Cultivating the Future: Telling the Story of IVCC’s Ag Forward Campaign

At reelCreative, we believe great storytelling helps move missions forward and in this case, it’s helping build the future of agriculture in the Illinois Valley.

We recently partnered with Illinois Valley Community College, the IVCC Foundation, and the IVCC Agriculture Program to produce the signature media for their Ag Forward Capital Campaign—an initiative to raise the remaining funds for a new, state-of-the-art agriculture education facility.

A Story That Sparks Investment

This wasn’t simply a facilities update; It was a bold step toward investing in the future of agriculture and the students who will shape it.

To help IVCC tell that story, our team produced the campaign’s signature video, designed to engage donors, the public, and educational partners alike. The video blends heartfelt interviews with purposeful visuals, capturing the passion of the students, the leadership’s long-term vision, and the real-world impact this new space will bring.

Watch the full video below;

“This building really signifies the first step in our next 100 years, and how we are going to continue to grow and change and serve our students for generations to come.”

That quote from IVCC President Dr. Tracy Morris perfectly sums up the tone we aimed for: hopeful, grounded, and forward-thinking.

Photography That Supports the Mission

Alongside the video, we also delivered a full suite of high-quality, editorially polished stills used across IVCC’s website, campaign landing pages, donor packets, and social platforms.

We captured real students in real spaces, with professional lighting and composition that bring warmth and clarity to every frame. These visuals now serve as key components in donor outreach, social storytelling, and public-facing campaign materials.

Why This Campaign Matters

The new agriculture complex will feature lecture classrooms, an innovation lab, a wet lab, and a much needed student collaboration space located directly on the college farm. This proximity means students can walk from the classroom to the field in seconds, blending theory with practice in a way that current facilities simply can’t support.

And the campaign is gaining momentum.

As of August 20, 2025, a total of $1,075,000 has been pledged or donated, representing 43% of the fundraising goal.

With over $5 million already secured through federal and state grants, IVCC is seeking to raise the remaining $2.5 million through private support.

“It’s an investment in our community and an investment in the next generation of our community.”

We’re proud that our work can help elevate the campaign’s visibility, clarity, and emotional connection with potential donors.

Learn more about their campaign at ivcc.edu/foundation/agforward