Arkansas State University-Beebe and Arkansas State University (A-State) at Jonesboro recently announced the establishment of a 2+2 agreement for students majoring in Geographical Information Systems (GIS) and precision agriculture.
“Providing our graduates with new transfer pathways within the ASU System is such an important part of what we do,” said ASU-Beebe Chancellor, Dr. Jennifer Methvin. “Working collaboratively with our sister institutions, we can provide more opportunities for our students and better serve the workforce needs of our state.”
The agreement facilitates the transfer and degree completion of students earning the Associate of Science in Agriculture with a new concentration in Precision Agriculture at ASU-Beebe to the Bachelor of Science in Agriculture – GIS and precision agriculture at A-State in Jonesboro.
Dr. Blake Perkins, vice chancellor for academics, said, “We are excited to partner with A-State on this unique articulation agreement. This is an exceptional pathway, the only one of its kind, for Arkansas students who wish to start here with us for a two-year associate degree at ASU-Beebe’s new Center for Precision Agriculture and then continue on to pursue a bachelor’s degree in this emerging field that will only become increasingly important to our state’s agricultural economy and workforce over the next few years.”
In 2025, ASU-Beebe received a $2.3 million Arkansas HIRED Grant to support the development of a new precision agriculture program. The curriculum prepares students to apply precision agriculture technologies and production principles to collect and analyze data, operate and troubleshoot equipment and systems, and improve agricultural efficiency and sustainability.
In addition to serving college students, the ASU-Beebe Center for Precision Agriculture serves farmers, regional producers and working professionals across Arkansas to provide flexible, customized training and hands-on workshops, such as drone and basic GIS technologies and other precision applications.
ASU-Beebe’s precision agriculture curriculum is built around a series of stackable credentials. Students can pursue a certificate of proficiency (9 hours) that can be embedded in a one-year technical certificate (31 hours) or the full two-year Associate of Science in Agriculture.
For those wanting a four-year degree, a direct transfer pathway from the associate degree to A-State lets credits move seamlessly toward a bachelor’s degree in geographic information systems and precision agriculture.
Graduates can work in careers, such as extension agent, producer, researcher, teacher, or agriculture technician. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics Department of Labor 2023 estimates, the median annual salary of Arkansas precision agriculture graduates is $71,410, with the top 10% earners estimated at $140,080.
For more information, view the webpage at https://www.asub.edu/degrees-and-certificates/agriculture-precision-agriculture/.
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