Inspiring the next generation of agricultural leaders

When students walk into one of Bill Harmon’s agriculture classes at Lincoln Land Community College, they’re greeted with enthusiasm, curiosity and a deep passion for teaching. Harmon, who has spent more than half his life at LLCC as either a student or faculty member, embodies what the college stands for: opportunity, community and a pathway to meaningful careers. “LLCC is a tremendous part of who I am,” he says — and countless students would say the same because of him.

Harmon grew up on a hog, corn and soybean farm near Morrisonville. He enjoyed working with people, appreciated the ag industry and knew he wanted to be part of it. He came to LLCC to explore that interest, first in agricultural communication and later in animal sciences. It was his high school ag teacher who steered him toward agricultural education — a move that opened doors he’d never imagined.

After completing his studies at LLCC, Harmon transferred to the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign to earn a degree in agricultural education, later beginning a master’s program in agronomy. He taught high school agriculture in Morrisonville for seven years before joining LLCC in 1997 as an agronomy instructor. 

At LLCC, Harmon revitalized the agriculture club, introduced students to the national Professional Agricultural Student (PAS) organization and competitions, and built a department culture rooted in support and exploration. He’s watched the program grow in remarkable ways — especially with the transformative $18 million Kreher gift, which expanded scholarships and provided experiential learning opportunities, including domestic and international travel such as the 2025 week-long agricultural industry tour in Italy. LLCC’s land labs also play a pivotal role in shaping students’ hands on agricultural skills, giving them a real-world environment to apply what they learn in the classroom. 

Harmon often jokes that he’s a “soil nerd.” His deep enthusiasm for the subject has helped build LLCC’s long-standing dominance in soil related competitions at state and national levels. LLCC Soil Specialist Teams consistently place among the top performers, with one team earning first place and another placing third at the 2025 National PAS Conference — marking the sixth time LLCC has won the national soils contest.

Harmon has earned the Bill Johnson Excellence in Education Award and the Golden Owl Award for his impact on agricultural education, yet he remains focused on students’ success rather than his own accolades. He loves seeing students have eureka moments, when concepts suddenly click and they understand why the material matters. 

For future students, Harmon emphasizes LLCC’s strengths: passionate faculty, hands-on resources, strong advising and a supportive community where students thrive. “LLCC gets you closer to your success — whatever that may be,” he says. “Whether you’re from a farm, a suburb or a city, agriculture has space for your talents. And LLCC will help you find your path. Ag has a place for you, and so does LLCC.”