FREEPORT — On September 18, over 165 community members, business partners, students, and college personnel gathered for Highland Community College’s 2025 Gather and Grow event, celebrating the strength of agriculture education and the vital role of community support. Sponsorships, ticket sales, and silent auction donations raised more than $10,000 to benefit the Agriculture program.

The evening began with tours of Highland’s Agriculture facilities, including the research farm, agriculture center, greenhouse, and gardens. Guests engaged directly with students to learn about their hands-on projects, such as subsurface irrigation research, hydroponic systems, cannabis studies, animal and veterinary science simulation equipment, and student-managed raised garden beds.

Following the tours, guests enjoyed a social hour, silent auction, and a locally sourced meal prepared by Graybill Kitchen Company, with contributions from community vendors including New Morning Bakeshop, Deerland Dairy, Arrow Farm Meats, Megz Country Cheese, Orchard Landing Apple Farm, Neumiller Farms Inc., Massbach Ridge Winery, Generations Brewing Company, Rocky Waters Vineyard and Winery, and Prairie Farms Dairy.

“This event was a wonderful reminder of how food and agriculture connect us all,” said Sarah Graybill. “Using locally sourced and donated products to benefit the Highland Community College Agriculture program felt like the perfect way to give back and invest in the future of agriculture. It was an honor to be a part of it.”

Much of the organization for this event was led by the Highland Ag Club Officer team: Lauren Witte, President; Ali Danekas, Vice President; Jace Urish, Secretary; Aaliyah Whitney, Treasurer; Ty Spahn, Public Relations; and Lakota Scace, Program Coordinator.

“We were so excited to be able to host the 2025 Gather and Grow event and feel it went really well,” said Lauren Witte, HCC Ag Club President. “The community support for our Agriculture program is awesome—thank you to everyone that contributed or attended.”

Community partners expressed pride in the program’s impact. 

“I was very impressed to see the educational and operational agriculture experiences that Highland students are receiving,” said Jay Kempel, General Manager at Stephenson Service Company. “The experimental plots, irrigation tests, and advanced technology equipment highlight how beneficial this program is to both students and our community.”

Dan Dick, Executive Director of the Highland Community College Foundation, echoed the importance of the evening. “This event showed exactly why we do what we do. Highland students shared how the Agriculture program is shaping their futures—a success made possible by the vision of College leadership, the support of the Foundation, and the generosity of the Scheider and Switzer families. We are proud the College will dedicate and rename the Agriculture building as the Delbert Scheider Agriculture Center and, this fall, the Foundation’s plot property will be renamed the Switzer Family Research Farm.”

The evening also showcased the partnerships behind Highland’s research efforts. 

“The event was well organized and provided a multi-faceted picture of HCC Agriculture opportunities,” said LaVerne Weber, owner of Grade Solutions. “It was a great place for people to physically see and experience the research plot learning opportunities.”

Highland extends special thanks to its many sponsors and donors, including Citizens State Bank, Grade Solutions, Adkins Energy, Compeer Financial, Stephenson County Farm Bureau, Witte Plastics, Jim Endress Family, Wyffels Hybrids and Lucas Boomgarden, Stephenson Service Company, PCE, State Bank, Rockin’ S Cattle Company, High Plains Pork, Urish Family Farms, Kentland Farms, Fergedaboudit Vineyard and Winery, Goldmine Components LLC, Heritage Tractor, Spahn and Rose Lumber Company, Birkey’s Farm Store, and Felicity Acres.

The success of Gather and Grow 2025 demonstrates the shared investment in the future of agriculture education in northwest Illinois and the many ways the community comes together to ensure Highland students thrive.