November 14, 2024

Technology centerpiece of new ag center

By Tom C. Doran

A large, glassed-in simulation lab greets visitors at the main entrance. The lab features a combine simulator, sprayer simulator, drones, augmented reality sand table, welding simulator and drone simulator. (AgriNews photo/Tom C. Doran)

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — The Kreher Agriculture Center at Lincoln Land Community College opens the door to a myriad of new opportunities for students.

The 19,750-square-foot center that opened May 6 houses state-of-the-art classrooms, laboratories and student gathering spaces designed to promote active learning with hands-on research, problem solving and group activities.

Built using “green” energy design principles, the center utilizes natural lighting and geothermal heating and cooling. Decorative elements connect the past to the present, including reclaimed wood from a Sangamon County barn on several walls and “logs” used as informal tables, footstools and seats.

Following the ribbon-cutting ceremony, LLCC faculty, staff and students provided tours of the facility.

The center’s technology arena will accommodate computer-aided design-based landscape design, precision agriculture and computer application classes. Students can view a “scoreboard” from anywhere in the room, and instructors can bring student screens up for all to see and discuss. (AgriNews photo/Tom C. Doran)

Evelyn Brandt Thomas (seated) visits with students at Soils Lab in the new Kreher Agriculture Center. The lab was made possible through her generosity in memory of her husband, the late Gordon Reich Thomas. Evelyn and her brother, Glen, co-founded then-Brandt Fertilizer, now Brandt Consolidated. Gordon was co-owner of Brandt Consolidated. (AgriNews photo/Tom C. Doran)

The Animal Science Pavilion is designed to be a multiuse, flexible space. Animal pens can be set-up for an animal science class. Smaller machinery can be brought in for class activities, and horticulture classes can build and grow an indoor landscape bed year-round. (AgriNews photo/Tom C. Doran)

Along with classrooms, the center also features office space and small and large meeting rooms to allow LLCC to host a variety of groups including Illinois FFA, the Illinois Professional Agriculture Students organization, Farm Bureau, Soil and Water Conservation Districts and others for meetings, seminars, contests and conferences.

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Tom Doran

Tom C. Doran

Field Editor