The Maschhoffs, a hog production company headquartered in Carlyle, Ill., seized an opportunity to “champion the hopes and dreams of the future of the ag industry” by donating $100,000 to a new 24,000-sq.-ft. John Wood Community College Agricultural Sciences Complex.
Construction of the facility began last September at the JWCC Agricultural Education Center and the University of Illinois Agricultural Research and Demonstration Center in Baylis, Ill.
“The world faces significant food issues globally,” University of Illinois President Emeritus Bob Easter said in a release. “The facilities and educational programs that are operated here are critical to us being able to feed the world going forward.”
The newly completed facility houses offices and classrooms, an exposition/arena space and an animal care unit. The building will address multiple agricultural education and development issues in west central Illinois and further enhance research, teaching and activities throughout the region, a release said.
“This new ag facility represents leaders,” said Ken Maschhoff, owner/chairman at The Maschhoffs. “It provides a space where like-minded students can come together as the future of this essential industry.”
The ceremony honored the completion of the building and highlighted a 40-year educational
partnership with the University of Illinois, John Wood Community College and the Orr Research Center
Corporation. Together, these partners continue to work collectively to build a strong rural economy and create new generations of farm operators, owners and other rural careers.
“We are fortunate as a family and company to support the educational partnership with the build of this facility,” said Dave Maschhoff, owner/senior consultant at The Maschhoffs. “Our family has a personal connection as we’ve benefited from the state’s outreach and education system as we started and built our business through multiple generations.”
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