SPRINGFIELD — More than 350 students from 31 high schools participated in Lincoln Land Community College’s fourth annual Agriculture Career Expo on Friday, Sept. 7 from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The expo showcased the many job opportunities available in agriculture by bringing together interested students with educational resources and industry professionals.
“While the field of agriculture includes farming, there are also many jobs that can be found off the farm,” says Bill Harmon, LLCC agriculture program coordinator. “Some of these jobs include horticulturist, food scientist, real estate analyst, sales representative and machinery mechanic.”
At the expo, students toured campus and learned about LLCC’s agriculture program options and how they can get started. They participated in breakout sessions on topics such as ag technology, animal science, ag clubs and quiz bowl. During the technology session, students had the opportunity to operate the combine simulator and drone. Students also met with LLCC Ag faculty and students, and they participated in a career fair with representatives from local ag-related businesses. In addition, participants received a T-shirt and lunch.
Event sponsors included Farm Credit of Illinois, First National Bank of Litchfield, Illinois Pork Producers, Jenner Ag, Sloan Implement, M & M Service Company, The Equity, BRANDT, Christian County Farmers Supply Company, Countryside Veterinary Service, FS/GROWMARK, Green View, Facilitating Coordination in Agricultural Education, AGRI-SEARCH, Canteen Vending, County Market of Chatham and Quiznos.
LLCC offers an associate degree in agriculture, designed for students planning to transfer to a four-year college or university to complete a bachelor’s degree. For students preparing to enter directly into the workforce, LLCC provides two-year associate in applied science degrees in agri-business management, horticulture and precision agronomy/fertilizer, as well as certificate programs in fertilizer, agricultural watershed management and landscape design/turf management. For more information, visit www.llcc.edu/agriculture.
— Lincoln Land Community College
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