HUNTINGTON, Ind. – Huntington University’s Haupert Institute for Agricultural Studies has received $30,000 in grants since 2021 for use in welding, drone technology and veterinary nursing courses. The money came from the Duke Energy Foundation.

Funding received three years ago went toward welding helmets, power tools and supplies for 23 students in the welding and construction and maintenance agriculture courses, according to the university. In 2022, a grant purchased a DJI Phantom 4 drone and Sentera sensors that allowed eight students the opportunity to interact with precision agriculture technology, the university said. Last year, the money went toward lab equipment for 11 animal health and veterinary nursing students.

The Duke Energy Foundation staff encouraged university officials to submit a grant proposal for the Workforce Development Grants, Nate Perry, the institute’s managing director, told Farm World.

“The grant was seeking to make a local impact on the workforce, which HU was able to do via training students,” he explained. “In turn, these ag education majors who directly benefit from the grant will impact the schools where they will teach through welding and precision agriculture. The grant also permitted those students in the animal health and veterinary nursing dual degree (in partnership with Purdue University’s College of Veterinary Medicine) to have training models to prepare them for working with live animals.”

Students have received training regarding drones taught by Purdue Extension, Perry noted. Students have earned their Occupational Safety and Health Administration-10 certification while learning not only how to weld but to teach others to weld, he said. This is in partnership with the staff at the Huntington County Community Learning Center, Perry added.

The university said the materials purchased with the grants will continue to be available for students beyond those who initially benefited from them.

The Haupert Institute continues to look for partners who will invest in the future of its students, Perry said.

“The agricultural landscape continues to change based on global opportunities and challenges, and we strive to prepare each student for these,” he said. “Our goal is to equip students with the skills necessary to enter the workforce and the grit needed to enroll in graduate school.”

He said school officials have had conversations with the Duke foundation regarding funding that may fit both their goals and the student demand.

Since 2020, the university has added programs in crop science and agronomy, and animal science. The school also offers programs in agricultural education and agribusiness. Last year, the university unveiled an animal health and veterinary nursing concurrent dual-degree program in partnership with Purdue University,

The institute had its first classes in the fall of 2015 with about a dozen students. Current enrollment is anticipated to be more than 120, Perry said. More than 50 new students enrolled in fall 2023, and this fall, an even larger incoming class is indicated, he said. Nearly 60 students have graduated from the program. Huntington University is a Christian college with more than 70 academic concentrations.