Author: Raphael Felix, Horticulture Landscape Management Program 2027 at Illinois Central College 

My experience with the Illinois Soybean Association mentorship program was nothing short of enjoyable and eye-opening. As someone who doesn’t come from an agricultural background, I truly believe this is a wonderful opportunity for people from all walks of life to learn, explore, and draw inspiration. There are so many facets of agriculture that often go unnoticed, and this program shines a light on those lesser known but essential areas. Through this mentorship program, I had the opportunity to bridge my West Coast perspective with the deep-rooted agricultural culture of the Midwest.

For some additional context about who I am: I’m originally from the Pacific Northwest. More specifically, I grew up about 30 minutes (on a good day, avoiding city traffic) from downtown Seattle. I lived in the Greater Seattle metro area for about six years before moving to Peoria, Illinois in 2022.  I’m currently in the horticulture program at Illinois Central College, and I believe I can excel in both the horticulture and agriculture worlds. This mentorship is helping me take important steps toward that goal.

Students in the Illinois Soybean Association Mentorship Program listen to a presentation at PACE Labs in Peoria, IL. Photo provided by Colleen Callahan Consultancy.

Now, back to my takeaways from the mentorship program. Two of my favorite visits were to the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and the PACE Lab. The PACE Lab stood out because of the hands-on soil pH testing, which was both fun and engaging. I learned how they test drinking water, meat, and soil, among other things. Monitoring the health of our natural resources is no small task. I was impressed by how organized the work environment was, how powerful and complex the equipment is, and how passionate the team members are. It was truly inspiring.

Conservation and preservation have always interested me, and I find them incredibly important. A phrase from the NRCS that really stuck with me was, “Helping people who help the land.” That alone is a powerful statement. Learning about our nation’s environmental conservation programs, which anyone can participate in and benefit from, was eye-opening. Whether it’s large-scale resource operations or small residential efforts, we all have a role to play in giving back to the environment. I hope to be part of the movement that continues to share this knowledge and inspire others.

Both locations and the mentors behind them delivered excellent presentations. I took plenty of notes from their talks and from the questions asked by my cohort. Each meeting, tour, and hands-on activity was not only fun and memorable, but also highly informative. These experiences will definitely influence my future educational and career goals, particularly in the areas of conservation, preservation, and food quality.

Personally, I feel like I live between two plant worlds: aesthetics and practicality. I love growing beautiful plants for the sheer joy of the process and the result. I also care deeply about where my food comes from, and about the people behind that process—whether they are workers, scientists, or educators. We all know how important each role is in the larger system, and how every moving part contributes to the greater good.

I hope those in charge continue to support this mentorship program so that future students can experience everything it has to offer. It’s perfect for those trying to find their footing or narrow down their interests and passions. I also hope the program expands to include more locations and reach even more students. What started as unfamiliar territory for me has now become a space of genuine curiosity, learning, and new purpose.

Words can’t fully capture how grateful I am for this opportunity. I’m optimistic about what the future holds, not just for me, but for everyone working toward a better, more sustainable world. Thank you.