Kishwaukee College was selected as one of six community colleges in Illinois to receive a Compeer Financial Agriculture & Rural Initiative Grant, which will provide financial support for technology improvements in the College’s greenhouse facility.
The Kishwaukee College Foundation, which applied for the grant, was awarded $75,000 to help fund technology and equipment upgrades in the greenhouse as part of upcoming planned renovations. The greenhouse, built in 1973, will soon see an additional classroom and improvements to the building’s heating, cooling, electrical and plumbing. The grant from Compeer will supplement technology upgrades for the overall project, which is funded through State and College funds. Kish received an additional $220,000 state grant from the Illinois Capital Development Board for the greenhouse renovations.
Work on the greenhouse will begin in June and is expected to be completed in September. The renovations will enhance hands-on learning and real-world experience for Kish students enrolled in Horticulture or Agriculture programs.
“Technology improvements to the greenhouse will allow Kish to continue providing exceptional opportunities for our students who are focusing on agriculture-related fields,” said Chase Budziak, Dean of Instruction. “The renovations are an important step in giving our programs room to grow and advance with changes in the horticulture industry.”
In addition to the grant from Compeer, the Foundation will receive $2,500 a year for the next five years to fund scholarships for students enrolled in the College’s agriculture pathways. Kish was selected based on its agricultural education offerings, agriculture workforce development and geographic impact. The College offers a variety of agriculture-related programs, including Agribusiness, Horticulture, Precision Agriculture, Diesel Power Technology and more.
In January, Compeer Financial announced it would commit $1.9 million in grants and scholarships over the next five years to further develop the agricultural workforce. Kish was one of 14 colleges in Illinois, Minnesota and Wisconsin to receive funding in the first rounds of grants.
“Our partners in higher education provide opportunities for young adults in rural communities every day, and we hope this support will enhance those training programs to prepare them for a successful future in agriculture,” said Roger Newell, a Compeer Financial Director.
Compeer Financial is a member-owned Farm Credit cooperative serving and supporting agriculture and rural communities in Illinois, Minnesota and Wisconsin. The Agriculture and Rural Initiative was created by the Compeer Financial Board of Directors to make investments in programs and projects that directly address the needs of farmers and others who work in agriculture.
To learn more about Kish, visit www.kish.edu. To learn more about Compeer Financial’s Agriculture and Rural Initiative, visit www.compeer.com.