Kirtland Community College partners with MSU Institute of Agricultural Technology

Kirtland Community College has become a community college partner of Michigan State University’s Institute of Agricultural Technology. Through this partnership, access to forestry education will be expanded to Northern Michigan as the college is able to offer the university’s Forest Technology certificate program. Students will be able to complete the certificate alongside the college’s Associate of Applied Science degree in Forest Technology. 

According to an article on Kirtland Community College’s website, President Dr. Gary Roberts was quoted as saying of the partnership, “Kirtland is very honored to be part of this partnership with MSU. We are hopeful that the Forestry Technology program will provide new avenues for our students into higher education and into the workplace. We see this as a benefit all the way around, for the state and for our immediate community.”

The state of Michigan is approximately 53% forest, with 20.2 million acres of forest land. The forestry industry is a large part of Michigan’s economy and demand for skilled professionals in the industry continues to grow. 

Craig Knudson, who is the Michigan Farm Bureau Industry Relations Specialist and Regional Manager, said, “Our state’s vibrant and robust forestry industry relies on talented, hardworking professionals to safely and responsibly manage and harvest the timber we rely on in Michigan and beyond. Programs like this are integral to ensuring a strong future for forestry, with people who are trained in the critical skills and expertise needed to connect with landowners to provide trusted information on land management. Having this program at Kirtland Community College is a perfect fit because of its proximity to the state’s forestry industry, which can provide training at the local level in northern Michigan. Our member-driven, grassroots policy has long supported this type of expansion, and we’re thrilled to see it developing.”

The goal of the partnership is to create a pipeline of individuals who will be prepared to work in the industry. When students complete the Associate of Applied Science degree in Forest Technology at Kirtland Community College, they will also receive the MSU Forest Technology certificate, which will position them to enter into the workforce with proof of their skills and knowledge.

Students will take part in classroom learning and outdoor experiences. They will participate in field trips and in an internship with local forestry employers. Students will learn about forest inventory, ecology, timber harvesting operations, tree identification, wildland firefighting, drone technology applications, and GIS/GPS.

Brenda Haskill, who serves as Michigan DNR’s Timber sales and utilization manager, said, “In order for the DNR to successfully manage 4 million acres of state forestland, we need skilled people who are well-trained and able to do that. We are excited to see MSU expanding their forest technology certificate program and offering it at the Grayling campus of Kirtland Community College.”

Dean of Occupational Programs at Kirtland Community College, Barb Walden, added, “The Forest Technician and Timber Harvesting Operator programs grew out of conversations with community partners who are anticipating future workforce needs in the forestry industry. Kirtland is excited to develop programs that meet regional demand and provide strong career opportunities for our students.”

Kirtland Community College recently received a $100,000 state budget allotment to purchase a forestry harvester simulator, which allows students to practice using the controls of real harvesting equipment in a classroom setting. The ability to repeatedly practice using the equipment in a risk-free scenario will add to students’ hands-on training without needing to damage real trees, Walden explained.

With the acquisition of the simulator, Kirtland Community College will be launching a 15-week logger training program as soon as the Fall 2026 semester, further positioning itself as a leader in the state’s forestry education.

For more information about Kirtland Community College, visit the school’s website.