MCC-Maple Woods began offering agriculture courses in Fall 2021 and has continued to add courses each semester since then.
One in 10 Missouri jobs is in agriculture, and agribusiness contributes $93 billion each year to the state’s economy, according to the Missouri Department of Agriculture. Kansas City is a vital part of the “Animal Health Corridor,” which has emerged over the past 15 years in the area spanning Lawrence to Columbia, and accounts for nearly 60% of the world’s animal health, diagnostics and pet food sales.
Agriculture Annex
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In March 2025, the college opened the Agriculture Annex, a facility designed to support hands-on learning.
The new facility features a 2,100-square-foot greenhouse, a large lecture hall and a laboratory classroom, plus plenty of space for hands-on learning and incorporation of modern technology within the agriculture program.
The building also includes a multipurpose space that can be used for other classes and events.
Partnerships with area school districts have been instrumental in the continued development and expansion of the ag program.
MCC has partnered with the Platte County School District’s Northland Career Center (serving Smithville, Liberty, North Kansas City and other K-12 school districts) to offer an early college academy through which students can earn an associate degree along with their high school diploma. Dual credit opportunities are also available.
Agriculture Program
The Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S.) in agriculture will serve students pursuing a degree and employment in the agriculture industry, and it will create a transfer pathway for students who wish to move on to university agriculture programs to earn a bachelor's degree. The program offers three degree pathways:
Agribusiness
Agribusiness pathway is for students who want to go into the business, economics, marketing, farm management or logistics of agriculture.
Course offerings include: global agriculture, leaderships in agriculture, agribusiness management, agriculture marketing, logistics management, and economics
Animal Science
The animal science pathway is for students who want to go into livestock production, aquaculture, animal nutrition, meat science, or veterinary science.
Animal science focuses on animal, food and fiber production, and management. The courses encompass animal biology, breeding and genetics, nutrition, growth, behavior and management.
Course offerings include: global agriculture, leaderships in agriculture, animal science, meat science, animal nutrition, animal reproduction, veterinary terminology
Plant Science
The plant science pathway is for students who want to go into horticulture, agronomy, hydroponics, aquaponics, aeroponics, landscaping, turf management, greenhouse management, or urban agriculture.
Course offerings include: global agriculture, leaderships in agriculture,soil science, pest management, horticulture, agriculture marketing, introduction to plant science