We extend our sympathy to Bill Harmon, professor, agriculture and Brianna VanMeter, recruitment specialist on the passing of Elmer Harmon of Taylorville. Elmer is the father of Bill and grandfather of Brianna. A memorial service is scheduled for Oct. 19 in Taylorville. Donations may be made to the Ovarian Cancer Research Alliance (OCRA) or First Presbyterian Church of Taylorville. Read the obituary.
Category Archives: Ag
Ag & Workforce Careers Expo, a huge success
The third annual Ag and Workforce Careers Expo was the largest to date. Nearly 1,300 students and 100 vendors filled the LLCC campus on Thursday. See more photos on the LLCC Facebook page.
2024 Illinois Pork Industry Group (PIG) at LLCC
The Illinois Pork Producers Association is now accepting applications for the 2024 Illinois Pork Industry Group (PIG) at LLCC. This new, six-week learning program beginning on Oct.10, 2024, is developed for LLCC students who want to better understand Illinois’ swine industry and expand their network of agricultural professionals in the state. Students will grow their knowledge of commercial pork production, diverse career opportunities, agricultural advocacy, professionalism and more. Each session will also include a free lunch, door prizes and helpful advice from industry experts.
All LLCC students with an interest in pork production and agriculture are eligible to apply, regardless of academic major. Interested students must submit their online application, resume and a letter of recommendation by 11:59 p.m. on Sept. 1, 2024. Selected candidates will be notified by Monday, Sept. 9, 2024.
Selected students must attend all six sessions, post social media updates throughout the six weeks and complete a final report survey. After documentation has been approved, each participant will be awarded a $300 scholarship.
All six sessions will be held on Thursdays at the Kreher Agriculture Center unless otherwise noted. Student transportation to offsite locations will be provided by LLCC.
- Session 1: Pork 101 & Policy Conversation – Oct. 10, 1-3:30 p.m.
- Session 2: Borgic Farms Sow Farm Tour – Oct. 17, 11:30 a.m.-4 p.m.
- Session 3: Let’s Talk Animal Health, Sustainability & Regs A-Z – Oct. 24, 1-3:30 p.m.
- Session 4: Speed Networking Career Event – Oct. 31, 1-3:30 p.m.
- Session 5: Packing Plant Tour – Nov. 7, 11:30 a.m.-4 p.m.
- Session 6: Carcass Demonstration & Retail Discussion – Nov. 14, 1-3:30 p.m.
- Banquet & Award Ceremony – Nov. 19, 5-7 p.m.
For questions about the program, please have students contact Jennifer Tirey at jennifer@ilpork.com.
LLCC at state fair
LLCC will be at the Illinois State Fair! The college will be in the Illinois Community College Board (ICCB) tent (off Brian Raney Ave., near Lincoln Stage) on four days to share information on the wide array of educational opportunities available from LLCC and other Illinois community colleges. Representatives from LLCC Recruitment and Admissions and academic departments will be on hand with interactive activities and to talk with fairgoers.
- Friday, Aug. 9 – Natural and Agricultural Sciences
- Saturday, Aug. 10 – Community Education
- Wednesday, Aug. 14 – Workforce Institute
- Friday, Aug. 16 – Health Professions
Jay Kitterman, culinary and special events consultant, will be judging the Blue Ribbon Pie Contest once again at the state fair. Channing Fullaway-Johnson will be judging charcuterie on Saturday, Aug. 10.
The LLCC Ag Club will be helping out at the Pork Patio on Saturday, Aug. 17.
In the News
Bill Harmon, agronomy professor, was interviewed by a farm broadcaster from the Miller Media Group. His interview will be played on their stations in the coming days.
Kreher included on international agricultural tour
LLCC’s Kreher Agriculture Center was one stop for a group of agricultural tourists from Brazil visiting the area on Thursday. The group was hosted by Brandt.
In the news
LLCC Professor of Agronomy, Bill Harmon, was interviewed by WCIA for a feature on the college’s agriculture program. The ag feature was part of Community College Connections, which aired on Wednesday morning.
In the news
Bill Harmon, professor of agronomy, was interviewed by FarmWeek for a feature article on his recent Golden Owl award.
In the news
Bill Harmon, professor of agronomy, was interviewed June 26 by RFD Radio about receiving the Golden Owl award for postsecondary instructors at the Illinois Association of Vocational Agriculture Instructors Conference. The award recognizes ag educators who devote countless hours to positively impact the lives of their students. This was the first year the award included a category for which community college and university instructors were eligible.
Bill Harmon receives Golden Owl award
Bill Harmon with daughter Mackenzie, LLCC alum, who will begin her own ag teaching career this fall at Illini Bluffs High School
Bill Harmon, LLCC professor of agronomy, recently received the Golden Owl award for postsecondary instructors at the Illinois Association of Vocational Agriculture Instructors Conference in Carbondale June 19-21.
The award recognizes ag educators who devote countless hours to positively impact the lives of their students. This was the first year the award included a category for which post-secondary community college and university instructors were eligible. The Golden Owl award has been sponsored by Nationwide Insurance since 2020. Before this, the award was known as the Excellence in Teaching Award.
Harmon has taught agriculture at LLCC since 1997. Before joining the college, he taught high school agriculture at Morrisonville for seven years. Harmon is an LLCC alum and earned a bachelor’s degree in ag education and a master’s degree in agronomy from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.
Congratulations, Bill!