Kylie Schakel, a sophomore from Indiana in LLCC’s ag transfer program competed at last weeks Illinois Collegiate Farm Bureau Discussion Meet in Bloomington. In the event, students research four possible topics relating to the current ag industry. They then present their suggestions on how to solve the issues in a round table format with other students. Schakel made it to the finals, where she placed third overall. She is a member of the LLCC Livestock Judging Team, LLCC Ag Club where she serves as secretary and Illinois PAS as a vice president. She plans on transferring to study ag business and policy after LLCC.
Bill Harmon, professor of agriculture, recently received his 25-year award from the Illinois Association of Community College Agriculture Instructors. In the photo, he is accepting the award from IACCAI president and LLCC graduate Jess Smithers at the annual conference.
LLCC Agriculture s hosting the Illinois FFA State Ag Sales Contest on Nov. 19 and needs a few more judges.
Teams start the event off by looking at a scenario and developing questions to ask the customer to gather information. The second part of the event involves the students to complete an individual practicum where they receive a scenario and ask questions to identify which product to sell the customer. Judges are needed in each of these areas.
We will have a judges meeting at 8:15 a.m. in Kreher 1115 with the first team starting at 8:50 a.m. The event will conclude by 4 p.m., and lunch is provided by Mission BBQ.
Please email Bill Harmon if you are interested in helping or have questions.
We welcome 150 high school students to campus today for the Ag Career Expo! The event showcases the many job opportunities available in agriculture by bringing together interested high school students with educational resources.
Ground was broken yesterday for a new 36’ X 72’ greenhouse to be located behind the Kreher Agriculture Center. After the foundation is laid, the greenhouse itself will arrive as a “kit” to be assembled. It will be used for horticulture and ag classes and is being funded through the Kreher Charitable Trust. It is hoped the greenhouse will be open for spring classes.
Photo: Speaking at a press conference today about LLCC’s $5 million training grant were L-R: Don Schaefer, executive vice president, Mid-West Truckers Association; Dan Smith, vice president of product support, Roland Machinery Co.; Charlotte Warren, Ph.D., president, LLCC; Ken Elmore, chair, LLCC Board of Trustees; and Christopher McDowell, M.D., associate professor and chair, Department of Emergency Medicine, SIU School of Medicine.
Responding to an urgent community need for more paramedics, emergency medical technicians (EMTs), truck drivers, diesel mechanics and agriculture specialists, LLCC will renovate and expand its training facilities with the help of a $5 million federal grant.
The expanded facilities will allow student capacity in these programs to grow and remain on the cutting edge of curriculum, producing trained workers ready to fill local, in-demand jobs.
The grant was awarded to LLCC by the U.S. Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration.
“We’re excited to announce the receipt of a large grant that will allow us to positively impact the workforce of our local communities in critical areas of need,” said Ken Elmore, chair of the LLCC Board of Trustees, at a press conference today.
LLCC President Charlotte Warren, Ph.D., announced that the funds will be used to:
Renovate the east wing of Logan Hall for an expanded emergency services training facility, purchase a working ambulance and state-of-the-art equipment and simulators, allowing more than 400 students to enroll each year in EMT, Advanced EMT and Paramedic training programs.
Expand the truck driver training lot and purchase a new tractor and trailer, allowing for an additional 90 new students for a total of 251 students annually
Renovate a lab in the Workforce Careers Center to house and equip a new diesel technologies program. The first class will admit 20 next fall for this two-year program, adding cohorts after that.
Construct a large storage facility adjacent to the truck driver training lot to house heavy equipment for agriculture and diesel technologies programs, along with the new ambulance for emergency services. As these programs grow, the college will continue to offer the latest from the industry for students.
“Every time an ambulance arrives late to a call, the urgent need for additional paramedics and EMTs becomes more apparent,” said Christopher McDowell, M.D., chair of emergency medicine at SIU School of Medicine. “Expanding LLCC’s emergency services program is critical in increasing the supply of EMS providers to serve the citizens of our communities.”
“We applaud the expansion of LLCC’s truck driver training program to address the continuing shortage of workers to fill positions in our industry,” commented Don Schaefer, executive vice president, Mid-West Truckers Association. “There are currently more than 1,700 good-paying jobs open for truck drivers in the LLCC district, and quality training is the first step toward filling them with safe and dependable drivers.”
Meanwhile, the need for mechanics to service and repair diesel engines is also acute.
“There is a significant need for diesel technicians in our field, which includes the construction, agriculture and trucking industries,” said Dan Smith, vice president of product support for Roland Machinery Co., headquartered in Springfield. “Last week there were 427 open positions within 100 miles of Springfield for diesel technicians. These are high wage positions that can also lead to career advancement in parts and service management. We’re pleased and excited that LLCC will be training new diesel technicians and look forward to hiring their graduates.”
Yesterday’s press conference took place as the future of the local workforce, over 500 area high school students, attended LLCC’s first Workforce Careers Expo, where they had the opportunity to visit local employers’ displays and learn about job opportunities in the trades.
Tony Rothering, professor of biology, was interviewed by the Journal News following a bird banding demonstration at Bremer Wildlife Sanctuary near Hillsboro Sept. 17.
Last week members of the Prairie State and Lincoln Land Beekeepers Associations were on hand demonstrating the process of honey extraction from the beehives at the West Lake Nature Grove. Once the honey supers were removed, they moved to the Kreher Agriculture Center for a demonstration on how to extract the honey from the frames. Participants helped with the extraction process and sampled the raw honey.
Thanks to Chris McDonald, Ph.D., professor of political science, for sharing the following photos from the event.
Today (rain or shine), members of the Prairie State and Lincoln Land Beekeepers Associations will be on hand demonstrating the process of honey extraction from the beehives at the West Lake Nature Grove, 2321 West Lake Shore Drive, Springfield.
Honey super removal will start at 10 a.m. Participants are encouraged to wear appropriate protective gear. At minimum long pants and a long-sleeved shirt are required. A bee suit and veil are ideal during this portion of the demonstration. There will be a limited number of suits and veils available for participants to borrow on a first-come, first-served basis. Participants, without protective gear, can also observe from a safe distance away from the hives.
Once the honey supers are removed, we will move to the Kreher Agriculture Center, Room 1131 for a demonstration on how to extract the honey from the frames. Protective gear is not required for this portion of the event. Participants will be allowed to help with the extraction process and sample the raw honey.
The talk on climate change that Samantha Reif, professor of geology, provided in May is now available on the Illinois State Museum’s YouTube channel. In “Climate Change Through the Ages” she explores how the climate changed naturally in the past millions of years, what our current understanding of this change is and how the current change is different.
Kylie Schakel, a sophomore from Indiana in LLCC’s ag transfer program competed at last weeks Illinois Collegiate Farm Bureau Discussion Meet in Bloomington. In the event, students research four possible topics relating to the current ag industry. They then present their suggestions on how to solve the issues in a round table format with other students. Schakel made it to the finals, where she placed third overall. She is a member of the LLCC Livestock Judging Team, LLCC Ag Club where she serves as secretary and Illinois PAS as a vice president. She plans on transferring to study ag business and policy after LLCC.
Photo: Speaking at a press conference today about LLCC’s $5 million training grant were L-R: Don Schaefer, executive vice president, Mid-West Truckers Association; Dan Smith, vice president of product support, Roland Machinery Co.; Charlotte Warren, Ph.D., president, LLCC; Ken Elmore, chair, LLCC Board of Trustees; and Christopher McDowell, M.D., associate professor and chair, Department of Emergency Medicine, SIU School of Medicine.
Last week members of the Prairie State and Lincoln Land Beekeepers Associations were on hand demonstrating the process of honey extraction from the beehives at the West Lake Nature Grove. Once the honey supers were removed, they moved to the Kreher Agriculture Center for a demonstration on how to extract the honey from the frames. Participants helped with the extraction process and sampled the raw honey.
