning fall semester 2025.
Students at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College’s Bainbridge site will be able to earn a bachelor’s degree from the School of Agriculture and Natural Resources (SANR) beginning this fall.
The Agricultural Education degree will benefit students interested in a variety of agricultural fields. Graduates can pursue careers in education, management, extension, training and development, human resources, and several other areas.
Dr. Andrew Thoron, the SANR Dean at ABAC, is excited that students in the southwestern part of Georgia will have easier access to a degree in one of the college’s most successful programs.
“Expanding agricultural studies courses to the Bainbridge site reflects ABAC’s commitment to meeting the needs of Southwest Georgia and the surrounding tri-state region,” Thoron said. “The interest in agriculture has always been strong in this part of the state, and we’re excited to offer local students access to high-quality instruction that prepares them for a wide range of careers in agriculture. This opportunity came through strong collaboration with regional stakeholders, and we look forward to seeing students thrive through this new offering.”
Students will be able to choose between two distinct tracks. The Agricultural Studies track prepares students for careers in technical areas, extension services, industry management, development, and agricultural outreach, while the Teacher Preparation track equips future educators to become certified agricultural teachers in high schools and career academies across Georgia. Thoron said the Agricultural Studies track emphasizes developing communication and management skills coupled with agricultural knowledge to better prepare graduates for a wide range of careers.
The Teacher Preparation track pairs agricultural industry knowledge with classroom management, curriculum development, and instructional design.
“This new degree offering brings affordable, high-quality education to students in Bainbridge while directly addressing the workforce needs of Georgia’s vital agriculture industry,” said ABAC President Tracy Brundage. “Through hands-on, experience-based learning, students will gain the knowledge and practical skills to succeed in a wide range of agricultural careers. We’re proud to expand our nationally respected Agricultural Education program to the Bainbridge site—an opportunity that reflects ABAC’s longstanding commitment to student success, regional growth, and educational access. This is a milestone we’ve worked toward for years, and we’re thrilled to make it a reality.”
ABAC’s Agricultural Education program is the second largest in the country. Considering the agricultural base in the region, ABAC Bainbridge Executive Director Dr. Michael Kirkland believes the new offering will be popular with both traditional and non-traditional prospective students.
“The Agricultural Studies track in Bainbridge could be the most impactful addition to the curriculum since the site became a part of ABAC in 2018,” he said. “And now with bachelor’s degrees in Business, Nursing, Biology, Agricultural Education and more, the opportunities to pursue higher education in southwest Georgia are only getting stronger.”
For more information visit agbainbridge.abac.edu
