For well over a century, this Macon County city has been on the cutting-edge of innovation in processing agriculture products, and a major financial commitment sets a solid foundation for the next generation of leaders in that space.

Elizabeth Karcher is known for her love for teaching. As an animal sciences professor at Purdue University, she has taught nearly 2,000 students. Her classes range from introduction to animal agriculture to mammary physiology.

Agriculture teachers mentor, motivate and make a difference in the lives of their students every day. AgriNews thanks these teachers for the work they do to prepare the next generation for the future, and life.

Although it was not her first career choice, Lisa Oellerich found her calling when she started teaching agriculture and advising the Scales Mound FFA Chapter.

Chris Vick has been a student, a worker, a teacher and a farm director, all at the same university. For Vick, Southern Illinois University, more precisely the SIU University Farms, isn’t just work, but also home and family.

Miss Walters is really the person who got me involved in FFA and she has a way of including you in everything to make you feel super welcome. Mrs. Stanley has definitely brought my love of horticulture to light and she really encouraged me to pursue it.

Faith, farming and agricultural education are all tied together at Huntington University, where Raymie Porter teaches agriculture to students. Porter is also director of academic programs at Haupert Institute for Agricultural Studies.

College students graduating with a degree in agricultural education have a lot of job opportunities.

“This is different every day. It’s always challenging and it’s very interesting. You’ve got to really be the type of individual that likes to find answers. This career path is never going to be boring.”