Prospective Agri-Hort Majors

Program highlights

• KCC partnered with area businesses to design a curriculum which fulfills needs for new employees and retrains current employees
• Classes provide laboratory, greenhouse, and field instruction for hands-on, practical experience.
• Three stackable enrollment options ensure reasonable costs (2014 estimates):
  • one-semester certificate - $2,454
  • one-year advanced certificate - $5,331
  • two-year associate in applied science degree - $9,874
• Classroom options are for those seeking additional training or new to the field
• Training focuses on four specialized areas: business, horticulture, manufacturing technology, and production.

Employment outlook

The Illinois Department of Employment Security reports the annual compound growth rate for agriculture/horticulture jobs is up an average of 13 percent. Projected outlook is an additional 44,503 jobs by 2020.

According to Purdue University Agriculture, the U.S. Department of Labor projects significant growth in the following areas related to Agri-Hort Technology between 2008 and 2018:

• Agricultural Inspectors - 12.8%
• Market Research Analysis - 28.1%
• Soil and Plant Scientists - 15.5%
• Environmental Engineers - 30.6%

The U.S. Department of Agriculture recently advised, "Look for approximately 7,900 average annual job openings (2010-15) for graduates in agricultural and forestry production occupations -- the foundation of the U. S. food, agricultural and natural resource system."

The KCC advantage

KCC's Agri-Hort Technology program provides

• Individual attention and instruction via small class sizes
• Hands-on experience, using land lab facilities, a three-hole golf course, greenhouses, workshops, computer labs and classroom technology
• An excellent mix of academic and real-world work experience
• Well-trained, competent graduates who need minimal on-the-job training