The new structure housing the Richland Community College agricultural program will soon be in place thanks to a unique type of barn raising on Monday at 1pm, when FBI Buildings showcases its use of hydraulic cylinders, I-beams, scissors-lift technology, and safety nets to allow its crew to assemble a complete structure in about 15 minutes.
This distinctive building process was first demonstrated by FBi during the Farm Progress Show earlier this year, where it received a great deal of attention. Shortly after the show ended, the materials and roof for the 144×80-foot building were moved to the new ag building site, just north of the main campus. They have been waiting for the weather to cooperate so the wall frames and hinges can be attached in order for FBi to raise the whole structure into place hydraulically. The building is scheduled to be ready to host Fall 2022 classes.
Jess Smithers, Director of Agricultural Programs, says this is just another piece of the College’s commitment to growth of its agricultural program, “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 its 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