MONROE — Blackhawk Technical College agribusiness instructor Dusty Williams decided in December that he would stop shaving the red beard that fills out his face. 

His said his wife eventually made him trim it, but he made it known that until Blackhawk Technical College broke ground on the expansion to benefit the school’s agriculture program, the beard would stay. 

He made true on that promise on a sunny morning April 24. With about 75 people in attendance, the farm management instructor sat in a chair to have his beard shaved by former agriculture student Mike Raab. 

Raab was the first graduate of the two-year agriculture program started by Williams at BTC.

The college’s expansion is one many said Williams has built from the ground up during his nearly 10 years at the college. Williams said he was proud to see the official groundbreaking bring in many students, community members and college officials. 

“It’s neat to see the impact you made in people’s lives,” Williams said. “I was really happy with the crowd today.”

The 4,000 square-foot facility is slated for completion in July and will be host to a classroom and shop that spans 3,200 square feet with a connecting, fully automated greenhouse. The total cost for the expansion will be around $650,000. 

Williams said the shop will serve as a hands on place for learning. He has made several connections with local businesses like Sloan Implement, Baker Precision Planter Works of Orangesville and several others to allow students experience with real equipment. 

Two years ago, Williams received a grant for $340,000 to start a two-year agriculture associate’s degree program at Blackhawk. The group was able to purchase machinery and add instructors. 

Williams said initial whispers of the idea for a new space began over more than half a decade before the degree program was created, but only turned serious roughly one year before its implementation.

The backdrop for the shovels, dirt and speakers were the school’s recent purchases and donations — tractors connected to a state of the art sprayer and planter — allowing students to keep current on technology and expose them to the modern facets of ag technology as part of everyday class.

Mike Queoff of Keller Inc, with offices in the Fox Cities, Madison, Milwaukee and Wausau, who is said working on the expansion project gave him an opportunity to stay “deeply rooted” in the community.

“This is an example of how we can be a small part in the education process,” he said. “This is a great day for education in south central Wisconsin.”

Green County Board of Supervisors Chair Art Carter spoke about his lifelong involvement in agriculture. He said that after more than 50 years in the farm equipment business, he can envision the benefits the facility can provide for the future.

“We need to keep training new people to meet the demands in agriculture,” Carter said. “If we don’t, the county’s agriculture will suffer.”

Mark Mayer, who serves on the advisory committee for the project, said despite some roadblocks, the board has been supportive of the Monroe campus. He reminded listeners the college went without an agriculture program for several years, but in 2008, BTC brought Williams on board to build the program from scratch. 

“Agriculture represents 30% of jobs in Green County and 50% of total economic activity,” Mayer, the former agriculture agent for UW Extension in Green County, said. “It’s exciting to see it brought back and grow, especially at the Monroe campus and in Green County.”

Blackhawk Technical College President Tracy Pierner said three years ago when the idea for the expansion began, the college was struggling with enrollment and decided to focus on growth and service in its transition to new programming.  

“This ag building is just one step in supporting different agriculture programs in Green County,” Pierner said.

Nearly a year ago, the school held a grand opening to the Enterprise Center, a business development center. 

Denise Rankin of Belleville is working toward her associate’s degree, hoping to eventually go into agronomy or animal nutrition. She first attended college in Madison, but it wasn’t a good fit. She was at the groundbreaking to show support for the college that has allowed her to attend school and earn a degree in her desired field close to home, where she feels most comfortable. 

“I feel like you can connect with teachers and feel the support you need,” she said. 

Williams said agriculture student numbers vary, but typically there are 30 to 35 students among certificate program options. Certificates can be earned in one- or two-year programs. The class sizes range from six to 15 students and allow for hands-on, small opportunities to work closely with instructors.

“We have a great campus here and we have some phenomenal instructors too,” Williams said.

Williams said he’s stuck with a quote throughout his life, which he shared with the ag-connected group. 

“If you’re not green and growing,” he said. “You’re ripe and rotting.”