Garden City Community College is the longest continuously operating community college in Kansas and has had an animal science program for over 80 years. The program transitioned in 2000 from more of a basic animal science program to having emphasis on food science and safety as well as meat processing. GCCC’s former students can be found in multiple places in the agricultural industry, from farming and ranching to teaching in the classroom to animal health sales.
Although a large percentage of GCCC graduates will continue their education at a university, there are many students who come to this program for a non-transfer degree or a certificate program. GCCC offers certificates in Ag Business, Animal Science and Food Safety, including training in ServSafe® and HACCP for food industry partners. Additionally, with a mobile classroom, the program can take our training courses anywhere. The GCCC Mobile Lab is a large trailer that has slide-outs to make a 1,000 square foot mobile classroom. The trailer has its own satellite with wireless access for the 30 laptop computers inside and also has heating, air conditioning and a small kitchen. Training, such as Beef Quality Assurance, has been completed utilizing the mobile lab at feedyards and ranches across Kansas, Oklahoma and Texas.