Spoon River College will offer a Cannabis Horticulture class this spring. The 12-week program aims to prepare students for careers in the growing cannabis industry. Classes begin Feb. 4, according to a community announcement.

The course will cover basic botany of the cannabis plant, soil science, fertigation, integrated pest management and cannabinoid testing. Students will gain hands-on experience through lab exercises. The class is presented by Thomas Vogel, a biology faculty member at Spoon River College. Vogel’s expertise includes plant anatomy and physiology, propagation, genetics and evolution, Cannabis sativa and science education.

The class is open to individuals ages 18 and older. Lectures and labs will be held Wednesdays from 2:30 to 6:30 p.m. The first session will take place at the Spoon River College Community Outreach Center, 2500 E. Jackson St. Subsequent classes will be held at 208 S. Johnson St.

Field trips are scheduled for this semester. Students will visit Stoney Branch Ag Ventures near Rushville on Feb. 20 and April 24. Another trip is planned to Nature’s Grace & Wellness near Vermont on March 27. Students must provide their own transportation for these field trips.

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