INA, Ill. (September 6, 2022) — Rend Lake College Agriculture Students spent a day in the field to learn about rotational grazing from Ernie Duckworth, a longtime Franklin County Grass Farmer. 

Franklin County Grass Farmer, Ernie Duckworth, teaches RLC Ag students about rotational grazing. 
(Click for Printable Image)

RLC Ag Instructor, Ed Billingsley, organized the day for students to get hands-on experience and additional exposure to the Ag industry outside the classroom. "The students got to go to the Duckworth Farm on the East Side of Benton," Bilingsley stated. " It is important to give students opportunities like these because they get to witness a true ag experience. It is not just talking about something but seeing it in action. The students enjoyed the demonstration and were very attentive and respectful." 

RLC was recently awarded a grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) for the next generation of farmers and ranchers.

Rend Lake College Agriculture Students learn about rotational grazing from Franklin County Grass Farmer Ernie Duckworth.
(Click for Printable Image)

"Workshop opportunities, like the rotational grazing experience, support the goals of the NIFA grant," said RLC Dean of Applied Science & Advanced Technology Dr. Gabrielle Farner. "We aim to provide participants who are interested in agriculture with resources that will help in the daily management and operations of farms and ranches." 

The RLC Advancement of Beginning Farmers will help local participants start their farming journey.

 

For more information about the program, contact:
Dr. Gabriele Farner
Dean of Applied Science & Technology
618-437-5321 Ext. 1292
[email protected]

 

---