Agriculture Programs

To meet the demands of an evolving agricultural field in which jobs require advanced training, the Agriculture Program at Black Hawk College East Campus offers a variety of career and transfer programs. These programs include study in the areas of Agribusiness Management, Agriculture Mechanics, Agriculture Production Technology, Agriculture Transfer, Horse Science Technology, and Equestrian Science.

Facilities provided include the Agriculture Center at East Campus, the only facility of its kind on a community college campus in Illinois, which serves as a laboratory for student learning. Classrooms, stalls, wash rack, equipment rooms and indoor as well as outdoor arenas provide a central focus for all agriculture programs. Located on campus is a greenhouse supporting horticulture and agronomy instruction. In addition, soils, crops, horticulture and agriculture mechanics laboratories on campus give students the opportunity to learn important technical skills associated with agricultural business and industry.

With its strong emphasis on education for employment preparation, the Agriculture Program offers students opportunities for on-the-job training with agriculturally oriented businesses located within the immediate area, across the state, and throughout the nation. Students receive academic credit for their work and gain valuable information and insight into on-the-job demands.

A top priority of the Agriculture Program is to maintain high quality academic standards. In addition, major emphasis is put on the development of the individual outside the classroom. Students enrolled in the Agriculture Program are invited to become active members of the Agribusiness Club. Social, recreational, professional and leadership development are some of the primary objectives of the group available at local, state and national levels. Graduates of the East Campus agriculture programs are encouraged to continue their involvement through the Agribusiness Club Alumni.

Other activities include judging teams in the areas of livestock, horses, dairy, crops, soils and horticulture. Students participate on a local, state and national level in agricultural scholastic bowls, job interview competitions in several areas of employment, discussion meets, computer skills contests and public speaking contests.

A cooperative agreement with the adjacent community college districts allows students in those districts to enroll in Black Hawk College East Campus agriculture programs and pay the College in-district tuition rate (see Tuition and Fees ). Additionally, the Horse Science Technology and Equestrian Science programs are approved as statewide programs. This allows any Illinois resident to enroll in the programs and pay the Black Hawk College rate of tuition.

Programs

Degree

Career Certificate