Sustainable Agriculture

A new kind of farmer is looking beyond corn and soybean fields.  Demands for specialty and locally grown vegetables, fruit, grain, livestock, and related agricultural products have increased in recent years. Farmers trained in the practices of sustainable agriculture can take advantage of emerging markets in local and specialty agricultural products by using entrepreneurial business and niche marketing skills. Sustainable agriculture is economically profitable, ecologically sound, and community-based.

Marshalltown Community College has developed the Sustainable and Entrepreneurial Agriculture program to address the knowledge and skill needs of innovative farmers. The program is the first of its kind in the Midwest, offering diverse farmers unique opportunities.

MCC offers Real Direction for Real Success.

"Most people think that you can't become an Iowa farmer if you're not already a member of a financially secure family farm. I believe that MCC's new coursework in Sustainable and Entrepreneurial Agriculture will provide the necessary skills for one to become a farmer without family connections or huge capital investments. I would encourage all who wish to start an agricultural business to investigate MCC’s program."

Mark Tjelmeland Practical Farmers of Iowa board