Agricultural Sciences & Veterinary Technology

Agricultural Science Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degrees are available in: 

• Agriculture Business, 
• Swine Management 
• Production and Management
   

JJC's Ag Department ensures that all students are getting an education with cutting edge information and quality instructors. Our full-time faculty provide students with a wide range of expertise and instruction to prepare them for their chosen careers.

Students are exposed to many aspects of agriculture through guest speakers, field trips and hands-on instruction. In addition, individualized academic advising is provided to our students to ensure proper course selection. This is especially important for our transfer degree students to enable a seamless transition from JJC to a four-year agriculture program of their choice.

Student social groups such as the Student Agriculture Association (SAA), the Post-Secondary Agriculture Student Organization (PAS) and the Collegiate Farm Bureau provide students opportunities to engage in social activities and develop leadership skills. Also, many scholarships and awards are available especially for JJC agriculture students.

What is Unique About Our Programs?

Our Associate in Applied Science degrees include a required on-job-training course. Students are placed in paid, full-time internship experiences nationwide and are supervised regularly on-site by JJC staff. Students who enter full-time employment following graduation can expect four to eight job opportunities from which to choose while those who plan to transfer to other institutions will find JJC credits accepted nationwide.
 

Contact Information

Tammy Miller
Ag Business & Transfer Advisor
Phone: 815.280.2424
Email: tmiller@jjc.edu

The JJC Horticulture program offers students:

• High-tech learning in JJC's LEED-registered Greenhouse, the first of its kind at a community college in the nation
• Access to advanced materials and technology, including an arboretum with over 1,000 woody and herbaceous plants
• Outdoor class laboratories
• Access to industry insiders through guest speakers and field trips
   

What is Unique About Our Program? 

Besides getting an outstanding education, horticulture students at JJC have many opportunities for learning and fun. They attend and participate in activities such as:

• Student Horticulture Association
• Illinois and National Postsecondary Agriculture Student Organizations (PAS)
• Student Chapter of the American Institute of Floral Designers 
• Planet Student Career Days
• Illinois Landscape Challenge Day
• Mid America Trade Show 
• Green Industry Conference 
• Midwest Turfgrass Exposition 
   

Horticulture Certificates

JJC's Horticulture program offers a number of certificates that are stackable with the program's two AAS degrees. Students who complete a certificate are encouraged to build on the classes they've already taken and complete a degree program.

Contact Information

Lisa Perkins
Horticulture Professor
Room: S-1015
Phone: 815.280.2387
Email: lperkins@jjc.edu

David Bartz
Horticulture Advisor
Phone: 815.280.6692
Email: dbartz@jjc.edu

This program combines classroom learning with hands-on laboratory and clinical experience. It offers both full and part-time options as well as day and evening sections. All vet tech courses must be completed within four years of the date of entry into the program.

The JJC Veterinary Medical Technology Program is fully accredited by the Committee on Veterinary Technician Education and Activities (CVTEA) of the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Upon completion, graduates are eligible to take the Veterinary Technician National Exam (VTNE) for licensure in Illinois. The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) administers the examination. Certification requirements may vary from state to state.

The AAS in veterinary technology is not intended to meet the requirements for application to veterinary school to become a doctor of veterinary medicine (DVM).

Learn More about the JJC Vet Tech program 

Contact Information

Karen Magno
Vet Tech Secretary
Office: B-1048
Phone: 815.280.2746
Email: kmagno@jjc.edu

Abby Panozzo, CVT
Professor, Vet Tech Program
Phone: 815.280.2286
Email: apanozzo@jjc.edu

JJC offers many transfer agreements with partner institutions, which means the transfer process is easily streamlined. 

Visit our University Partnerships page to learn more.

At JJC, you can choose to study abroad during the fall, spring or summer semesters. All students who want to study abroad should fill out an application and have it completed by the deadlines below.

• Spring Program: October 15
• Summer Program: February 15
• Fall Program: May 15
   

More on Study Abroad

The JJC Horticulture program offers students:

• High-tech learning in JJC's LEED-registered Greenhouse, the first of its kind at a community college in the nation
• Access to advanced materials and technology, including an arboretum with over 1000 woody and herbaceous plants
• Outdoor class laboratories
• Access to industry insiders through guest speakers and field trips
   

What is Unique About JJC's Horticultural Sciences Program? 

Besides getting an outstanding education, horticulture students at JJC have many opportunities for learning and fun. They attend and participate in activities such as Student Horticulture Association, Planet Student Career Days, Illinois Landscape Challenge Day,  PAS (Illinois and National Postsecondary Agriculture Student Organizations), Student Chapter of the American Institute of Floral Designers,  Mid America Trade Show, Green Industry Conference, and Midwest Turfgrass Exposition. All these experiences prepare them for great success in their career paths. 

Contact Information

Diane Vlna
Secretary, Ag, Hort & Vet Sciences
Hours: 9:00am to 4:00pm
Office: S-1019
815.280.2320
dvlna@jjc.edu

Horticulture Advisor
Lisa Perkins
815-280-2387
lperkins@jjc.edu

JJC's Horticulture program offers a number of certificates that are stackable with the program's two AAS degrees. Students who complete a certificate are encouraged to build on the classes they've already taken and complete a degree program.

• Landscaping, Certificate of Achievement provides interested students with training that will be used on the job. Plant identification courses, landscape layout and landscape construction courses essential to the implementation of successful landscape design. This certificate is stackable with the Landscape Construction AAS degree.
• Loading... provides the student with a broad background in horticulture as it relates to plant production and plant use.  Horticulture production is ideal for students interested in greenhouse or garden center operations. This certificate is stackable with the Environmental Horticulture AAS degree.
• Loading... provides students interested in floral design with experience and skills in basic western, party and event floral designs. Students pursuing this certificate find entry level jobs in the retail and wholesale floral industry.  This certificate is stackable with the Environmental Horticulture AAS degree.
• Loading... provides the student with practical greenhouse experience, knowledge on greenhouse crops and an introduction to pest management within the greenhouse environment.  Upon completion, students are able to enter the greenhouse industry as assistant growers and sales people. This certificate is stackable with the Environmental Horticulture AAS degree.
• Loading... provides students completing the program the latest skills and knowledge that will allow them to pursue entry level positions in the industry.  Emphasis is on landscape design and construction. This certificate is stackable with the Landscape Construction AAS degree.
• Loading... is for the student who desires to learn to grow plant material that will then be sold at retail outlets. Course emphasis is placed on woody plant growth and culture, pest management and nursery production. The Nursery Operations certificate is stackable with the Environmental Horticulture AAS degree.
• Loading... is ideal for students wanting to enter the sports turf or golf turf industries. Courses emphasis turfgrass management and pest control.  Students completing this certificate are ready for entry level position at golf courses, sports turf facilities and park districts. This certificate is stackable with the Environmental Horticulture AAS degree.