Zoom from a Tractor? Education, Farming Both a Priority for Agribusiness Student

Before he enrolled at Blackhawk, Troy Nickels asked instructor Dustin Williams what would fit Troy’s lifestyle the best and help him in the future of his family’s farm. Now, the Argyle High School graduate is on track to graduate from the Agribusiness Science and Technology program next spring.

The hands-on learning, small class sizes and the on-campus agricultural facility drew Troy to Blackhawk, and it’s the close relationships he has created with instructors and classmates that he enjoys the most.

“I have been pushing anyone who isn’t sure what is right for them or already know what they want to do to consider a technical school,” he said.

Troy credits his teachers with helping him pursue his goals within the Agribusiness program.

“I have been given endless amounts of knowledge about what I need to do or should do to help me continue my career on the farm,” he said.

Trying to balance his work on the farm with his class work has challenged Troy, who’s been known to log onto a Zoom meeting while sitting in his tractor and working. Those types of things have taught him how to manage his time and be able to multitask.

Dustin said Troy is a highly-motivated student with an intense entrepreneurial spirit and a passion for the dairy industry. He also takes his education and future seriously.

“It's been fun watching him get involved at BTC and share his experiences with robotic milkers,” Dustin said. “Technology is helping Troy become the next generation of dairy farmers in his family's operation.”

Once Troy graduates, he intends to take over his family’s dairy farm.