TIFTON — A brand new college degree that focuses on rural America will begin this fall at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College. Dr. David Bridges, president of ABAC, told members of the Dothan (Ala.) Rotary Club recently the degree is “the only one of its kind in the country.

“There are a lot of programs out there that focus on urban studies,” Bridges said. “But this program concentrates entirely on rural life.”

Longtime Dothan Rotarian Gene Ragan invited Bridges to speak to the club about the college and the state of agriculture. Ragan is an ABAC alumnus who received the Distinguished Alumnus Award from the ABAC Alumni Association in March. He said he rolled his Harley Davidson motorcycle to a stop at the college in September of 1941 with all his possessions tied to the back with a plow line.

Bridges said students can pick from three areas of concentration in the new rural studies degree.

“Students can choose from business and economic development, arts and culture, and community and social affairs,” Bridges said. “We think the internships will be a big part of this degree as well.”

Bridges said ABAC also offers bachelor’s degrees in diversified agriculture and turfgrass and golf course management. About to begin his fourth year as the ABAC President, Bridges is the only president in the 101-year history of the college to have actually been a student (Class of 1978).

“For over 100 years now, ABAC has been producing great alumni such as Gene Ragan,” Bridges said. “With these new degrees and our traditional programs in agriculture, forestry, wildlife and a host of others, we believe that trend will continue.”

Bridges said 3,600 students attend ABAC, and that 1,300 of them live on xcampus in modern apartment and suite-style residence halls. The 421-acre campus includes the 200-acre J.G. Woodroof Farm where peanuts, corn, cotton, soybeans and wheat are grown.

ABAC also has its own nine-hole golf course where students get hands-on experience working in the various turf programs. Bridges said the college offers over 50 programs of study including a very popular nursing program.

The deadline for applications for ABAC fall semester classes is Aug. 1. The fall term begins Aug. 17.