Farmers and Agricultural Professionals Learn About Growing Trends and Technology

Farmers and agricultural professionals recently gathered at the USDA lab in Peoria to learn about new industry trends and technological advancements in agriculture. The session was designed to help attendees with land management, crop diversification, and expanding their agricultural portfolio to identify new opportunities for growth and profitability.

One of the experts present at the session was agricultural professor Pete Fande from Illinois Central College, who shared that there is a growing trend of students showing interest in agriculture, even those without a farm background. To meet this rising demand, the professor and his colleagues are exploring innovative ways to educate students about the latest trends and technological advancements in the industry.

The agricultural industry is crucial to the state of Illinois, with 27 million acres of farmland and one in five jobs related to agriculture. As technology rapidly advances, farmers and agricultural professionals must stay updated on the latest industry trends to optimize their yields and maintain profitability.

With the growing trend of students entering the industry without a farm background, agricultural education has had to adapt its educational process. In response, Illinois Central College has implemented a working lab space on 70 acres of tillable land to provide students with hands-on experience using modern farm machinery.

This unique educational approach provides students with an opportunity to gain practical skills and prepare for the latest trends and technological advancements in the industry.

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