Students from Parkland’s agriculture department took a trip to Gifford, Illinois for the Midwest Ag Expo on Wednesday. The event, held yearly in the Gordyville USA Arena, hosts over 175 exhibitors and takes place over two days. Vendors fill the arena with tables and displays that are dwarfed by the massive pieces of farm equipment which sparkle with display lights.
(Photo by Alicia Buskirk)
Members of Phi Alpha Chi, also known as the Parkland Ag Club, were there to represent the college. Agriculture Club President Maygan Durbin said, “It’s a great opportunity to get our name out there. We have new programs we’re excited about.”
The Advanced Applicator Technician degree is one such program. Applicator technicians apply pesticides, herbicides, fungicides, or insecticides to crops through various means. This new degree prepares students for an in-demand position in the agriculture industry. Some District 505 high schools such as Leroy and St. Joseph-Ogden offer dual credit agriculture courses that can transfer to the degree.
“Dual enrollment gives an opportunity for high school students to earn college credit before they even graduate,” Durbin said.
Parkland students returned to the Midwest Ag Expo on Thursday, January 27th.