On Saturday, March 4, 2023, the Seminole State College Business and Industry program hosted students on campus for Poultry 101. The course covered such topics as housing, nutrition, and healthcare for chickens, ducks, geese, turkeys and guineas. Students participating had goals to start backyard flocks for eggs, to show chickens at local fairs and to expand their flocks. All of the participants agreed that the live demonstration of brooding (and snuggling) ducklings and chicks was the best aspect of the course. Jill Acree, of Ada, said, “So much good info, it might have been 101 and 102.”

Course facilitator, SSC Associate Professor of English Yasminda Choate, of Sasakwa, emphasized that this is the right time for SSC to host this particular community- based course. “This is the first week of ‘Chick Days’ for local farm supply stores, and it’s a few weeks before Easter. Many people get chicks or ducks for Easter baskets without realizing they’re a longterm commitment with specific care needs.”

The course was supported by Business and Industry program coordinator, Scarlet Figueroa, and sponsored by SSC and Clausing’s Farm Center.

The Business and Industry program delivers community-centered courses that cater to the schedule of working adults. Through a partnership with SSC’s Native American Serving Non-Tribal Institutions program, Business and Industry will offer four Osage Native Language workshops from March 29 through April 19. In addition to community courses, Business and Industry also offers on-demand micro-credential courses. These courses provide career critical training. These web-based courses range from Google Data Analytics and User Experience Design to Six Sigma business skills and customized corporate training.

For more information on community and on-demand courses and to sign up, visit the College’s website, sscok.edu, and select the academics tab.