NICC agriculture program curriculum redesigned

As new technologies and best practices change agriculture, they also change agriculture education.

Northeast Iowa Community College is responding by redesigning its academic programs.  NICC Trustees have approved the suspension of the college's Agriculture Production – Associate of Applied Science degree program and have approved a new Agronomy and Crop Science program.

The Agriculture Production program, which presented an overview of a variety of ag production areas, will close at the end of the 2017-2018 academic year. The new Agronomy and Crop Science program will begin with the 2018-2019 academic year.  It will focus on soil health, food production and farm sustainability. New courses include Plant Physiology, Livestock Nutrient Management, Grain Management, Agriculture Fertilizer and Chemicals, and a Special Project.  
 
The shift in program design reflects changes in crop production and is a result of discussions with member colleges and organizations affiliated with the Community College Agriculture Alliance Advisory (CCAAC). NICC is one of 10 Midwest colleges, and the only community college, invited to join the consortium to move agriculture research and best practices forward across the nation.