A historic event happened at the Blackhawk Technical College campus in Monroe Dec. 3 as the new agricultural laboratory was unveiled to the community at a ribbon-cutting ceremony.
During his remarks at the event, BTC President Dr. Tracy Pierner said the addition to the BTC campus was an investment in the long-term viability of the Monroe campus.
This is significant for all who have an interest in the existence of the BTC campus in Green County and the community of Monroe.
Pierner said there will be more improvements to the campus, including a dairy and ag-products study facility that will focus on processes such as pasteurization.
“The money is there and it is part of our long-term plan for the campus,” Pierner said immediately after the formal portion of the event. “It’s really as simple as building on-and-out to our existing facility.”
Pierner’s discussion of growth for the BTC-Monroe campus was positive, as were the observations of BTC Agribusiness and Farm Management Instructor Dustin Williams, who highlighted the modular design of the agricultural education facility.
The facility is 3,200 square feet in size and cost $650,000 to construct. It includes bays which are separated by large doors. This allows classroom study alongside space for hands-on education with heavy equipment. The lab helps students work on large equipment despite weather conditions.
The new building improves the college’s agribusiness science and technology associate’s degree program and other programs such as the agribusiness specialist technical diploma and the CDL and commercial applicator certification programs.
The ribbon cutting saw the recognition of the families of Jim and Therese Gratz and Fran and Sandy Donny, who have allowed portions of their land to be used for BTC agricultural program projects.
Continued fundraising is key to the growth of agriculture education at BTC. The college has established a “Future of Agriculture” fund, which funnels donations directly to agricultural studies and the needs of the program. The fund focuses on scholarships for students planning to make the agriculture their vocation.
The lab has been in use this semester and Williams pointed to equipment in the building at the ribbon cutting that was studied by students earlier in the day.
The ribbon-cutting event was attended by BTC administrators, board members and staff. There were community businesspeople and students in the program in abundance.
Green County Board of Supervisors Chairman Art Carter spoke to the importance of the relationship between BTC and Green County. He said his biggest hope as BTC has evolved is that nothing would happen to negatively impact the work of the college in Monroe. Carter said the addition of the agriculture lab is evidence that the program continues to move forward and grow.
Satellite campuses in the state’s technical college system are important as they provide classroom space that is closer to home for many students who may have families and jobs that they must prioritize. Ultimately, education beyond high school provides graduates with higher earning power. This can lead to a greater quality of life.
Congratulations to BTC and its agriculture program for the addition of the agriculture lab in Monroe. The growth of the program is good for Green County.
— Matt Johnson is publisher of the Monroe Times. His column is published Wednesdays.
