LLCC officials broke ground yesterday on a new building for the study of agriculture. LLCC Board Chair Wayne Rosenthal announced that the new structure on the east edge of campus will be named the Kreher Agriculture Center, in honor of the late Charles and Irene Kreher.

The 19,750-square-foot, $7.5 million building is being funded by annual distributions from the Kreher Farm Perpetual Charitable Trust to the LLCC Foundation and is expected to open in the spring semester of 2021.

“This cutting-edge facility will feature state-of-the-art classrooms and laboratories, student gathering spaces and a spacious, glassed-in expo area for ag simulators,” said Rosenthal. “The building will incorporate technology and active learning to prepare students for success in the 21st century workplace.”

LLCC President Charlotte Warren, Ph.D., expressed excitement for the next step: a new facility. “But even more important are the people who will work and learn here. We have outstanding faculty and staff in our agriculture program. Our agriculture students are active and top notch. They continually bring home awards and recognitions that make us proud.”

LLCC Ag Club President Skye Kretzinger commented on the importance of the occasion. “Today is a major day for all of those who have, are or are going to be attending LLCC as an agriculture student. This new building signifies change and our future of agriculturists. Throughout this new building, students will be learning to become our next agronomists, animal nutritionists, land surveyors and much more; they will be becoming the future of agriculture.”

Also participating in the groundbreaking were LLCC Board of Trustee members Ken Elmore, vice chair; Gordon Gates, secretary; Dr. Vicki Davis; Craig Findley; Jeff Fulgenzi; and Student Trustee Aaliyah Kissick.

Unveiling the architectural rendering of the new building were Don Wienhoff, trustee of the Kreher Charitable Trust, along with trust representatives Bob Stuart and Larry Hardy, and Wyatt Banks, Professional Agricultural Student representative.

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