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Agriculture and Food Technology Program

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  • Data Sheet
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  • Assessment Report

Program Assessment Summary
(AY 2019-2020)

Certificate of Achievement in Agriculture and Food Technology

Program Student Learning Outcomes:

  1. Demonstrate overall knowledge of the crop production process,
  2. Practice good agricultural management and marketing skills,
  3. Identify and demonstrate the fundamentals of food processing, preparation techniques, the relationship between the scientific principle and cooking procedures
  4. Identify and demonstrate the basic skills and principles of swine and poultry production techniques, including breed selection, feed, housing, management techniques and animal health,
  5. Apply the basic skills and knowledge of nursery micro-propagation practices, transplanting, harvesting, and maintenance,
  6. Identify the proper use of land for agriculture purposes, local ornamental, and turf management.
  7. Able to apply/exercise/practice overall abilities gain/learn from all other courses in a working environment.

PSLO Assessment Report Summary

What we looked at:

The courses offered during Fall 2019 to Spring 2020 were focused on PSLO’s 1, 2, and 3. During these terms, student’s competency was assessed on all three PSLOs through written tests/exams, presentation projects, and hands-on activities.

What we found:

Courses
Fall 19 to
Spring 20 		PSLO’s No. of
Students		 Students
Passed		 D’s F’s I’s
AG 090 1 3 3 0 0 0
AG 092 1 3 3 0 0 0
SC 098 3 7 4 0 1 1
AG 084 1 2 2 0 0 0
AG 094 2 2 2 0 0 0

PSLO 1. Explain the basic concepts and principles used in management of land resources (crops and animals) and how resources are processed from farm to table. Students’ competency on crop productions, swine management, food preservation techniques, and food handling and preparations were assessed using written exams/tests, hands-on activities, and projects for AG 090, AG 92, and AG 084

Results:

  • AG 090 (2 out of 3 or 67% of the students have achieved a grade of 80% or better).
  • AG 092 (2 out of 3 or 67% of the students have achieved a grade of 80% or better).
  • AG 084 (2 out of 2 or 100% of the students have achieved a grade of 80% or better).

PSLO 2. Practice basic knowledge and skills in operating an agribusiness including management and protection of crops in nurseries.

Students’ competency on farm management were assessed using written exams/tests, hands-on activities, and projects for AG 094

PSLO 2. Develop a foundation in math, science, and English that will allow transfer to higher-level courses to prepare them for entry-level employment.

Students’ competency on science were assessed using written exams/tests, hands-on activities, and projects for SC 098

What are we planning to work on

  • Modify AG 092 into a lab class to allow more practicum hours for the students
  • Implement the use of Schoology platform to all AFT courses.
  • Continuously expand AFT program recruitment to the community.

Recommendations for students:

Agriculture and Food Technology program is a certificate program that can be completed in less than two years. Students must successfully complete all program requirements and earn a grade of C or better for them to graduate.

Download PDF Version of the Data Sheet Spring 2016
 

Program Review for Academic Programs

AP Full Official

Certificate of Achievement in Agriculture and Food Technology

Campus

Pohnpei

AP Review Submission Date

23th September 2016

Completed by

Charles Aiseam

AR Review Cycle

Fall 2014 to Spring 2016

Program Mission
 

The mission of the Agriculture and Food Technology (AFT) certificate program is to prepare students to become farmers or for employment in various agriculture and food technology related areas or for the pursuit of advanced degrees in agriculture or food technology at COM-FSM or abroad by educating them in the fundamental concepts, knowledge, and laboratory/field techniques and skills of agriculture and food technology.
(Recommended)

Program Goals
Program goals are broad statements concerning knowledge, skills, or values that the faculty members expect the graduating students to achieve.

1. Demonstrate an overall knowledge of the crop production process,
2. Practice good agricultural management and marketing skills,
3. Identify and demonstrate the fundamentals of food processing, preparation techniques, the relationship between the scientific principle and cooking procedures,
4. Identify and demonstrate the basic skills and principles of swine and poultry production techniques, including breed selection, feed, housing, management techniques and animal health,
5. Apply the basic skills and knowledge of nursery micro-propagation practices, transplanting, harvesting, and maintenance,
6. Identify the proper use of land for agriculture purposes, local ornamental, and turf management.
Program History

This section describes the history of the program. This includes the date and reason of implementation, significant milestones in the development of the program, and significant current activities.

The Agriculture and Food Technology Certificate of Achievement (AFT) was dormant for many years even though the program already existed. Students were not interested in getting a certificate in the program. Farming was considered dirty and parents talked their kids out of enrolling into the program. As the AFT lay dormant it also affected the degree program at COM-FSM National Campus. In 2008 program started again with the assistant of the US Department of Agriculture Resident Instruction in the Insular Areas CariPac project which funded the Coordinator. The program re-opened with 10 students. This has progressed over the years and so far 53 students have graduated with a certificate in AFT from 2010 to 2013.

Program Description

The program description describes the program, including its organization, relationship to other programs in the system, program design, degree(s) offered, and other significant features of the program, such as elements/resources for forward-looking new program contributions to the state’s economy, or specialized program accreditation.

Agriculture and Food Technology Certificate of Achievement offers courses that are aligned with the Agriculture and Natural Resource Management degree program offered at COM-FSM National Campus. The program focuses on training of students to continue on to the degree program and it also prepares student for the work force. Students will be able to take on jobs such as technicians or farming depending on their choices for the future.

With the increasing complexity of technology and the competitiveness of the export market, trained agriculture technicians are in demand. The program aims to prepare individuals to enter the agriculture profession in the public or private sector

Knowledge of agricultural production processes and good communication and management skills will enable students, to become extension agents and farmers that will be able work in all phases of food production.

Program Admission Requirements

This section describes the requirements for admission into the program and other requisites.

As per college policy for admission to Certificate of Achievement programs.
Program Certificate/Degree Requirements
This section specifies the requirements for obtaining a certificate/degree in the program, including specific courses,, sequencing of courses, total credits, internships, practical, etc.
General Education Requirements ………………………..13 credits
  • CA 095 Basic Computer Applications (3)
  • ESL 050 Technical English 050 (3)
  • MS 104 Technical Math I (4)
  • SC 098 Survey of Science (3)
Technical Requirements …………………………………..21 or 22 credits
  • AG 084 Basic Crop Production (4)
  • AG 096 Field Internship (5)
Plus a minimum of 12 credits from the following:
  • AG 086 Micro-Propagation (4)
  • AG 088 Landscaping (3)
  • AG 090 Principles of Food Processing (3)
  • AG 092 Swine and Poultry Production (3)
  • AG 094 Farm Management and Marketing (3)
Total Requirements ……………………………………………34 – 35Credits
Program Courses and Enrollment

This section lists courses offered in the program, including number of sections, course enrollment, section fill rates, and redundancy of courses across the institution.
Course # Course Title # Of Sections #Of Students Semester Offered
1. AG 084 Crop Production: 2 sections: 25-30 fall semester
2. AG 096 Ag. Internship: 1 section: 20-30 summer
3. AG 088 Landscaping: 2 sections: 25-30 fall semester
4. AG 092 Poultry Production: 2 sections: 25-30 spring semester
5. AG 094 Farm Management: 2 sections: 25-30 spring semester
6. AG 086 Micro-Propagation: 1 section: 25-30 spring semester
7. AG 090 Food Processing: 2 sections: 25-30 fall semester
Program Faculty

This section reports the faculty of the program, including full-time and part-time faculty. The degrees held and rank are provided for the full-time and part-time faculty. Finally, provide the faculty student ratio for the program.

Full-Time Faculty:
1. Charles Aiseam

  1. AS in Gen. Agriculture (COM-FSM)
  2. BS in Tropical Agriclture (University of Guam)

Part-Time Faculty:
1. Engly Ioanis

  1. a. BS in Agriculture
  2. b. MS in Animal Science

Program Indicator

This section provides the data for analyzing the extent to which the program has achieved the established outcomes and criteria. This is the most important part of the program review. The data that will be collected and evaluated are the following:

Assessment of course student learning outcomes of program courses

https://comfsm.tracdat.com/tracdat/faces/assessment/course_planning/observations.xhtml
Assessment of program student learning outcomes

https://comfsm.tracdat.com/tracdat/faces/common/reports/FourColumn.xhtml
Program enrollment (historical enrollment patterns, student credits by major)

Fall Enrollment by degree, campus, Origin, Sex, FT/PT, Agegroup, StudentType

Major Description

 Degree Fall 2010 Fall 2011 Fall 2012 Fall 2013 Fall 2014

Agriculture and Food Technology

 CA 114 135 146 174 189

Major Description

 CampusDescription Fall 2010 Fall 2011 Fall 2012 Fall 2013 Fall 2014
Agriculture and Food Technology Kosrae 26 23 26 44 31
Agriculture and Food Technology Pohnpei 71 105 99 104 137
Agriculture and Food Technology Yap 17 7 21 26 21

Major Description

 Origin Fall 2010 Fall 2011 Fall 2012 Fall 2013 Fall 2014
Agriculture and Food Technology Chuukese 2 1      
Agriculture and Food Technology Kosraean 26 23 26 45 31
Agriculture and Food Technology Other       1  
Agriculture and Food Technology Pohnpeian 69 103 97 102 137
Agriculture and Food Technology Yapese 17 8 23 26 21

Major Description

 sex Fall 2010 Fall 2011 Fall 2012 Fall 2013 Fall 2014
Agriculture and Food Technology F 46 74 83 75 82
Agriculture and Food Technology M 68 61 63 99 107

Major Description

 FT Fall 2010 Fall 2011 Fall 2012 Fall 2013 Fall 2014
Agriculture and Food Technology FT 74 64 87 72 94
Agriculture and Food Technology PT 40 71 59 102 95

Major Description

 AgeGroup Fall 2010 Fall 2011 Fall 2012 Fall 2013 Fall 2014
Agriculture and Food Technology 18 to 24 105 127 134 160 172
Agriculture and Food Technology 25 to 39 9 8 11 14 14
Agriculture and Food Technology Under 18     1   3

Major Description

 studentTypeDescription Fall 2010 Fall 2011 Fall 2012 Fall 2013 Fall 2014
Agriculture and Food Technology Continuing 60 94 70 95 95
Agriculture and Food Technology New Student 50 38 72 62 88
Agriculture and Food Technology Returning Student 4 3 4 17 6
Data is provided by IRPO.
Average class size N/A
Course completion rate
Program Term Enrolled AU W ABCorP W_% CC_%
AFT(CA) Fall ‘14 360   8 288 2.2% 80.0%
AFT(CA) Spring 2014 279   27 206 9.7% 73.8%
AFT Spring 2015 270   22 198 8.1% 73.3%
Data is obtained from IRPO. Data for Spring and Fall 2016 is unavailable
Student persistence rate (semester to semester) Persistence for Fall 2014-16
Major degree Fall15New persisted_spring2016 %
AFT CA 37 31 83.8%
Retention for Fall 2015-16
Major degree Fall14New Fall14_retained-F15 %
AFT CA 52 28 53.8%
Data is provided by IRPO.
Success rates on licensing or certification exams (CTE, TP, Nursing, etc) Not Applicable
Graduation rate based on yearly number

Fall 2012
Cohort -
New Full
Time First
Time
Graduation
Rates

          
term major degree cohort* grad_100* grad_150*

2012.3

 Agriculture and Food Technology CA 56 28.6% 33.9%
This is the data provided by IRPO from program data on the college website and it stated program data sheet 2015, but the term is 2012. Don’t know if this is updated.
Students seat cost Not Available
Cost of duplicate or redundant courses, programs or services Not Applicable
Students’ satisfaction rate Not Applicable
Alumni data Not Applicable
Employment data and employer feedback (employer survey)

Job Description

 Number

Farm Technician

 5a

Government Sectors

 4b

Private sectors

 10c

Farmer (Family-own)

 10d

Total

 29

Above table is the employment data for AFT certificate program at Pohnpei Campus from 2014-2016.

Data is collected through surveys completed by AFT graduates. Overall, data is inaccurate as a result of students didn’t show up or failed to complete or submit surveys. The survey is a form of questionnaires asking students their current situations and their plans of furthering their education.

Descriptions of above endnotes

  1. 1 works at Etschiet Farm, 2 at Pohnpei Department of Agriculture, and 2 at COM-FSM CRE Office.
  2. 2 at Pohnpei Dept. of Agriculture and 2 at COM-FSM CRE
  3. 1 at Etschiet Farm and the rest are working at non-agriculture related field of work (mostly gas stations and Mom and Pops stores)
  4. All of these students are working on their own farm (smaller scale commercial type of farming) selling to community members of their own or sometimes to the market if harvest is abundant.
Program added or cancelled at nearby regional institutions (PCC, GCC, Hawaii schools, UOG, CMI, NMC) Not Available
Transfer rate Not Available
Analysis

Findings

This section provides discussion of information discovered as a result of the evaluation such as problems or concerns with the program and what part of the program is working well and meeting expectation.

Although total enrollment rate are rising in this program, it has become apparent that the program
and course student learning outcomes needs to be revised to better suit the requirements of the
program and the students. For example: Furthermore, a number of the courses SLOS are not
explained well and require modifications specifically for; (Continuing progress)
ESL 050, AG 084, AG 086, AG 088, AG 090 and AG 092.

Students who completed ESL050 have shown little knowledge in writing lab reports. Lab reports is
30% of their grades in all major require courses, and failing to complete a vast majority of lab reports
can result in withdrawal or failing the course. This is very evident in the increases of withdrawal rate
and decreases in persistence and retention rate. So it is proposed in the new program modification
that the new English requirement for AFT will be ESL 089.
Other major required courses needs modification so it can better equipped students with the needed
knowledge for advance level. AFT graduates who transferred to higher level of education find it
really difficult to cope with the materials being taught at higher level.

Recommendations

This section provides recommendations from the program on what to do to improve or enhance the quality of program and course learning outcomes as well as program goals and objectives. This section should also include suggestions that describe how the program might be able to create opportunities for a better program in the future. Some examples are exploring alternate delivery mechanisms, forming external partnerships, or realigning with other programs.		 It is recommended that the program needs modification, so it has been proposed and in progress for
modification of the program. New program requirements, new program goals, learning outcomes and
missions. The proposal is in progress.
Form is newly revised. Previous Program Reviews are available at http://wiki.comfsm.fm/Academic_Programs Micronesian Studies is a very good example. Program review checklist is on the next page.
                                                    CAC Approved: mm/dd/yy Revised: 3/28/14

Unit Assessment Report

Report Period: 2013-2014

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