Glen Oaks Community College’s Agricultural Equipment Technology (AGT) students recently completed the installation and wiring of a center pivot irrigation system at the Nora Hagen farm, marking a major milestone in their hands-on training.
Working alongside Brandon Yoder of Advanced Farm Supply (AFS), students gained real-world experience in irrigation technology. Before heading to the field, Yoder led an hour-long tutorial in the barn, guiding students through the process of wiring the tower boxes. Once on-site, the team wired up the span sections and drive motors, with Yoder verifying their work before introducing them to the system’s state-of-the-art control panel. Under Yoder’s guidance, Michael Willison, a student in the Agricultural Equipment Technology (AGT) program, programmed the unit and set the operational parameters.
With power applied and components aligned, the students took pride in seeing their efforts come to life as the system prepared for operation. Adding a personal touch to the project, Braxton Graham, a student in both the AGT and Welding Certificate programs, designed and built a custom flag mount, allowing the team to raise Old Glory on the end tower.
“I couldn’t be prouder of these students,” said Reid Leaverton AGT instructor. “This project represents the kind of hands-on learning that sets our program apart. They not only installed the system but learned every aspect of its operation—from wiring to programming—giving them an edge as they prepare for careers in the ag tech industry.”
The center pivot system, originally approved by the Glen Oaks Board of Trustees last year, enhances the AGT program’s ability to provide cutting-edge training on precision irrigation technology. With the installation complete, the team now looks ahead to spring, when the system will be put to full use.
For more details on the project, visit the original announcement: GOCC Center Pivot Installation.
