LINN COUNTY, Iowa — As the agriculture industry continues to grow, so does the need for agriculture workers. Kirkwood Community College is buying additional cropland so students in its agriculture program can get more hands-on training.
Kirkwood’s Agricultural Science Program is one of the largest two-year ag programs in the nation.
Due to it’s growing enrollment, the college is buying 80 acres of cropland, so students can get more experience out in the field. This adds to the 400 acres of land Kirkwood already owns for agricultural sciences. The lot is located at 2800 Wright Brothers Blvd E, just two miles southeast of the main campus.
“It was something that made sense. As we looked at it, it was something that it was already touching portions of our land. With our growing enrollment, it was kind of just the right place, the right time,” Kirkwood’s Dean of Agricultural Sciences and Hospitality Arts, Brad Kinsinger said.
Holding Ag production courses out in the field gives students direct, hands-on training. For example, students have been working on combine machines in the classroom. In the field, they will be able to use the machines during harvest season.
“We really look at using this land as a extension to our learning lab. We’re fortunate and we’re proud to say that our enrollment is growing and with that comes the need for more hands-on learning,” Kinsinger said, “So students within our Ag Business, our Ag Science, our Diesel Programs, will get direct hands-on use, but you never know how the other students may benefit as well.”
The $1.4 million purchase is scheduled to close on November 15, and the agriculture department is hoping to have students in the field by this upcoming spring.