Category Archives: Natural and Agricultural Sciences

04.19.22

Two LLCC biology students awarded summer research internships at UIUC

Kayleigh AmbroseLLCC biology students Kayleigh Ambrose of Jacksonville and Anthony Lamb of Chatham are among 10 students chosen from across Illinois to participate in the Phenotypic Plasticity Research Experience for Community College Students (PRECS) at the University of Illinois Urbana Champaign this summer.

PRECS, supported by a National Science Foundation grant, will begin with a boot camp on topics ranging from specific laboratory methods to research ethics. Students will then join a research immersion program in phenotypic plasticity, the phenomenon of a single genotype producing multiple phenotypes depending on environment. Ambrose and Lamb will present their research findings at LLCC as well as at an undergraduate research symposium at UIUC. They will each be awarded a $6,000 stipend along with food, housing and travel allowances for the 10-week program.

Anthony Lamb“The PRECS program is something I have been promoting to my biology students for the past five years,” said Dave Cox, LLCC professor of biology. “Kayleigh’s critical thinking skills will benefit her greatly during her internship this summer.”

“I was happy to recommend Anthony for this unique research internship focusing on phenotypic plasticity,” said Tony Rothering, LLCC professor of biology. “I have no doubt that the solid academic background he received at LLCC combined with his inquisitive nature will allow him to thrive in this position.”

Following LLCC, Ambrose plans to transfer to UIUC to pursue a biology major followed by graduate school on the east coast. Lamb plans to attend Southeast Missouri State University after graduating from LLCC. His career goal is in wildlife conservation and management. Both expressed excitement at pursuing their first research experience at UIUC and the opportunities it will present as they continue their education and biological careers.

Another LLCC biology student, Becky Rose, was chosen for the prestigious research internship at UIUC in 2019.

LLCC offers an associate degree in biology, with more information available at www.llcc.edu/biology.

04.15.22

Annual Farmers Share Luncheon next Wednesday

LLCC Agriculture’s annual Farmers Share Luncheon will be held Wednesday, April 20, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Trutter Center. Tickets are $1 each for the first 100 who request them. To secure your ticket, contact Bill Harmon, professor of agronomy, at 217-786-2573 or email bill.harmon@llcc.edu.

In addition to a meal, participants will enjoy an ag trivia contest with prizes. The purpose of the event is to illustrate the small share a farmer earns from the cost of a typical meal. 

04.14.22

Saving the bees!

Swarm of bees on apiaryDave Cox, professor of biology, discovered a swarm of bees on the side of hive #1 at the apiary located on the southeast edge of campus. According to Dave, “Swarms form when the population in a hive becomes too large or when a queen is failing and the hive decides to leave. Fortunately, I was able to collect the swarm and relocate it to my apiary until it becomes strong/big enough to move it back to the LLCC apiary.

“The large bee on the stick (far right) is the queen of the swarm. Once you have her the rest of the bees in the hive will follow her. Fortunately, I was able to catch her and move her into the box and the rest of the swarm followed.”

Swarm of bees on side of apiary four bees

04.13.22

LLCC Livestock Judging Contest

Many students gathered outside for the LLCC Livestock Judging Contest
Over 750 FFA and 4-H members from Illinois and Indiana participated in the 24th annual Lincoln Land Community College Livestock Judging Contest yesterday at the Christian County Fairgrounds in Taylorville. Over 100 high schools and 4-H clubs were represented. The contest was provided by the LLCC Livestock Judging Team and Agriculture Club.

Contestants judged nine classes of beef, swine, sheep and goats. They were evaluating the animals on their quality as either breeding stock or for meat. Livestock judging teaches students critical thinking skills, public speaking and can lead to collegiate scholarships.

WCIA reported on the event.

Cattle in show ring. Students watching.Goats in show ring. Students watchingSwine in show ring. Students watching.Sheep in show ring. Students watching

04.07.22

Demonstration at campus apiary site Friday, 11 a.m.; bee installation Saturday

Dave Cox, professor of biology, and members of Lincoln Land Beekeepers Association will conduct a demonstration 11 a.m. Friday on property located southeast of the LLCC soccer fields (address is 2321 West Lake Shore Dr.). There is one hive in the apiary that has overwintered and will be on display for visitors to learn about what happens in a beehive in early spring.

The following day, Saturday, April 9, at noon, members of the Prairie State Beekeepers Association and Professor Cox will install new bees into the hives and be on site to explain the process. Students and members of the LLCC community are welcome to witness the installation, which should take about 45 minutes.

04.06.22

Lanphier dual credit students visit campus

Kim Wilson with Lanphier High School dual credit students
Birds, science experiments and snakes … it was a day of hands-on learning for Lanphier High School dual credit students! The Advanced Biology class taught by Laura Bohlen visited LLCC and learned about the bird banding process, collected water samples from Lake Macoupin and tested the samples in a lab. A few brave students even held a snake! The day’s activities were coordinated by Becky Croteau, professor of biology, and Vern Keen volunteered at the bird banding station.

Students looking at banded birdBird taking flight from a student's handStudent sampling water out of Lake MacoupinStudents analyzing water sampleStudents holding a snake

03.24.22

LLCC Agriculture Club wins awards at national PAS conference

Photo of 12 LLCC ag club students who competed in the national PAS conference

Back row, L-R: Fuller Anderson, Luke Adams, Wyatt Buckles, Shawn Goebel, Jacob Peters, Charlie Gum, Clayton Walch. Front row, L-R: Morgan Black, Elizabeth Lee, Mackenzie Harmon, Kylie Schakel, Meadow Sporrer.

Twelve LLCC Agriculture Club members competed at the National Professional Agriculture Student (PAS) Conference held March 16-19 in Minneapolis, Minn. with more than 450 college students from across the country. The contests are designed to test their knowledge and readiness for their future careers.

The LLCC swine specialist team of Morgan Black (Springfield), Jacob Peters (New Berlin) and Mackenzie Harmon (Morrisonville) placed second overall. Black also placed second individually.

The college bowl team of Peters, Kylie Schakel (Springfield), Luke Adams (Athens), Clayton Walch (Raymond), Harmon and Fuller Anderson (Atwater) placed third for the second year in a row. Also placing third was the LLCC sheep specialist team of Schakel, Adams and Elizabeth Lee (Springfield).

The soil specialist team of Walch, Meadow Sporrer (Springfield) and Anderson placed fourth. Walch also placed third individually. LLCC’s crop specialist team took seventh place. Team members were Shawn Goebel (Harvel), Wyatt Buckles (Mechanicsburg) and Charlie Gum (Petersburg).

In the employment interview competition, Walch, Adams and Lee won first place in their divisions. Schakel placed second, and Anderson placed eighth.

Harmon earned second place honors in the agriculture education teaching event.

PAS is a career and technical student organization for college students interested in agriculture. In addition to competitive events, the national conference provides an opportunity for students to attend leadership and career development workshops.

03.14.22

Volunteer orientation for bird banders March 23

Bird being held at bird banding stationInformational Session: March 23, 6:30 p.m., Trutter Center

The Lincoln Land Association of Bird Banders (LLABB) is looking for new friends to find out more about us and encourage current volunteers to discover new opportunities to assist us in our mission. Please join us for an informational session about what we do and how you can help. We have needs for all skill levels, so all are welcome, no experience needed!

Treats will be provided.

For more information, find us on Facebook or email tony.rothering@llcc.edu.