FBi Building’s exhibit at this year’s Farm Progress Show will feature the raising and lowering of a new building that will become the future home to Richland’s Agriculture program. Recently the College’s Facilities Master Plan identified the need for classroom, lab, and support space necessary for the continued upward improvement and growth of the agriculture program. A permanent and recognizable facility will provide a significant step forward for this program.
FBi Buildings will be showcasing its new building process for construction at the show which uses hydraulic cylinders, I-beams, scissors-lift technology, and safety nets to allow its crew to assemble a complete roof on the ground, build and attach the wall frames with hinges, and then raise the whole structure into place hydraulically, all in about 15 minutes.
According to Matt Jungmann, national shows director for Farm Progress, “This is the biggest innovation in pole building since the pole. It’s a totally different way to construct the pole building. I’m thinking this will be one of the can’t-miss things of the show in 2021.”
A final site on Richland’s campus for the placement of the 144×80-foot building will need to be determined soon and the building should be complete for Fall 2022 classes. The base cost of approximately $25 per square foot was determined and the Board of Trustees has approved moving forward on the project at a cost not to exceed $300,000. Funding for the project is available from the fund balance in the Operations and Maintenance Fund.
Jungmann added, “It’s going to put a good foundation together for Richland, which is exciting in the long run. We have a great partnership between FBi, Richland and the Farm Progress Show. There’s just more potential when you have an agriculture program right there at the show site.”
Jess Smithers, Director of Agricultural Programs, indicated the value of the new facility by stating, “the new classroom and laboratory space will enable us to deliver high quality educational experiences which prepare and connect students to careers in central Illinois’ largest and most important industry – Agriculture.” He also added, “it will be a key component in attracting and training the local talent needed to serve our agricultural community.”
The Richland Community College Agriculture program consists of an Associate in Arts/Science (transfer degree) and Associate in Applied Science degrees in Agribusiness, Crop Science, and Horticulture. Richland’s campus includes 120+ acres of farmland, is the host of the Farm Progress Show every other year, and is located in the Agribusiness capital of the world, all which enable the agriculture program to meet our mission of exposing, preparing, and connecting students to careers in Agriculture. www.richland.edu/agriculture