Colby Community College Agriculture: Hands-On Learning with Industry Connections and State-of-the-Art Facilities

• August 12, 2026
• Newsletter Article

Discover how Colby Community College prepares students for successful careers in agriculture through hands-on learning, industry experience, and modern training facilities.

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A Leader in Agricultural Education 

Located in the heart of northwest Kansas, Colby Community College is nationally recognized for its commitment to hands-on, real-world agricultural education. With a 57-acre campus and a 60-acre working farm, CCC provides students with the opportunity to learn in an immersive environment that prepares them for careers in production agriculture, agribusiness, veterinary medicine, and beyond. Colby consistently ranks near the top for retention and graduation rates among Kansas community colleges, and its agricultural division is a significant contributor to these achievements. 
 
Since 2020, the institution has made significant investments in its agricultural programs by introducing new certificates and tracks, adding and renovating facilities, enhancing remote learning options, and hiring additional faculty. Students benefit from small class sizes, direct mentorship from expert faculty, and industry certifications that translate into immediate employability. 

 

Programs That Build Future Ag Leaders 

 

Beef Production and Feedyard Certificate 

CCC’s beef program provides students with access to registered Angus herds, AI and BQA certification, and a unique performance bull test and sale that generates real-world industry data. Students are involved with calving, pregnancy detection, vaccinations, and herd management while also learning to operate feed wagons, collect carcass data, and manage nutrition programs. 
 
Veterinary Nursing 

Colby is one of a handful of AVMA-accredited institutions that offers both on-campus and distance learning programs. Students gain hands-on experience in new state-of-the-art facilities with college owned animals while learning surgery, anesthesia, radiology, dentistry, and rehabilitation skills. Distance learning students from across the nation gain experience by working with local veterinary hospitals and completing coursework online. Students without access to species locally can attend optional “Fly-In” weekends in Colby each semester for in-person mentorship in large-animal, exotic pet, and microbiology courses. 
 
Transfer and Agribusiness Programs 

Because of transfer agreements with state universities, students pursuing an Associate of Science degree can transition seamlessly and earn a bachelor’s degree in agronomy, animal science, agricultural education, and other related disciplines. 

 

Opportunities Beyond the Classroom 

CCC believes education extends past textbooks. Students engage in: 

 

• Collegiate Farm Bureau Chapter: Kansas’ largest collegiate ag chapter, with a record of state-level recognition. 
• Equestrian and rodeo teams: Competing regionally and nationally in IHSA and NIRA events. 
• Livestock Judging Team: Competing in more than a dozen national contests annually. 
• Student Veterinary Nursing Association: An active chapter of the National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America.  
• Ag Division Events: From the CCC Classic Spring Livestock Show and annual Bull Sale to the Highway 24 cleanup and bi-semester community pet wash, students actively serve and educate the community. 

 

Investing in Facilities 

Colby's recent infrastructure upgrades included installing nearly 9,000 feet of fence and hauling in thousands of square feet of dirt to fix drainage issues at the college farm, located three miles east of town. The farm's equine unit features two outdoor riding arenas, a fully equipped breeding laboratory, foaling stalls, and a heated wash rack. Students in the beef unit learn in a state-of-the-art teaching and breeding facility featuring AI breeding stations, hydraulic chutes, a sale ring, and advanced Vytelle Sense feed efficiency monitoring systems that provide students with valuable data-driven learning experiences.  

On campus, the Lon Frahm Agricultural Center, which opened in 2023, provides students with 12,400 square feet of classroom and laboratory space, as well as offices for 16 faculty members. The 2023 renovation of the Stanley Carr Agricultural Center now accommodates veterinary nursing, featuring a large treatment room, surgical suite, dental suite, radiology room, animal housing area with rooms for dogs, cats, guinea pigs, rabbits, birds, rodents, and other exotic animals, a large animal room with pens and stocks, and a physical rehabilitation area for dogs. 

 

Interested in building a career in agriculture? Learn more about Colby Community College's agricultural programs and see how they can help you develop the skills, experience, and industry connections needed for success. Visit Colby Community College's AgCareers profile to explore the programs and opportunities available.