AGCO Celebrates Grand Opening of AGCO Technician Training Center at Parkland College

Dec 05, 2024

AGCO celebrated the grand opening of the AGCO Technician Training Center at Parkland College in Champaign, Illinois. The new 22,000 square-foot facility is the home of the school's AGCO Agriculture Service Technician Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S.) degree program, which provides instruction specific to the company's popular machinery and precision ag technologies. Made possible by a $5 million donation from AGCO Corporation, this advanced training center is set to revolutionize diesel technology education and address the critical shortage of skilled technicians in the agricultural industry.

The AGCO AAS program at Parkland College is registered as an official apprenticeship through the U.S. Department of Labor, providing students with a unique combination of classroom learning, paid on-the-job training and nationally recognized credentials. The new facility offers state-of-the-art immersive classroom technology, 18,000 square-feet of shop space stocked with special tooling and training aids and access to some of the latest equipment from AGCO's Fendt®, Massey Ferguson® and PTx™ brands for a highly relevant, hands-on learning environment. The location will also host training events for AGCO's dealer network, at which student-apprentices can learn alongside veteran industry technicians.

AGCO's North American dealer network actively seeks passionate students to sponsor through internships, mentorships and post-graduate employment opportunities. The apprenticeship degree program aligns with the company's Farmer First strategy and FarmerCore™ initiative by preparing a well-trained workforce for high-demand careers that support the economic growth of farmers and their communities.

"Today's equipment and precision ag technologies require highly skilled technicians to keep our farmers farming," said Eric Hansotia, AGCO's Chairman, President, and CEO. "This facility demonstrates AGCO's commitment to future technicians, farmers and dealers, ensuring reliable operations and successful farming across the region."

Click here to see more...

Video: Home Grown Ontario Tulips

Ontario’s flower sector is blooming ??

With more than $1 billion in farmgate sales and over $650 million in annual exports—much of it centred in the Niagara region—Ontario growers are a major force in Canada’s floriculture industry. In fact, the province produces roughly 50% of all flowers grown in the country, serving a market of over 100 million consumers within a one-day drive.

It’s a powerful example of how strategic location, cross-border access, and strong production capacity come together to support both local agriculture and global markets ??

?? Watch as Andrew Morse, Executive Director of Flowers Canada, shares insights and the full story behind Ontario’s tulip industry and its thriving flower sector.