The Swan Chronicles Article #4
Article #4 of 4 in the series: USDA and NRCS Learn from Visiting Illinois Central College Campus
In April of 2026 Illinois Central College (ICC) hosted training for United States Department of Agriculture(USDA), and Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) workers from across the state. Staff and trainees for these departments are located in every county of Illinois, and chose ICC for the location of the training due to the unique agricultural space, harboring every issue or aspect they would need to address in training.
These workers oversee issues that affect our natural resources of land, water, and air, or to make sure landowners are following regulations and government programs.
There were 40 employees in total who gathered at ICC for a five day conference to train staff on how to “assess a farm and write a conservation plan for that farm”, states Pete Fandel, Professor of Agriculture, who also spoke and instructed during this conference.
Fandel presented and explained water research and conservation practices like the floating wetland and the pond at ICC. Apart from Fandel’s presentation, the agencies and their staff led most of the informational meetings and activities around campus.
The agricultural program at ICC offers numerous specialties such as agricultural production, marketing and merchandising, research and development, or public policy and prepares students to transfer to a four-year university to complete a bachelor’s degree.