Illinois Central College and USDA-NRCS Partner to Advance
Agricultural Innovation
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[June 16, 2020]
Illinois Central College and eight other
Midwestern community colleges in the Community College Alliance for
Agriculture Advancement (C2A3) will receive a portion of a combined
$529,924 over the next four years as part of a cooperative agreement
issued by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources
Conservation Service (USDA-NRCS).
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ICC has a strong history of pioneering research within a robust
ag program. According to the C2A3 website, “ICC’s agricultural
program takes the forefront of research and outreach for the
agricultural community, both locally and at the state level,
with unparalleled research in the areas of sustainability and
water quality...” The consortium was developed with the USDA-NRCS
and USDA North Central Sustainable Agriculture Research and
Education (USDA-SARE) and will strive to ensure quality
education and training of field practitioners.
“This first-ever community college research grant from NRCS is
very exciting. Our students and local agriculture community will
now benefit from research being conducted by Illinois Central
College’s first-rate agriculture faculty,” said ICC President
Dr. Sheila Quirk-Bailey. “We look forward to a growing
partnership and improved outcomes for our regional farmers.”
A key component of the USDA-NRCS agreement is hands-on research
and learning in the field utilizing college land resources to
expand best practices. For example, last summer ICC constructed
a wetland on its demonstration farm at the East Peoria Campus.
ICC ag students are now able to conduct field trials on water
conservation at on-campus research plots, the demonstration farm
and the wetland.
“The partnership between our college and NRCS
will help fund the water testing from the wetland so we can
produce solid, scientific data on how well wetlands reduce
nutrient loss,” said ICC Agriculture Professor Pete Fandel. “I’m
confident this will lead to substantial advancement in water
quality and soil-health research within our area.”
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The framework of the agreement will enhance and
accelerate training and adoption of technologies and best practices
for improved agricultural productivity through cooperative
activities. While collaborating on applied research projects for
student learning, member institutions will partner with one another
to share resources, faculty expertise, curriculum, and tools to
advance the future of agricultural productivity. Information will
also be disseminated to the broader community through field days and
other college events and partnerships.
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Illinois State Conservationist Ivan Dozier said “NRCS sees these new
agreements as an excellent opportunity to build awareness, improve
technical skills, and strengthen our shared ability to secure soil
resources for agriculture here in Illinois and across the Midwest.”
[Kayla Thompson
Lead Coordinator,
Communications & Media Relations] |