Dordt University named a John Deere Dealer Partner School with AgriVision Equipment

Dordt University is excited to announce that the institution has been named a John Deere Dealer Partner School with AgriVision Equipment. Welcoming the first cohort of students in fall 2024, Dordt will offer an Agriculture Service Technology program as part of the dealer partnership between AgriVision Equipment and Dordt.

Students in the Agriculture Service Technology program will have the chance to become John Deere Technician certified by taking courses from a certified John Deere technician who serves as a Dordt faculty member. Courses include Electronic Diagnostics, Hydrostatic Diagnostics, Engine Air and Exhaust Systems Diagnostics, Engine Aftertreatment SCR Systems Diagnostics, and more.

Students will also take core curriculum courses from Dordt, and classes will take place at the Agriculture Stewardship Center as well as at AgriVision Equipment. They will get access to financial incentives, including paid internships at regional AgriVision locations beginning in their first semester of their first year at a minimum rate of $19 / hour, a $5,000 tool allowance, and tuition and sign-on bonuses with a 24-month service tail.

The maximum tuition paid for this program is $8,150, while students who possess strong academic achievement and high financial need may experience even smaller costs.

“An agriculture technology program is a tremendous fit for Dordt and our constituents,” says Brandon Huisman, vice president for enrollment and marketing. “We have students that want to go into Agriculture Service Technology and have asked us to create a program like this. With AgriVision Equipment located about a mile from the Agriculture Stewardship Center as well as a new opportunity to serve as a Dealer Partner School, it seems like everything is falling into place, and we are thrilled.”

AgriVision Equipment and PrairieLand Partners have 32 locations in Iowa, Nebraska, and Kansas. They are a John Deere Ag, Turf, Commercial Application, and Commercial Worksite Products dealer with approximately 950 employees.

Reed Allen, director of aftermarket at AgriVision Equipment, says there are many reasons why this will benefit both AgriVision Equipment and Dordt.

“We as an organization continue to face challenges in higher learning with capacity issues and options for students that want to pursue careers in diesel technology,” says Allen. “We felt that partnering with an institution with such a strong reputation like Dordt was an obvious choice to provide a high-quality diesel technology program. Partnering with AgriVision Equipment will give Dordt access to industry-leading John Deere equipment and technology, along with a connected partner to provide real-world dealership and customer experience.”

AgriVision Equipment and PrairieLand Partners have undertaken a major initiative to increase the number of technicians; they plan to increase technician capacity by 25% over the next couple years across all their locations.

“We are excited to have hired a faculty member who is prepared to help students develop genuine Christian insight and wisdom for serving in this field,” says Dr. Leah Zuidema, vice president for academic affairs at Dordt. “Our Dordt faculty members in the department and in the Core Program will guide students to develop the skills, knowledge, and motivation that they will need to serve Christianly in their careers and community.”

“We can see God’s handiwork in how this opportunity came about,” says Gary De Vries, agriculture department instructor. “We appreciate AgriVision Equipment’s value system and how it aligns with Dordt.”

The first cohort of students in the Agriculture Service Technology program will begin classes in the fall 2024 semester. Director of Emerging Markets Eric Tudor says Dordt would like to see an initial cohort of 12 students enroll.

“This is a thrilling opportunity for Dordt students, our local economy, and the kingdom,” says Tudor. “It is rare for Christian higher education to provide these types of vocational training opportunities. We cannot wait to see how these young men and women who complete this program take on roles within the AgriVision Equipment dealership network, embed themselves in those communities, and transform lives through their work.”

Learn more about the Agriculture Service Technology program here.

About Dordt University

As an institution of higher education committed to the Reformed Christian perspective, Dordt University equips students, faculty, alumni, and the broader community to work toward Christ-centered renewal in all aspects of contemporary life. Located in Sioux Center, Iowa, Dordt is a comprehensive university named to the best college lists by U.S. News and World Report, the Wall Street Journal, Times Higher Education, Forbes.com, Washington Monthly, and Princeton Review.

About AgriVision Equipment and PrairieLand Partners

AgriVision Equipment and PrairieLand Partners have 32 locations in Iowa, Nebraska, and Kansas. They are a John Deere Ag, Turf, Commercial Application, and Commercial Worksite Products dealer with approximately 950 employees.