Agriculture at Heartland Community College

08/22/2026

You know we are back in school when the AGRI 157, soils class, goes home with a new pair of underwear!

The class was given a pair of 100% cotton underwear to bury and test out soil microbe activity. Healthy soil, that has higher microbe activity, will break down the underwear more than others!

08/22/2026

A few of our students volunteered with the Illinois Specialty Growers Association at the IL state fair today! Heartland Community Collegiate Farm Bureau

Growing the next generation of agricultural leaders starts with opportunities like those provided by the Heartland Community College Agriculture Club!

We're proud to welcome the Agriculture at Heartland Community College as our Partner of the Day at the Illinois Specialty Growers Association Farm Stand at the Illinois State Fair. Through hands-on learning experiences, leadership development, industry engagement, and community service, club members are gaining the skills and knowledge needed to support the future of agriculture and make a positive impact in their communities.

📍 Stop by the Illinois Specialty Growers Association Farm Stand inside the Illinois Department of Agriculture Tent from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. to meet the student members of the Heartland Community College Agriculture Club, learn more about their programs and involvement in agriculture, and enjoy delicious Illinois-grown specialty crop treats!

Student leadership, agricultural education, and a strong future for our industry. Thank you, Agriculture at Heartland Community College, for being an outstanding partner and helping cultivate the next generation of agricultural professionals!

08/10/2026

Fall Course Offering! AGRI 110: Introductory Agricultural Economics

Prerequisite(s):
- Placement at college level English OR
- Concurrent enrollment in ENGL 99/101 OR
- Concurrent enrollment in ENGL 105
- High school or previous agriculture experience, or completion of AGRI 101 recommended

This course is a survey of the field of economics with an emphasis on agricultural management and economic analyses of current agricultural, resource, and environmental policies. This course is an introduction to working in agribusiness in today’s competitive environment.

Credit Hours: 3.00

Transferrable Elective Course: This course generally should transfer to an Illinois Articulation Initiative college or university. Please consult with your advisor about transferability.

08/10/2026

Fall Course Offering! AGRI 103: Agricultural Employment

Prerequisite(s): There are no formal prerequisites or placement testing requirements for this course

Explores careers within the agriculture industry and prepares students to apply and work in these career areas. Students will be required to formulate resumes and cover letters, develop interviewing skills, and learn how to navigate professional relationships.

Credit Hours: 1.00

Career and Technical Course: This course is a specific requirement for an Associate of Applied Science or certificate program and may not transfer. Please consult with your advisor about transferability.

08/10/2026

Fall Course Offering! AGRI 101: Introduction to Agriculture (Online)

Prerequisite(s): There are no formal prerequisites or placement testing requirements for this course

A survey of the entire field of agriculture including farm production, supply businesses, marketing, processing, and agricultural services through each industry pathway. Scientific principles, types of business organization and how each one functions is included, along with the types of jobs available throughout the entire industry.

Credit Hours: 3.00

Transferrable Elective Course: This course generally should transfer to an Illinois Articulation Initiative college or university. Please consult with your advisor about transferability.

08/07/2026

Last day at the Logan County Fair. Come stop by and talk to us about our programs at Heartland!

08/06/2026

Fall Course Offerings! AGRI 140 & AGRI 141

*There is no age limitation on enrolling in cannabis courses or earning cannabis-related certificates, but state regulation requires individuals to be 21 or older to handle cannabis. Many employers also have a requirement that individuals be 21 or older to be hired into positions that are physically located on the premises or would come into contact with cannabis.*

AGRI 140: Introduction to Cannabis
Prerequisite(s): There are no formal prerequisites or placement testing requirements for this course

This course explores the historical, legal, social, and political aspects of cannabis, as well as introduces students to plant properties, the basic life cycle of the plant, and the natural origins and evolution of cannabis production. Students will gain an understanding of diverse industry needs from vertically integrated cannabis operators, craft grow operations, transportation and supply chain, and other business functions. This course will also cover career opportunities in the cannabis industry.

Credit Hours: 3.00

AGRI 141: Cannabis Regulatory Compliance
Prerequisite(s): There are no formal prerequisites or placement testing requirements for this course

This course provides an in-depth examination of business aspects and the regulatory environment of the cannabis industry including applicable federal, state and local regulations (CFR 117 Food; CFR 111 Dietary Supplements; CFR 210 Pharmaceuticals) with a focus on safety, quality, and supply chain. The course also covers seed to sale tracking and the legal considerations faced by cannabis users, suppliers, and third parties.

Credit Hours: 3.00

08/06/2026

Fall Course Offerings! AGRI 170 and AGRI 171 are filled! Join the waitlist or look for their next course offering.

AGRI 170 is Introduction to Animal Science
This is a survey course covering topics such as beef and dairy cattle, companion animals, horses, poultry, sheep, and swine. This course will include the importance of product technology and the basic principles of nutrition, genetics, physiology, reproduction, microbiology, and behavior as they apply to breeding, selection, feeding, and management.
Credit Hours: 4.00

AGRI 171 is Veterinary Assistant
The Veterinary Assistant program introduces students to the exciting and growing field of veterinary medicine. Students will learn about the care of animals as well as how to recognize signs of illness and disease. This program also covers interpersonal communication, interaction with clients and their animals, as well as how to assist the veterinarian during examinations. Administrative duties, such as fee collection, banking, and accounts payable are also emphasized to provide the student with the skills necessary to maintain an efficient front office. Note: This program does not include a national or state certification or a clinical rotation as part of its overall objectives. Students must receive a grade of C or better in AGRI 171 to receive the HCC Certificate of Completion.
Credit Hours: 3.00

08/03/2026

Fall Course Offering! AGRI 157: Introductory Soil Science

Prerequisite(s)
-Completion of high school or college level chemistry course within the last five years
AND
-Placement at college level English OR
-Concurrent enrollment in ENGL 099/101 OR
-Concurrent enrollment in ENGL 105

This course provides a comprehensive overview of the basic principles of soils as they exist and interact in the environment. The course emphasizes soil as a natural body in nature; its formation, classification, chemical, and physical properties. Students develop an understanding of the mechanisms that control soil processes and properties. Whenever necessary, students are reintroduced to the relevant science and then shown how to apply these concepts to soils. Introductory Soils is designed to be equally useful to the non-agricultural production students, including those studying plant science, ecology, and environmental science, and to students in curricula such as agronomy, crop science, soil science, horticulture, and forestry.

Credit Hours: 4.00

Transferrable Elective Course: This course generally should transfer to an Illinois Articulation Initiative college or university. Please consult with your advisor about transferability.

08/03/2026

Come visit us at the Logan County Fair this week! Learn about new and existing programs in Career and Technical Education. Explore the courses that are offered at the Lincoln campus just down the road!

We look forward to seeing you there! You can find us just outside of the show barn. Best of luck to those showing through the week!