“This flexibility is great for students who are hesitant to commit to a 2-year program at the beginning of their college career,” explains Patrick Hosch, ECC assistant professor of swine management. “With the large volume of local production comes the ability to partner with many producers and experts in the area of swine management. Producers work with us to provide tuition reimbursement opportunities for new students. A student will complete the diploma program, have pre-negotiated employment with that producer and be reimbursed for the cost of tuition during the first few years of employment. This tuition reimbursement concept is beneficial for the student, the producer, and Ellsworth Community College.”
The ECC swine program offers flexibility that students appreciate. Chris Stober of Iowa Falls began working in swine production right out of high school. He worked for a year and a half before entering the swine program at ECC.
“While working I learned how to do things,” said Chris Stober. “In college I learned why we do them. I learned what is happening with the pigs and it really helped me improve my farrowing performance to know what is going on. College gave me the confidence and skills so I could go out and run my own farm.”
Stober was able to take advantage of the tuition reimbursement program available through Iowa Select. Currently he is a sow farm technician in an Iowa Select sow farm tour site with 4,800 sows. They process 100,000 wean pigs a year. Stober is being groomed to move into a management position. Iowa Select accommodated Stober’s class schedule so he was able to work full-time while going to ECC by working before and after class.
“I’d definitely recommend the swine program to others. (ECC Instructor) Pat Hosch is awesome. He does everything he can to help you out, to make sure you understand what’s going on, and give you the confidence you need to succeed,” adds Stober. “Having the education with the experience really gives me a leg up on everybody else.”
Adam Swalla of Randall is using the swine program to achieve his goals also. He completed the swine program and plans to continue in the agriculture program to earn his associates degree and continue his education at Buena Vista University on the ECC campus for a bachelor’s of applied science degree. He too was able to work part-time at Iowa Select while earning his swine diploma, then worked full-time this summer. Swalla was even able to participate in wrestling and advanced to nationals for ECC last winter. This winter, Swalla will also serve as an assistant wrestling coach.
“The ECC swine program offers a big concentration of experiences. There are so many things to do with the diploma, and such a big demand for swine production workers in this area,” adds Swalla. “I really liked getting both ends in the field, the experience and the education. ECC has one of the best swine programs in the nation.”
Instructor Hosch says the swine production career options are limitless. Graduates can choose to pursue an area of swine production they enjoy the most as many large production sites are separated by specific stages. The sow farms utilize technicians, farrowing or breeding managers or overall manager. Nursery/finisher facilities need herdsmen, owner operators, technicians, local managers or regional managers. Additional positions include GDU technicians, sow farm technicians, livestock transport drivers, maintenance or repair technicians, business and production analysts, or boar stud management technicians.
“Swine production at ECC is taught through classroom instruction, hands-on laboratory exercises, production system tours, expert guest lecturers, student projects, and student internships,” says Hosch. “Regardless of incoming experience, the Swine Management diploma gives students a solid base to start a good career in the swine industry.”
For more information on swine management program educational opportunities at Ellsworth Community College, contact Pat Hosch at 641-648-8663, or 800-322-9235.
