Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources Career Exploration

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! Held in Dec. 2026. Cap. of 24.

Come experience a day of learning how careers in agriculture have an impact on the future of feeding the world. You will understand the educational requirements needed in the fields of agricultural research, seed manufacturing, and operational leadership. Discover more about Bayer’s cutting-edge product development, from research to creating a final hybrid. If you are interested in crop science, supply chain manufacturing or people leadership, this would be a great opportunity for you! Cap of 20.

Are you interested in learning more about a career as an agriculture service technician? You will hear from current service techs and watch them in action.  Learn about the educational requirements to get started and the opportunities for advancement in this career. Cap of 8 students.

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 March 25th and April 8th, 2027. Cap of 12.

This day explores various career opportunities in conservation, wildlife, law enforcement and environmental management. During the day, students will learn about the roles of a Park Ranger,  Natural Resources Manager, Naturalist, Park Director, and Administrative Assistant.  If weather permits, students will have the opportunity to observe a controlled burn as well as other early spring activities. Held in late March 2027.

Interested in Conservation but not sure what career? Attend the exploration session from the Johnson County Conservation Board. Learn about the following career paths: conservationist, park ranger, environmental education and natural resource manager (field botanist) all within the County Conservation Board. Finish the day by touring projects under way at the County Park. Held in early April.

Did you know that there are careers in Ecology right here in your own backyard? Ecology is a branch of science concerned with the interrelationship between organisms and their environment. Come spend some time at the Monarch Research Project in Marion – which supports local biodiversity by collaborating with local residents to restore native habitat and make Linn County a model pollinator county. Learn about careers in Ecology, Entomology (the study of insects), Botany (the study of plants),  Dendrology (the study of trees), and more! See how Monarch Research is revitalizing monarch butterfly populations and sowing the seeds of ecological resilience, one native plant and tree at a time. Held Late April/Early May, 2027.

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. 4, 2026.

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. Hosted in March 2027.

Are you passionate about science, technology, engineering, or math (STEM) — and curious how these fields connect to agriculture? Join us for an immersive job shadow experience at the Southeast Research and Demonstration Farm in Crawfordsville, where you'll explore real-world careers at the intersection of STEM and agriculture. Learn more about becoming an agricultural or environmental engineer, agronomist, or a livestock specialist. Hosted in April 2027. Cap of 10.

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, and then take a walk outside along the city streets with the City Arborist. Later, the tour moves near the riverfront to learn about the inner workings of the flood wall and see how each career works to positively impact the environment. Scheduled for April 15, 2027.

Sustainable Water Management by local government for health, safety, environmental, and recreational benefit for a community. Learn how chemistry and microbiology play a key role in Public Works Careers. Learn about wastewater treatment and management and municipal water supply. See up close how wastewater is properly treated and then discharged into the environment cleaner than the stream itself. Also see how tap water is tested and distributed through a public works department. Two locations will be visited so students may need to transport themselves, or be allowed to be transported from one location to the other. Scheduled for March 2, 2027.

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 in spring 2027. Cap of 40 per session.