MCC-Maple Woods in KC's Northland officially welcomes new Agriculture Annex
Metropolitan Community College held a ribbon-cutting ceremony March 25 to celebrate
the opening of the MCC-Maple Woods Agriculture Annex. The new $6.8 million facility, which began welcoming students in January, is home
to MCC’s newly expanded agriculture program.
MCC-Maple Woods began offering agriculture courses in Fall 2021 and has continued
to add courses each semester since then. Students will now be able to pursue an associate
in applied science (A.A.S.) in agriculture degree with emphasis options in agribusiness,
plant science and animal science.
Maple Woods is also home to a popular and highly regarded veterinary technology program,
which celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2023.
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.
Maple Woods President Ellen Crowe said construction of the 9,366-square-foot-agriculture
building represents growth and development in the region.
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.
“The Maple Woods campus has always stood out in the Northland in providing an excellent
academic experience due to our outstanding staff and faculty,” Crowe said. “The new
Ag Annex allows us to widen our positive impact on our community.”
Crowe said 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.
The Ag Annex project was funded through a combination of federal, state and private
sources, including the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) and the Consolidated Appropriations
Act of 2024, which bolstered infrastructure, agricultural research, and animal and
plant health programs. State support was provided by the Missouri Department of Higher
Education and Workforce Development through MoExcels, which supports employer-driven
education and training opportunities. Private contributions were made possible by
a gift from the Edward F. Swinney Trust with Bank of America n.a. serving as trustee,
as well as gifts from the Kemper Family Foundations and the Kearney Wornall Charitable
Trust & Foundation, both with UMB Bank n.a. serving as trustee.
Additionally, bond funds were utilized to complete the project.
Clark & Enersen designed the Agriculture Annex for MCC, and the general contractor was Universal Construction.