Spray simulators give students driving experience

CARBONDALE, Ill. — Students learn in a variety of ways and for some the best way is through hands-on activities.

The 550 high school and college ladies that attended the Women Changing the Face of Agriculture event hosted by Illinois Agri-Women had the opportunity to try a couple activities that may be part of their future career.

Four spray simulators were set up by FS Growmark to give the students an opportunity to learn about skills necessary for a custom applicator.

“This is like you are driving down the road,” said Maddie Wilson, student recruiter for FS Growmark, as she guided students during the simulation.

As they operated the sprayer, Wilson reminded the ladies to check the screens to the left and right to make sure there was no oncoming traffic.

This is not the first time Wilson has attended the annual career exploration event. She attended WCFA as a high school student and she volunteered as a social media intern while she was in college.

“I started in this position in November and our company participates in WCFA every year,” Wilson said.

“We take these sprayer simulators to colleges and high schools and they are a great way to get hands-on experience,” she said.

Wilson learned how to use the simulator the day before the WCFA conference.

“I learned I should not be an applicator or drive heavy machinery,” Wilson said.

“It took a team effort to get these put together, but we wanted to have as many girls try them as possible,” she said. “I know I would have loved something like this when I was in high school because getting to sit in a seat and press buttons is a great learning experience.”

Wilson’s dad farms in Champaign County and purchases his fuel from Illini FS.

“I knew I wanted to work in agriculture,” said Wilson, who graduated with a degree in agricultural communications from the University of Illinois.

“I recruit for all our internships so it’s a lot of traveling to career fairs,” she said. “I love meeting students and giving them opportunities I wish I would have had when I was in college.”