MCC takes an agrarian approach

By MANDY SPIKES | Central Texas Edition

Dub Cunningham is both proud and excited about the upcoming MCC continuing education programs. -- Photo by Mandy Spikes

March 13, 2003 -- The continuing education courses offered at McLennan Community College (MCC), which is located in Waco, allows interested participants to learn more about the world around them. Most recently, many of those courses offered pertain to agriculture.

Dub Cunningham, Highlander Ranch program coordinator, is proud of the classes that are offered. "The goal of the continuing education courses at MCC is to offer classes that the community wants and needs for enrichment. We have many exciting and new agricultural programs to offer starting this month.

"If you are interested in learning more about goats, I recommend that you come out to the Highlander Ranch on Mar. 29 for a one-day seminar called The Business of Goats.

He said noted author and goat rancher Cathie Keblinger will be on-hand to help participants learn more about raising Boer goats.

"Wear your work clothes and be ready for a hands on goat experience. We will also be serving grilled cabrito for lunch. It's going to be a great day and we are looking forward to it."

Another program to be held is the fly fishing course that will be offered on May 20.

"It's the first time we are offering this course and we think it's going to be a big hit. For $39, people can learn different fly fishing techniques and can learn the proper way to tie a fly.

"The classes will be held Tuesday and Thursday evenings. The last class will be a field trip so that students can put what they learned to good use. The only thing required is that you must have your own fly fishing reel."

He added that if there is a big interest in this class, MCC might offer a fly tying course.

Two courses are also available for horse lovers of all ages.

"Starting March 18, Heidi Marcum is going to hold another horse management class. We have had this class before and it was such a big hit that we decided to keep the class going.

"The class, which will be held Tuesday nights at Bentwood Farms, gives participants valuable and practical hands-on experience in hoof care, nutrition, first aid, and other horse care basics.

"On April 19 and 20, we are going to have a seminar dealing with horse training. Horse whisperer Billy Cowden is going to be the instructor."

Cunningham stated the first day of the seminar will concentrate on colt training. The second day is focused on what the horse is like after the training.

"We are so excited that Billy agreed to hold this class here. In addition to being the personal horse trainer for world champion rodeo cowboy Larry Mahan, he has also been a part of the professional advancement in reining, roping, and cow horse."

"I have been teaching this course for over 20 years and I am really excited about teaching it now at MCC," said Cowden. "Teaching is the most enjoyable aspect of doing this program.

"When you teach in the equine industry, you are able to get your point across to the students. It's easy to show your results, because either the horse will do what you ask or it won't. There is no change. The results show how well the program went," he said.

For information about the continuing education programs offered at MCC, call at 254-299-8888 or visit the continuing education section on the website at: www.www.mclennan.edu.