Highland Community College’s Agriculture program continues to grow with the addition of an irrigation system this summer at the institution’s Research Plots — and broke ground on a new pump house on Wednesday, Aug. 7, 2024.
Highland Agriculture is supported by numerous public and private partnerships. Illinois Senator Andrew Chesney helped Highland obtain an Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) grant for $150,000, and those funds comprised the lead gift in a fundraising effort that has netted more than $600,000 so far through the Highland Foundation’s Legacy Campaign, local bonds and community members’ contributions.
“Through the generosity of donors and supporters such as Senator Chesney, Highland continues to invest in our academic programs and support services to ensure that we are providing a quality education and exceptional learning experience for our students,” said Highland President Chris Kuberski. “The sub-irrigation system and related pump house are a multi-layered project to enhance and expand our Agriculture program. This project positions us to be the Agriculture hub of Northwest Illinois, which is our ultimate goal.”
The new pump house, which will include an upstairs meeting space, is phase one for developing the 15-acre research plots further, and will serve as a central operation hub for the new sub-irrigation system installed across the research plots. A second adjacent building to the pump house will provide additional room to house farm equipment. Together, these facilities will result in more experiential spaces for Highland students to learn and conduct field work with instructors.
“We are very excited about this project. It is a key phase to our overall plan for our Agriculture program, specifically the underground irrigation system,” said Scott Anderson, Vice President, Business, Technology and Community Programs. “I look forward to the building being completed this fall and the fully functional irrigation system for next year’s crop studies.”
The DCEO grant was secured by Chesney while he served in the Illinois House of Representatives. Chesney was elected to the Illinois Senate in late 2022 and said he is pleased to see the results of the grant coming to fruition.
“This investment in agriculture in Northwest Illinois was led by Senator Chesney,” said Highland Foundation Director Dan Dick. “These public funds he secured from the State of Illinois, combined with private support from the Legacy Campaign, has created an investment of hundreds of thousands of dollars into Highland Agriculture.”
Dick continued: “The estate of Steve Switzer has also played a transformative role as we bring the first community college sub-irrigation system online later this year. This visionary concept utilizing public-private partnership will greatly benefit educational opportunities for students.”
Photo: Left to Right: HCC Agriculture Instructor Justin Ebert, HCC Board of Trustees Chair Jim Endress, HCC President Christina Kuberski, and State Senator Andrew Chesney break ground at the Highland Agriculture Research Plot for a new building at the site west of Freeport. Photo: Highland Community College,