Spoon River College Agriculture

08/13/2025

05/09/2025

Associate Degree ☑️

Congratulations to our Spring 2025 graduates!

A note from Instructor Allyson Smith:

"As the semester comes to a close, I want to take a moment to recognize the incredible dedication, growth, and resilience shown by each of you. Watching your hard work pay off has been one of the most rewarding parts of my role as your instructor.

Whether you are heading into the field, continuing on to a university, or still trying to figure it out, I hope you carry with you the curiosity, critical thinking, and work ethic that makes this profession so rewarding.

Stay rooted in your values, but don't be afraid to branch out. The world needs smart, passionate ag leaders - and I am confident that is each one of you!

Remember, once a Snapper Aggie, always a Snapper Aggie. 🐢"

Pictured (L to R): Nellie Lehnhausen (AAS Ag Business Management), Ayden Mench (AA Ag Transfer), Jonathan Hedges (AAS Ag Business Management), Clay Butler (AS Ag Transfer), Nash Clementz (AGS Ag Transfer), Jayson Kuzniar (AA Ag Transfer), Instructor Allyson Smith M.S.

05/09/2025

* Graduate Spotlight *

Congratulations to Clay Butler for graduating with his associate degree in Ag Transfer. Clay is from Mason City, Il and chose SRC because of the affordability and it gave him the opportunity to continue playing baseball. His favorite class was Introduction to Soil Science and his favorite opportunity was competition in the State of Illinois PAS conference. A highlight of Clay's journey at SRC was completing an internship with Sunrise FS.

After graduation, Clay plans to transfer to Illinois College to study Agriculture Business and continue his collegiate baseball career.

Clay would like to thank his family, Sunrise FS, and previous coaches for their continued support during his time at SRC.

We are so proud of you!

05/09/2025

* Graduate Spotlight *

Congratulations to Nellie Lehnhausen for graduating with her associate degree in applied science - Ag Business Management and certificates in Agriculture Production and Precision Technology. Nellie is from Cuba, IL and chose SRC because it was close to home and allowed her to find a job with a flexible schedule to fit her busy lifestyle. Her favorite class was Introduction to Animal Science and Fertilizers and Pesticides and favorite opportunity was getting the opportunity to have internships with Hart's Nursey in Bushnell, IL and the City of Canton in the landscaping department.

After graduation, Nellie plans to search for a career in the livestock or soil industry.

Nellie thanks her kids: Delayla, Dacey, Drake - for being the reason she is pushing herself to be better, her better half: Dalton Terlizzi, mom and stepdad: Sandy and Dwight Eddington, for giving her the support she needed to continue pushing through the last few years.

We are so proud of you Nellie!

05/06/2025

* Graduate Spotlight *

Congratulations to Jonathan Hedges for graduating with his associate's degree in applied science - Ag Business Management and certificates in Agriculture Production and Precision Technology. JJ is a native to Canton and chose SRC because of its close proximity to home and due to the degree only being two years. His favorite class was Land Lab and favorite opportunity was getting the chance to visit different farms. A highlight of JJ's journey at SRC was landing internships with Fulton County Health Department in the Environmental Health department and Spoon River Electric Cooperative in the grounds department.

After graduation, JJ plans to continue working at Spoon River Cooperative in the forestry division and continue guiding snow geese for Controlling the Chaos.

JJ would like to thank his mom and dad for always believing and putting trust into him. "Especially my mom, I almost put her in the hospital a few times this year for stress related illnesses."

We are so proud of you!

05/05/2025

* Graduate Spotlight *

Congratulations to Ayden Mench for graduating with his associates degree in Ag Transfer. Ayden is a native to Canton and chose SRC due to its affordability, close proximity to home, and quality education. His favorite opportunity at SRC was participating in the Canton Friendship Festival parade with other members of Alpha Gamma Tau. A highlight of Ayden's journey at SRC was when he landed an internship with Keystone Co-op in Central Indiana, scouting fields and inspecting crops for deficiencies, presence of weeds and pests, using a drone.

After graduation, Ayden plans to attend Western Illinois University to earn a bachelor's degree in agriculture, focusing on precision agriculture, agronomy, and agriculture business.

Ayden thanks his parents, Andrew and Heidi Mench, uncle Tom, cousin Morgan, and Mrs. Smith for the assistance in becoming a drone pilot, licensed through the FAA.

We are so proud of you!

05/05/2025

* Graduate Spotlight *

Congratulations to Jayson Kuzniar for graduating with his associates degree in Ag Transfer. Jayson is a native to Canton who chose SRC because it saved him thousands of dollars and allowed him to continue his passion in playing baseball. Jayson states his favorite class at SRC was Introduction to Soil Science and his favorite opportunity at SRC was meeting new people from different parts of the state and competing in the State of Illinois PAS conference. Jayson is also thankful for the opportunity to start working at Sunny Hill Angus Farm, a connection made through SRC.

After graduation, Jayson plans to continue his agriculture studies in agronomy at an undecided university.

We are so proud of you!

05/03/2025

PLANT SALE - LAST WEEKEND

TODAY May 3: 9-11am
TOMORROW May 4: 9-12pm

23235 N Co. Hwy 22

*Greenhouse is located behind VOTEC*

All proceeds go directly to our students.

05/01/2025

Due to scheduling conflicts, our greenhouse will NOT be open this evening, Thursday May 1.

Come see us Saturday morning from 9-11!

Please share.

04/30/2025

SRC Agriculture Spring Plant Sale

Thursday May 1 - 4:30-7:00pm * CANCELLED *
Saturday May 3 - 9:00-11:00am
Sunday May 4 - 9:00-12:00pm

If you aren't available to make it during one of these times, please message us and we can set up a time to meet!

Plant sale is located at the SRC greenhouse, which is located behind the VOTEC building at the Canton campus.

04/11/2025

Ag Instructor Allyson Smith and sophomore Ag Transfer student Ayden Mech met with almost 500 Canton School District students today! Students were quizzed on random agriculture facts and had the opportunity to discuss different career opportunities in the Ag industry.