Agriculture, Food & Natural Resources

Ever wonder how raw steel becomes a high-quality piece of ag equipment? In this shadow experience, you will get an understanding of the full process and all the careers needed to create the final product. From fabrication, to welding, to painting, to delivery of a top-of-the-line piece of manure handling equipment. Production consists of CNC machine operators, welders, electrostatic paint booth operators, and much more. Cap of 5. 

From concept to finished product, Kinze Manufacturing designs and manufactures planters, grain carts, and tillage equipment at its facility in Williamsburg, Iowa. Join us as we begin our day at Kinze touring the Kinze Innovation Center, which highlights Kinze’s 60 years of innovation and the technology that is shaping the future of farming. We will also have a factory tour to observe how raw materials and other components come together to become a finished product. Throughout the day you will observe and visit with Kinze employees in the areas of welding, machining, assembly, powder coat painting, testing, engineering, sales, marketing, and many more. Join us for this unique opportunity to observe several different agricultural and manufacturing careers under one roof!

As you evaluate career options and opportunities, job security and career diversity is something you probably have on your mind. The agriculture industry provides just that! Learn how the Stutsman sales team serves diverse sectors of the agriculture industry from local farmers and livestock producers, to feed mills and feed retailers. On top of engaging with agriculture sales representatives from agronomy, feed ingredients and manure equipment, you’ll take a tour of the Stutsman facility in Hills and hear from an agriculture marketing professional. If you are looking for a rewarding career helping people maximize their success with technology, problem solving, and communication/listening skills, make sure to join us for our ag sales discussion. Cap of 12.

Are you interested in farming within city limits? If so, join us at Colony Acres Family Farm in their off season to learn about their agricultural process of growing pumpkins and other crops, see the day to day tasks of running and maintaining an urban farm. Cap of 5. This job shadow will take place on a Saturday.

If you enjoy a fall day at the pumpkin patch, join us at Colony Acres Family Farm for a day in Agricultural Tourism. You will learn what it takes to run fall agritourism activities like hayrides, corn mazes, pumpkin picking and much more. This job shadow will take place on a Saturday. Cap of 5.

Have you ever wondered what types of farming exist beyond the typical farming methods? Attend this job shadow to see how this business operates for profit on a sustainable small farm. Experience the grown-not flown flower movement by learning about what it takes to raise, harvest and pick fresh-grown flowers. Come see the beauty for yourself at Promise and Blossom! Held Fall 2025 and Spring 2026.

If you are interested in Chemistry, Microbiology, and Consumer Product Testing then this day is for you! Experience the life of a quality analyst at Frontier Co-op. Learn about the main testing methods used to ensure high quality spices, culinary herbs and essential oils. Gain insight into the diverse set of quality indicators, as well as regulatory requirements used at Frontier Co-op.  Held late September and early April. Cap of 12.

Interested in a career in conservation and the protection of our natural resources? Do you share the goal of providing opportunities for people to experience the outdoors and develop an awareness and admiration of nature? Hear directly from county conservation directors, natural resource managers, park rangers, and environmental educators and tour the beautiful Wickiup Hill Learning Center. Held October 14th, 2025.

Explore careers in Public Work, which is a broad category of infrastructure projects conducted by local government for health, safety, and recreational benefit for a community. Learn how chemistry and microbiology play a key role in Public Works. Learn about water treatment and management, municipal water supply,  landscaping and ground maintenance, equipment maintenance, and general public works. Two locations will be visited, and students will need to be able to transport themselves from one location to the other. Held March 3, 2026.

Do you love dogs and taking care of them? If so, join us at Clear Creek Dog Resort and Spaw to learn about careers in Dog Grooming. You will talk to the groomers about their education, career, and learn about the tools they use for bathing and grooming. You will also take a tour of the kennels and learn about their day to day tasks and services they provide. Cap of 5.

Have you ever wondered where your drinking water comes from or where we get the materials for Iowa’s extensive road network? Geoscientists at the Iowa Geological Survey (IGS) utilize a wide variety of data and the latest technology to address issues related to the quality and quantity of groundwater, aggregate and mineral resources, mapping geologic hazards, and more. Come see how the staff at IGS analyze rock samples collected from the drilling of water wells.  Held early-Mid October. Cap of 10.

This experience is for students that have not grown up on a farm. Sit in the seat of farm equipment and experience how corn and soybeans are harvested using modern technology and high-tech equipment to move from combine, auger cart, and semi-truck to the grain handling set up. Learn about the stages of plant development, what factors determine high yields, how to tell when a field is ready for harvest, and much more! Held mid-October- specific date will be determined by the farmer close to the experience. Cap of 20.

Discover the dynamic world of the green industry at our Horticulture Sciences Career Day, hosted by Kirkwood’s Horticulture Sciences program. At this hands-on, career-focused day you can talk one-on-one with industry professionals and Kirkwood faculty learning how science, creativity, and sustainability come together in careers that shape outdoor environments and support healthy ecosystems. Talk one-on-one with experts in golf course and sports turfgrass management, landscape design, and greenhouse management. Hear directly from current students about their experiences in their internships, tour state-of-the-art learning facilities, and get an up-close look at the tools, technology, and techniques used in today’s Horticulture industry. Held Dec. 5, 2025.

Thinking about a career in Conservation? Find out what park rangers, environmental educators, natural resource managers, and conservation directors do on a daily basis.  Held October 17th, 2025, 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Hosted by Kirkwood’s Parks and Natural Resources program, learn about careers as a park ranger, park manager, naturalist and conservation officer. Hear from students currently enrolled in the program, speak with faculty teaching the classes, visit with a park ranger, park manager, conservation officer and naturalist. Held Feb. 20, 2026

Do you like the outdoors and care about our environment? Here’s your opportunity to learn how district & resource conservationists, soil conservation technicians, soil scientists, civil engineers, and civil engineering technicians work to protect and preserve nature in partnership with landowners and farmers. Held Oct. 30th from 9-11 a.m.

Do you have an interest in the environment, resource conservation, or climate action?  Learn how City of Cedar Rapids careers such as Sustainability Program Manager, Environmental Specialist, City Arborist, and Transportation Planner create sustainability products or services and/or strive to reduce the environmental impact of the City’s processes and operations. Begin the job shadow in the City Hall Council Chambers, then take a tour outside, near the river, to learn about the inner workings of the flood wall and see how each career works to positively impact the environment. Held April 16, 2026.

Learn about careers as a veterinarian, veterinary technician, and veterinary assistant. Hear from folks in these careers and experience interactive rotations including animal examinations, dental, x-ray, lab, and surgery. Will be held at Kirkwood Regional Center at the University of Iowa on Oakdale Blvd. in Coralville. Held Mid October. Cap of 20.

Hosted by Kirkwood’s Animal Health Technology Program, learn about careers as a veterinarian, veterinary technician, and veterinary assistant. Hear from students currently enrolled in the program, speak with a veterinarian and experience interactive rotations including animal examinations, dental, x-ray, lab, and surgery. Held Dec. 5, 2025 and Spring, 2026.Cap of 40 per session.

Are you looking for a career where you can be out and about, not tied to an office? Do you like to be hands-on? Are you looking for a career where you can gain on the job training? Discover what it means to have a career as a heavy equipment mechanic, a fabricator (welder), a drilling service provider (for water wells) and a pump service provider. Observe a drill rig and a pump rig in action. Plus, learn about wells, aquifers and the importance of groundwater preservation. This is a full day experience from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., multiple job sites may be visited as part of the shadow.

Also referred to as Agricultural Equipment Mechanic, Combine Mechanic or Dairy Equipment Installer. Diagnose, adjust, repair or overhaul farm machinery and vehicles such as tractors, harvesters, dairy equipment, and irrigation systems.

Sell goods to wholesalers, manufacturers or farmers. Agriculture sales representatives may sell anything from animal feed, seed, pesticides, equipment and more. Technical or scientific knowledge may be required in such areas as biology, engineering, chemistry and electronics; normally obtained from at least two years of post-secondary education.

Conduct research in breeding, physiology, production, yield and management of crops and agricultural plants or trees, shrubs and nursery stock. Study growth and control of pests; or study the chemical, physical, biological and mineralogical composition of soils as they relate to plant or crop growth. May classify and map soils and investigate effects of alternative practices on soil and crop productivity.

A conservationist works to protect animals, plants and natural resources, or to prevent the loss or waste of natural resources. A naturalist plans, develops and conducts programs to inform the public of historical, natural and scientific features of national, state or local parks.

A florist, also known as a floral designer, creates and sells floral arrangements for various occasions. They design bouquets, centerpieces, wreaths, and other displays, using fresh, dried, or artificial flowers and greenery. Florists also handle customer orders, provide advice on flower selection, and may be responsible for inventory management and business operations.

Landscape or maintain property using tools and equipment. Workers typically perform a variety of tasks, which may include any combination of the following: sod laying, mowing, trimming, planting, watering, fertilizing, digging, raking, sprinkler installation and installation of mortarless segmental concrete masonry wall units.

Park rangers, who generally work for municipal parks departments, state parks systems or for the National Park Service (NPS), may have job duties that primarily encompass law enforcement or protective services, or they may perform duties specific to the interpretation of cultural or historic points of interest within the parks they serve. Depending on the role, they may focus on enforcing park rules and regulations, or they may spend the better part of their day assisting visitors, giving group tours and presenting visitor programs.

A groomer is responsible for maintaining the hygiene and appearance of pets, most commonly dogs, including bathing, clipping, drying, and styling their coats, as well as other tasks like nail trimming and ear cleaning.

Diagnose, treat or research diseases and injuries of animals. Includes veterinarians who conduct research and development, inspect livestock or care for pets and companion animals.

Perform medical tests in a laboratory environment for use in the treatment and diagnosis of diseases in animals. Prepare vaccines and serums for prevention of diseases. Prepare tissue samples, take blood samples and execute laboratory tests such as urinalysis and blood counts. Clean and sterilize instruments and materials and maintain equipment and machines. May assist a veterinarian during surgery.

Operate or control an entire process or system of machines, often through the use of control boards, to transfer or treat water or wastewater.