The Kirkwood Community College Board of Trustees approved the purchase of 80 acres of land near the main campus to expand the agriculture program.
The land is located across the street from the Airport National Golf Course along Wright Brothers Boulevard.
“It actually borders two of our other fields so it fits right in,” said Brad Kinsinger, dean of Agricultural Sciences and Hospitality Arts. “We want our farm land close enough for students to still commute to their other classes on campus.”
Kinsinger said the cost of the land was $1,356,000 and the college will take possession of the land on Nov. 15.
“There are current crops on the ground so that gives the individual who is leasing the ground currently time to complete their harvest … there is a house on the property currently so there was lead time for them to find alternatives,” he said.
The land will benefit students in a variety of majors. “Our Ag Business and Ag Science students will use it for their crop classes, harvesting and drying,” Kinsinger said.
He went on to say the diesel students in the combine maintenance and servicing classes, the Horticulture Department that grows hydroponics, and the Parks and Natural Resource Program can work on conservation and water qualities.
Kinsinger said the crops produced will be distributed several ways. “Like a working farm lab, some of it is going to go back into our feed stops for cattle and pigs, some of it will be fed to our livestock here on campus, and some of it will be sold to elevators,” he said.
“The farm supports itself … it is a learning lab, but just like a real farm that has all the operations.”
“We’re grateful that the college is supporting the agriculture program because this does allow additional hands-on working opportunities for students which is so important for what we do here,” Kinsinger said.
Categories: Campus News, News
