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University of Nebraska–Lincoln

Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture - Curtis

About NCTA

Located 45 miles southeast of North Platte, NE and Interstate 80, Curtis is home to the Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture. The community of Curtis, known as the "Easter City," for its annual Easter Pageant, is home to 800 residents. Curtis is located on the gentle rolling plains of southwestern Nebraska in the northwest part of Frontier county. A sledding hill, volunteer-run movie theater, karaoke and more allow students to enjoy the uniqueness of this small Nebraska town.
 
NCTA occupies a 72-acre campus which adjoins the town of Curtis, Nebraska, on the northeast. The College also owns a 562-acre farm which serves as a field laboratory. The farm includes grain storage facilities, cattle growing and finishing facilities, and a completely diversified dry land and irrigated farming operation

The Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture was established in 1965 as a land-grant institution - known at that time as UNSTA.  According to a researcher at Cornell College in Iowa, NCTA is the oldest college campus that was previously a high school and is still functioning today as an educational institution.  The campus is rich in history with many of the original buildings, including Ag Hall, still being used.  NCTA blends its history with the latest in technology as it continuously improves and adds new facilities to the campus.

Facilities Highlights

  • The Livestock Teaching Center was completed in 2001 and houses faculty offices, two classrooms, a conference room, concession area and an indoor arena.  The arena measures 112x250 feet plus an additional 20 feet of bleachers.  The arena can seat 450 spectators.
  • An equine barn was completed in 2002 with stalls and runs to house the NCTA horses.
  • Roomy air conditioned living rooms and game rooms in the dorms.
  • Newly paved roads across campus.
  • Animal Health and Plant Science classrooms and laboratory complex.
  • Kennel facilities for NCTA’s small animals and exotic animal housing.
  • The Curtis Arrowhead Meadows Golf Course and Mill Park Arena are utilized by NCTA as laboratories and practice facilities.   
  • The Learning Resource Center was remodeled in 2000 and now includes a computer laboratory, computer support services and the library.   
  • A new elevator was installed in Ag Hall in 2001.   
  • Two residence halls house over 150 students.
  • A 3,400 square foot greenhouse is one of the largest greenhouse facilities of any two-year institution.
  • NCTA sits on 72.5 acres with an additional 561.68 acres of crop and rangeland laboratories.  Approximately 200 acres of the farm lab is irrigated crop land.
  • The Livestock Working Facilities were completed in 2001 and include two indoor hydraulic chutes.
  • Cattle growing and finishing facilities including rangeland and a feedlot.
  • On-campus bookstore.
  • On-campus cafeteria.
  • Newly remodeled Chemistry Laboratory.
  • Operating room, x-ray bays, necropsy room, laboratories and other Veterinary Technology working facilities.
  • A progressive beef operation including a herd of Angus and crossbred cattle.