Community Unit School District 4 making improvements to agriculture industry program

MENDON, Ill. — The agriculture industry program at Community Unit School District 4 has experienced
growth and improvements.

With the leadership of Clayton Blunier, who teaches agriculture mechanics, and Amy Lucie, who teaches agriculture industry courses, the district secured funding to improve student experiences.

The major supporters are the ADM Cares Foundation, Compeer Financial Services, Tracy Family Foundation, Friends of Unit 4 Foundation, Knapheide Manufacturing. More than $100,000 in funding and supplies have been received in the past year.

The district has renovated its shop and bought new tools and supplies. Future improvements could include infrastructure issues, electrical systems, painting, safety and tool/machinery upgrades. Another goal is to offer a wider range of courses such as agriculture engineering, automotive mechanics, advanced agriculture welding and tractor restoration.

“We are looking to upgrade our technology to align with the industry practices and standards,” Blunier said in a press release.

Enrollment in the agriculture mechanics course has jumped to 128 students, and more female students are enrolling in agriculture industry courses each year. Unity’s average high school class is 35 students.

With the recent improvements, students have been actively engaged and eager to pursue more projects. They have completed picnic tables for the school campus, planter boxes and cornhole sets to name a few.

“The students love our program and their projects,” Blunier said. “They are always quick to jump right into the shop activities. We are thrilled with our success thus far and excited by our prospects moving forward.”