Agricultural Sciences
Office: A-1019 Phone: (815) 729-9020 ext 2320
Chair:
Dr. Jim Ethridge
JJC's
Agriculture Department has a longstanding tradition of providing a
practical, quality education for students and community members. JJC began
the first-ever agriculture program offered by an Illinois community college
in 1954. Since then, the department has evolved into four programs,
agriculture business, agriculture and production management, swine
management and agriculture transfer, serving more than 200 students each
year. Students who would like full-time employment following graduation can
expect four to eight job opportunities from which to choose. Those who
transfer to a four-year institution will find that JJC credits are accepted
nationwide.
In addition to hands-on learning in many laboratory classes on campus, JJC's
agriculture programs include a major on-the-job training component which
makes up nearly 25 percent of the credit required for the Associate in Applied
Science Degree. Students are placed in full-time internships (with pay)
nationwide and are supervised regularly on site by JJC staff.
JJC's 100-acre, on-campus J.F. Richards Land Laboratory: Demonstration and
Research Farm contributes another practical component to students--education
by providing the opportunity to actively observe and participate in on-farm
research and demonstration trials. The Agriculture Department also boasts an
active Student Agriculture Association and a nationally recognized Livestock
Judging Team.
Agriculture students hail from within the district, throughout Illinois and
even outside of the state. For the convenience of these students, JJC now
has on-campus housing.
SPECIAL FEATURES
STUDENT AGRICULTURE ASSOCIATION
The Student Agriculture Association is a post-secondary agriculture student
organization (PAS). JJC is an active member of the Illinois and National
PAS. Its mission is to provide opportunities for individual growth,
leadership and career preparation. JJC AG students have the chance to
compete in contests, attend leadership conferences and hold state and
national offices. Students travel nationwide with expenses paid by JJC.
Participation in PAS makes students more competitive for scholarships and
employment opportunities.
The association hosts many activities for students in which they may
participate throughout the academic year. The Annual Fall Get Acquainted
Picnic takes place at nearby Inwood Park and gives students a chance to
socialize, enjoy a game of softball and recognize scholarship winners. The
3-on-3 Basketball Tournaments are held twice a year and are just two of the
several social events sponsored by SAA/PAS. The Spring Livestock Judging
Contest brings in more than 25 4-H and FFA judging teams.
LIVESTOCK JUDGING TEAM
JJC's nationally competitive Livestock Judging Team competes in ALL
nationally sanctioned contests with all travel expenses paid. Team members
attend contests in Austin, MN, Madison, WI, Columbia City, IN, San
Francisco, CA, Kansas City, MO, Louisville, KY, Indianapolis, IN, Phoenix,
AZ, Denver, CO, Des Moines, IA, Houston, TX, and Fort Worth, TX.
For more information, contact Brad Angus at (815) 729-9020 ext 2272 or
bangus@jjc.edu.
