Northwest Iowa Community College is expanding its agriculture offerings by bringing transferable agriculture courses to its Sheldon campus this fall.
The new face-to-face courses will complement NCC’s existing online Agriculture Associate of Applied Science degree and agriculture-related transfer options. The expansion allows students to begin working toward an agriculture-related bachelor’s degree close to home before transferring to a four-year college or university.
The initial on-campus courses will include:
•Agricultural Finance
•Animal Health
•Introduction to Agricultural Markets
•Farm Business Management
Each course is worth three credits. NCC says additional agriculture courses are planned for the spring semester as the college continues developing its on-campus offerings.
McCarty to Lead On-Campus Courses
The courses will be taught by Michael McCarty, NCC’s new on-campus agriculture instructor.
McCarty grew up on a family farm near Sibley and has worked in agricultural equipment sales, agricultural lending, farming, small-business ownership and education. He also served in the United States Navy as an aircraft crash and rescue firefighter and has spent decades volunteering as a firefighter.
McCarty said the agriculture industry’s growing reliance on technology, precision agriculture, global markets and data has changed what students need to succeed.
“The face of farming has changed dramatically,” McCarty said. “Technology continues to transform every aspect of agriculture, and today’s students need both a strong academic foundation and practical decision-making skills. My goal is to help students develop the knowledge and confidence they’ll need to succeed wherever their agriculture journey takes them.”
McCarty said the position allows him to invest in the future of agriculture in the region where he grew up.
“Agriculture offers a wide range of career opportunities, and I look forward to helping students discover the path that’s right for them.”
Pathway Toward Four-Year Degrees
Agriculture-related transfer majors available through NCC include agriculture business, agriculture education, agronomy and animal science.
Students in NCC’s transfer majors earn an Associate of Arts or Associate of Science degree while completing general education and transferable coursework. Students can then continue toward a bachelor’s degree at a four-year college or university.
According to information cited by NCC from the Iowa Board of Regents and Iowa Department of Education, NCC transfer students have a higher average first-term GPA, complete more credits during their first year, and have a higher three-year completion rate than the statewide community college average.
NCC President John Hartog said the on-campus courses build upon the college’s existing online agriculture options.
“This expansion builds on NCC’s existing online agriculture offerings and enhances opportunities for students pursuing agriculture careers and transfer pathways,” Hartog said. “It also reflects the College’s continued commitment to providing accessible, high-quality education that meets the needs of students, agriculture, and the communities we serve.”
More information about NCC’s agriculture programs and transfer majors is available at
nwicc.edu or by contacting Student Services at studentservices@nwicc.edu.
