Illinois faculty and students bring ACES impact to Springfield on Agriculture Legislative Day

Faculty and students from the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign traveled to Springfield on March 24 to take part in the 56th annual Illinois Agriculture Legislative Day, joining leaders from across the state to advocate for agriculture and share the college’s impact.

The day began with a breakfast, where state leaders — including Illinois Department of Agriculture Director Jerry Costello II and Governor JB Pritzker — joined representatives from FFA and 4-H to highlight the importance of agriculture to Illinois’ economy and communities.

Following the program, ACES faculty, Illinois Extension representatives, Illinois 4-H youth, and students met with legislators at the Capitol, offering a firsthand look at how research, education, and outreach at Illinois translate into real-world outcomes. Students shared their academic experiences and connected classroom learning to the policy decisions shaping the future of food, agriculture, and the environment.

For students in the Department of Agricultural and Consumer Economics (ACE), the experience brought policy into sharper focus.

“Opportunities like this help our students see what they are learning in the classroom doesn’t stop there,” said ACE Experiential Learning Coordinator and Senior Academic Advisor Chaya Sandler. “They are able to connect their coursework to real policy conversations and recognize the value of their perspectives. When students share their experiences with legislators, they begin to understand how their voices can influence decisions that impact agriculture, communities, and the broader economy.”

Experiential learning opportunities like this are central to the mission of ACE and the College of ACES to prepare students not only to succeed in their fields, but to contribute meaningfully to the communities and industries they serve. 

Support hands-on learning that connects ACE students to real-world policy and leadership experiences. Make your gift at go.aces.illinois.edu/give. Select “Other” and enter “Agricultural and Consumer Economics Experiential Learning and Leadership Fund 336214.”