Hundreds of people attended a ribbon cutting ceremony on Tuesday morning for the new John Wood Community College (JWCC) Agricultural Sciences Complex, which will serve as cornerstone in building and shaping the future of agriculture.

"Today is truly a defining moment for that partnership and our AG program," said JWCC President Mike Elbe.

Elbe said this new facility will emphasize the importance of building strong leadership in agriculture.

"When you think about FFA, when you think about 4-H, and even AG Club and the things they do and the activities, it's all about building leaders for the future," Elbe said.

And it goes beyond that said Larry Fischer, a former Board Chairman of John Wood and one of the leaders behind the facility.

He told KHQA the unique partnership between John Wood, the University of Illinois and several Illinois State Departments will provide more opportunities for leadership.

"A land grant institution, with a community college, with other agencies that provide education, demonstration to our rural communities and other communities," Fischer said.

That includes the on-site facilities, which will be one of a kind for the area.

John Wood Ag student Kylee Freeman is excited to use them.

"With the animal care wing and the indoor arena, I hope its able to bring a bit more experience compared to just learning at the ag center," Freeman said. "Hopefully it will add a few more terms of study that kids will be able to use."

All on the idea that building better leaders, who understand the resources the area has, will lead to better communities.

"We have such a variety of natural resources in this area and it's a challenge for all of us who live in rural Illinois to learn how to better utilize and use the natural resources for economic development and community development," Fischer said.

The new facility costs around$2.5 million and is being paid for through private funding.

The facility will be open for students this fall semester