When most people think of agriculture, they picture tractors, cows and endless fields of corn. I used to think that way too, until I found myself standing in a hazelnut orchard in Italy, tasting freshly crushed hazelnut spread and listening to a farmer explain how pests and diseases are changing the way his family works the land.
I didn’t grow up on a farm. I was raised just outside Staunton, a small town in southern Illinois. My only early exposure to agriculture came during visits to my grandparents’ farm. But everything shifted in seventh grade when I joined the Illinois Association FFA. That’s where I discovered that agriculture wasn’t just about farming. It was about leadership, innovation, service and building community. It was the first time I felt like I truly belonged somewhere.
Since then, agriculture has become more than just a curiosity. It’s something I’m passionate about. During my senior year of high school, I served as the Illinois Association FFA Section 15 president, which confirmed my decision to pursue a career in agriculture. I enrolled in the agriculture transfer program at Lincoln Land Community College, where I’ve been learning about the many different faces of the industry for the past year.
This past spring, I had the opportunity to travel to Italy with 28 of my classmates as a part of LLCC’s agriculture program. For some of us, it was our first flight or even our first time outside the country. We explored farms, tasted local food and saw how agriculture operates on a global scale. This trip opened my eyes — not just to how different things can be, but to how much we all have in common when it comes to caring for the land and feeding people.
Throughout the tour, we visited Rome, Tuscany, Siena and Florence. Just outside Rome, we toured the Maccarese farm, a large-scale operation that combines grain, fodder crop and vegetable cultivation with dairy cow breeding and production. The farm also runs two biogas plants, giving us a firsthand look at how renewable energy can be integrated into farming.
In Tuscany, we visited La Fescennina, a family-operated organic farm that specializes in hazelnuts. We learned about their planting and harvesting techniques and how they became the first double-certified producer and processor of organic Roman hazelnuts. That was where I realized how much science, history and care go into something most of us take for granted.
We also visited Costruzioni Macchine Agricole, Italy’s leading designer and manufacturer of agricultural machinery, and in Florence, we toured Podere Il Casale, a sustainable farm and Pecorino cheese producer. There, we learned about the processes used to make traditional Italian cheeses and the importance of sustainability in every aspect of production.
The tour also included stops at historic landmarks such as the Roman Colosseum, the Vatican, Sistine Chapel, Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore and Ponte Vecchio.
Agriculture today is more than planting and harvesting. It’s about research, sustainability, communication and technology. It’s about finding new ways to solve problems and serve others. It includes research and development to improve crop yields and to protect against pests and diseases. Scientists and agronomists work behind the scenes to develop sustainable practices, enhance soil health and create more resilient food systems. Beyond the field, agriculture also involves logistics, marketing, education and policy. Professionals in these areas help connect farmers with consumers, advocate for agricultural interests and educate the public about food systems. Technology plays a growing role as well, with precision agriculture, data analysis and automation transforming how farms operate. Agriculture is a dynamic, multifaceted industry.
Through my time at LLCC, I’ve grown in all these areas, and I’ve seen just how wide-reaching and important this industry really is. As I enter my sophomore year, I’m more motivated than ever to be part of this industry’s future. Agriculture isn’t just something I study. It’s something I’m proud to be a part of, and I’m excited to see where it takes me next.
The LLCC Agriculture program utilizes the latest techniques and technology, land labs and travel experiences to prepare students for a successful career in agriculture and/or university transfer through degrees and certificates in agriculture, agribusiness, precision agronomy/custom application, and horticulture and cultivation. More information is available at www.llcc.edu/agriculture.
Registration is open for the fall semester at LLCC. Weekday classes begin Monday, Aug. 25. To learn more about getting started, visit www.llcc.edu/become-a-student.