-Farm News photo by Darcy Dougherty Maulsby
Hands-on learning with modern technology is a key part of Iowa Central's ag program. Instructor Mike Richards used this seed planter to help students learn about precision ag.

Jefferson — The influence of a good teacher can never be erased, especially when the teacher offers a real-world perspective. Just ask Mike Richards, a long-time ag instructor who recently retired from Iowa Central.

“I worked in seed sales for nearly 20 years during part of my career,” said Richards, 60.

“I’ll never forget the time I met with a long-time customer at his farm. He said, ‘It’s not going to be a good day for you,’ and told me why he wasn’t going to be able to buy seed from me that year. Students are surprised to learn that things like this happen, but I shared lots of stories about the ups of downs of the real world.”

While Richards retired from teaching on May 6 this spring after 14 years at Iowa Central, his legacy will leave a lasting impact. Just ask Jon Flattery, a licensed real estate salesperson and appraiser with Sunderman Farm Management in Fort Dodge.

“Mr. Richards had a great influence on me,” said Flattery, who earned his associate’s degree in ag business from Iowa Central in 2011. “He gave me a valuable understanding of the business side of farming, as well as good agronomic skills.”

-Farm News photo by Darcy Dougherty Maulsby Before he retired this May, Mike Richards taught at the Iowa Central campus in Fort Dodge and the new Greene County Career Academy, which is connected to the Greene County High School building in Jefferson. He helped teach Iowa Central’s ag curriculum, which includes animal science, agronomy, ag business and ag studies.

Richards always gave students a broad perspective of the many ag-related careers available in the area, Flattery added.

“The agriculture industry is the backbone of our economy,” said Flattery, who lives with his wife on a farm north of Fort Dodge, where they are raising their five children. “Mr. Richards always reinforced the importance of building strong relationships. He helped build a terrific ag program at Iowa Central, and there’s no doubt he has had an immense impact on the current workforce, thanks to Iowa Central alumni.”

Making a career switch at age 46

Richards, who grew up on a farm in the Churdan/Lohrville area, always had a passion for agriculture and education. After graduating from Lohrville High School in 1980, Richards earned his ag education degree from Northwest Missouri State University.

He taught agriculture classes and served as an FFA advisor at Clarion-Goldfield High School for four years before returning home to farm with his father. He also sold seed for Pioneer Hi-Bred for 19 years and sold precision ag equipment.

As much as he enjoyed farming and working in ag sales, he never lost his interest in education. A friend with ties to Iowa Central encouraged him to work there. “I was interested in teaching at the college level and helping young people reach their educational and career goals,” Richards said.

While it was a tough choice to leave his farming and sales career, Richards decided to take the plunge at age 46 and become the new ag instructor at Iowa Central in the fall of 2008.

Students quickly discovered that Richards emphasized hands-on learning, instead of lectures. He was also happy to welcome potential students to Iowa Central.

“When someone comes for a campus visit, they don’t just want to see the buildings and technology — they want to visit with the instructors,” Richards said. “I’d step out of my classroom for a few minutes to talk with them and answer their questions.”

Students aren’t just a number at Iowa Central, added Richards, who has observed the trend of more female students enrolling in agriculture programs in the past decade. “About 40 percent of the students in Iowa Central’s ag classes are females. There are so many opportunities in ag today for young women, especially in ag sales.”

Richards worked hard to make sure all ag students at Iowa Central had plenty of leadership training, along with classroom learning. During his time at Iowa Central, the school added a chapter of the National Professional Agricultural Student Organization (PAS). This student-led organization allows young people to build their skills so they’re ready for the workplace. “It’s like FFA for college kids,” said Richards, who noted that Iowa Central’s chapter has produced a number of state officers.

Before he retired, Richards taught not only at the Iowa Central campus in Fort Dodge, but the new Greene County Career Academy, which is connected to the Greene County High School building in Jefferson. He helped teach Iowa Central’s ag curriculum, which includes animal science, agronomy, ag business and ag studies classes.

“Almost all of our classes can transfer directly to Iowa State University,” said Richards, who noted that 40 to 50 percent of Iowa Central’s ag students transfer to a four-year university after earning their two-year degree at Iowa Central.

Jon Wells appreciates how Richards challenged him to consider new options. “Mike is one of the biggest drivers who influenced my career,” said Wells, the safety and risk manager for NEW Cooperative.

Wells grew up on an acreage near Storm Lake and worked for local farmers when he was in high school. While he planned to get his two-year degree at Iowa Central and then start working full-time, Richards urged him to consider additional education. “Mike cares about each of his students, and I’m glad he encouraged me to earn my four-year degree,” said Wells, who studied technology and agronomy at Northwest Missouri State University.

Adapting to changing times

Getting to know students individually and helping them reach their goals has always been important to Richards. “A good teacher needs to be a good communicator, and this starts with listening,” he said.

A good teacher also finds ways to adapt to changing times. While smartphones can be a distraction in the classroom, for example, Richards found ways to incorporate them. Students could download apps to check grain bids and calculate fertilizer rates.

Throughout his career, Richards made it a priority to provide Iowa Central ag students with the best learning opportunities possible. During his last two years at the college, he taught 22 credits a semester. While an offer that was too good to refuse prompted him to take early retirement on May 6, Richards plans to continue living in Jefferson and working in agriculture.

He also looks forward to spending more time with his family.

“I’m lucky, because I have a great family at home, and I’ve had a second family at school,” said Richards, who appreciates all the support he has received through the years from administrators and colleagues at Iowa Central. “The students are awesome, and I look forward to staying in touch with people I’ve met at Iowa Central.”