October 18, 2024

LLCC students study ag in Ireland

Lincoln Land Community College students on the ag industry tour of Ireland were Pierce Gwinn (front row from left), Logan Armstrong, Liz Hayden, Peri Andras, Shaylee Maddox, Morgan Black, Grace McCurdy, Kaitlyn Zeedyk, Kylie Schakel, Maggie McClelland, Maycee Cordes and Caedyn Finneran; Matt Crow (middle row from left), Wyatt Mahoney, Mallory Bowers, Genesis Stockton, Hadley Broadwater, Morgan Edwards, Elisabeth Lee, Natalie Lavin, Lizzy Hoppe, Brittany Slightom, Luke Adams, Blaine Gilley, George Jacaway IV and Wes Bland; and Cole Repscher (back row from left), Alex Sidener, Will Jenkins and Klayton Komnick.

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Thirty Lincoln Land Community College students participated in a 10-day agricultural industry tour in Ireland.

Tour stops included Kilkenny Mart to watch a sheep and dairy cow sale, visits to local farmers’ beef and dairy operations, and Castlecor Potatoes where a father-and-son team showcased their farm and packaging facility for potatoes and onions.

Students had the opportunity to see Macroom Buffalo, which is the only water buffalo milk farm in Ireland, watched as the buffalo came in for milking and sampled the farm’s cheese products.

Students also visited Fernville Connemara Pony Stud, which specializes in the Connemara Pony Breed, and toured an aquaculture company dedicated to the cultivation of abalone.

The trip also included visits to iconic locations and historic sites including the Ring of Kerry, the Cliffs of Moher, Rock of Cashel, the Blarney Atone at Blarney Castle, Clonmacnoise and EPIC — the Irish Emigration Museum.

The immersive and educational experience totaled over 1,000 miles and allowed students to see agricultural, cultural and historical sites in Ireland.

The LLCC Agriculture study abroad experience was made possible by the Kreher Agricultural Trust.

Participating students by hometown:

• Athens — Luke Adams and Wyatt Mahoney.

• Atlanta — Kylie Schakel.

• Auburn — Klayton Komnick.

• Bucyrus, Ohio — Liz Hayden.

• Buffalo — Morgan Edwards.

• Chatham — Caedyn Finneran.

• Crawfordsville, Ind. — Hadley Broadwater.

• Darlington, Wis. — Morgan Black.

• Eldred — Wes Bland.

• Franklin — Matt Crow.

• Hettick — Logan Armstrong.

• Hicksville, Ohio — Kaitlyn Zeedyk.

• Lafayette, Ind. — Mallory Bowers.

• Manchester — Peri Andras.

• Marion, Ohio — Grace McCurdy.

• Pawnee — Natalie Lavin.

• Pleasant Plains — Elisabeth Lee.

• Raymond — Will Jenkins, Maggie McClelland and Brittany Slightom.

• Rochester — Alex Sidener.

• Springfield — Maycee Cordes, Blaine Gilley, George Jacaway IV and Genesis Stockton.

• Taylorville — Cole Repscher.

• Thomas, Okla. — Shaylee Maddox.

• Virden — Pierce Gwinn.

• Warrensburg — Lizzy Hoppe.

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