MARTINSVILLE, Va. – Patrick Henry Community College is completely eliminating its agriculture degree program due to a lack of interest and budget cuts.
"A lot of folks have sent their children here and they've taken over their family farms," PHCC Professional Technologies and Health Sciences Dean Jeff Fields said.
PHCC has offered degree programs in horticulture, viticulture and agribusiness for nearly a decade.
“None of the community colleges in Virginia really offered agriculture so we were kind of the pioneers," Fields said.
Despite many successes, the school is now cutting all agriculture programs.
"The students are definitely sad because this is their interest that they definitely love and have a passion for," Fields said.
It's not a good sign for the booming industry of agritourism. Last year alone, it raked in $2.2 billion for the state's economy.
WSLS 10 caught up with Gov. Terry McAuliffe earlier this week to get his thoughts on the school's decision.
"I would hate to hear of anybody drawing back on what should be a reinvestment," McAuliffe said.
He says keeping the economy on track starts with education.
"The community has to do a better job of working in our schools, K-12. We need to do a better job. Every student should know about the importance of agritourism. They ought to know that in third, fourth and fifth grade," Fields said.
PHCC administrators hope they'll be able to bring the programs back to keep the industry strong.
"It is a growing business, literally. And there are times when some folks may not want that hard job, but there are still lots that want a good ole fashioned career," Fields said.
Along with horticulture, viticulture and agribusiness, PHCC is also cutting its HVAC, building trades, automotive and auto-body programs. The move will also force PHCC to cut four positions.