Farming is an industry that survives via succession. The participation of multiple generations is what is needed to keep a farm operating for years to come. Beyond the farm, there are so many Ag-related fields that offer support to farming operations each day. Ag Finance, Agronomy, Animal Sciences, and Conservation are just a few of the hundreds of opportunities available. It’s an ever-evolving field, figuratively and literally.
That’s where Northeast Iowa Community College in Calmar comes in. Their Agricultural Sciences Department is preparing students for fields in agriculture by offering several two-year programs to help set students up for success. They have been sharing that story at the World Dairy Expo in Wisconsin, and Craig Hendrickson tells us about their school.
Hendrickson says that the two-year program is not any “less than” when compared to a four-year degree. Their programs are great foundations and take a strong drive to succeed.
At World Dairy Expo, Hendrickson talks about their state-of-the-art, 200 cow dairy parlor, and how they are upgrading it for the future.
NICC is also incorporating cover crop programs into their land to get the most biodiversity, while being able to produce plenty of feed for the dairy herd.
You can learn more about the dairy program, or all the other ag education options at Northeast Iowa Community College, by visiting their Ag Sciences Department website.