Agriculture

Career Expectations

After graduating from Sauk Valley Community College's agricultural programs, students can anticipate diverse career paths. Those in agricultural business will find opportunities in marketing, management, finance, and international trade. Agricultural production technology graduates can enter roles in agronomy, livestock production, and applied technologies. Animal science studies pave the way for careers in veterinary science, nutrition, and livestock management. Agricultural mechanics program graduates can pursue roles as mechanical technicians or equipment servicing specialists. Those aiming for teaching careers can benefit from agricultural education programs. Additionally, the sUAS drone certification program prepares students for drone piloting careers, ensuring they're equipped for licensure exams and safe operations in the field.

Necessary Skills and Attitudes

Skills and attitudes for success in the agriculture industry include, but are not limited to:

• attention to detail
• interpersonal communication skills
• dedication
• knowledge of additional resources
• planning and troubleshooting skills

Advanced degrees, often the bachelor and master degrees, are required for career advancement.

Program Learning Outcomes

Students in the agricultural business field at Sauk Valley Community College can expect opportunities in marketing, business management, farm management, finance, risk management, policy analysis and international trade.

Agricultural production technology at SVCC will open doors to farm production and applied technologies primarily in the areas of agronomy, livestock production, and technology-based service technicians.

The study of animal science provides training and opportunities for careers in veterinary science, animal nutrition, and livestock management.

SVCC’s agricultural mechanics program can lead to careers as a mechanical technician and the skillset to be able to service your own equipment.

Students that seek careers as an agricultural educator in all levels of education are best fit for the study of agricultural education at SVCC.

The sUAS drone certification program provides students with the training to accurately and safely pilot sUAS drones and prepares students for taking the necessary drone pilot licensure exams.

Meet the Faculty

The Agriculture Department faculty have an essential mix of credentials, teaching and real world experience. Combined, these instructors have over 12 years of experience teaching at SVCC.

Kevin M Larsen Kevin Larsen has a lifetime of experience in agriculture, being born on a dairy farm in Wisconsin to currently owning a 30-acre hay and beef farm outside of Morrison. Kevin taught for over six years as a high school agriculture teacher and FFA advisor and worked as one of the state staff for agricultural education for over three years. His passions are in the areas of agriculture education, animal science, and ag mechanics but has aspirations in all areas of agriculture. M.A., Agriculture Education, University of Illinois-Urbana