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Staff Reports

South Georgia Technical College’s (SGTC) John Deere Agricultural Technology program recently celebrated the achievements of its newest graduates with a special ceremony held at the Morgan Diesel and Automotive Complex on the SGTC campus in Americus.

The event commenced with brief remarks from SGTC Academic Dean Dr. David Finley, SGTC President Dr. John Watford, and Agricultural Technology instructors Matthew Burks and Wayne Peck. Following these remarks, each graduate was honored with a personalized plaque recognizing their successful completion of the program.

Among those recognized were Jacob Blankenship of Oxford, AL (Honor Graduate); Hunter Knox of Waverly, AL (Honor Graduate); Parker Maroney of Cairo (Honor Graduate); Jonathan Mobley of Tennille (Presidential Honor Graduate); Ty Musgrove of Newton; Jeremy Pollard of Lanett, AL; Gavin Poole of Baconton; Jake Pope of Silverhill, AL (Honor Graduate); Cameron Purser of Cordele (Honor Graduate); Stephen Statham of Macon; and Brian Wiley of Tifton.

The comprehensive agricultural technology curriculum covers a wide range of technological advancements in agricultural mechanization, with a focus on John Deere’s Agricultural and Turf Equipment product lines. Students receive instruction on diesel engine systems, powertrains, hydraulics, machine setup and adjustment, as well as advanced AMS electronics, schematics, and diagnostics computers. Students also gain practical experience and expertise working with the computer-assisted resource materials used throughout the John Deere service network, such as Service ADVISOR. The program also emphasizes communication skills and other non-core disciplines essential to a successful career in ag service.

Throughout the program, students attend classes at South Georgia Tech for eight weeks each semester, followed by an eight-week internship at their sponsoring dealer for approximately two years. This hands-on approach allows students to gain practical experience working with John Deere equipment, training components, and computer diagnostic tools, providing them with both instructional knowledge and practical skills essential for success in the field.

The John Deere Tech program is a special admission program. For more information about the partnership between John Deere and South Georgia Technical College, interested individuals can contact Matthew Burks at 229-931-2401 or via email at mburks@southgatech.edu.