Authored by Ben Pille, Illinois Central College Student

Growing up on a corn and soybean farm, I’ve spent my whole life revolving around agriculture. I thought I knew most of the careers involved within the industry – boy was I wrong!

Visiting Beck’s Hybrids, Compeer Financial, Heritage Tractor, Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), and Pace Laboratories was an incredible experience that gave me a very diversified look into the many different parts of the agriculture industry. Each stop offered something unique and valuable, and I truly enjoyed all of them for different reasons.

A visit to Beck’s Hybrids in El Paso, IL (Photo provided by Illinois Soybean Association)

At Beck’s Hybrids, I was impressed by their dedication to research and innovation in seed development. Seeing firsthand how much testing and evaluation goes into producing high-performing hybrids gave me a greater appreciation for the science behind the seeds we plant. Compeer Financial opened my eyes to the financial planning and risk management side of farming—something that’s easy to overlook, but vital for long-term success. Heritage Tractor was a favorite for its showcase of precision agriculture equipment and the talks about autonomous farming equipment and the use of artificial intelligence. The level of technology built into today’s machines is truly amazing and shows how far humans have advanced in producing food.

The visit to NRCS helped me understand the importance of conservation practices and land management. Learning about cost-sharing programs and conservation planning made me realize how farmers and government agencies can work together for more sustainable agriculture.

While all the visits were valuable, my favorite one was PACE Laboratories. I’ve always been curious about the science side of agriculture, and this visit covered that curiosity perfectly. Seeing how they analyze soil, water, and plant samples to give farmers detailed recommendations was fascinating. The level of detail and precision they use really stood out. It made me think more about how data and lab work drive decisions we make in the field every season. The staff were very knowledgeable and passionate, which made the whole experience even more engaging.

This program gave me an incredible opportunity to explore different sectors of the agriculture industry through hands-on visits and real-world experiences. I walked away with a deeper understanding of how all these parts connect to support farmers and improve the industry as a whole. It was an eye-opening and inspiring experience that will last for a lifetime.