The CHS Foundation has awarded a grant to Lake Area Technical College (LATC) in Watertown, SD, to support the launch of its Agriculture Commodity Risk Management Lab. The state-of-the-art learning space is designed to prepare the next generation of agricultural leaders to navigate complex agricultural markets.
“The new trading room at Lake Area Tech will be a significant step forward in how we prepare our ag students for the realities of today’s marketplace,” Tiffany Sanderson, LATC President, said. “Access to hands-on, simulated experiences where students market products and manage risk for ag operations will ensure graduates leave with the ability to interpret real-time data, make informed financial decisions, communicate professionally and work strategically under pressure.”
The grant will help establish one of the Upper Midwest’s first simulation-based commodity risk management labs at a two-year college. The lab will serve students in LATC’s Ag Business, Ag Production and Livestock Production & Management programs, providing hands-on experience in commodity marketing, risk management and data-driven decision-making.
The lab will replicate a real-world trading environment with multiple live market data monitors and individual student trading stations. Students will participate in mock trading sessions, hedging simulations and real-time market analysis using industry-standard software and live data feeds. With advanced video conferencing capabilities, the space will also host guest lectures from industry professionals around the world.
“CHS and the CHS Foundation are excited to partner with Lake Area Technical College to support future ag leaders through the launch of the Agriculture Commodity Risk Management Lab,” said Megan Wolle, president, CHS Foundation. “This investment gives students real world experience in commodity trading and fosters the skills needed to advance their careers. We’re eager to see the successes of this program and its impact on the larger agricultural industry.”
The lab will directly impact more than 200 college students each year, along with high school students and industry professionals through coursework, FFA activities, Junior & Senior Tech Day college visits and a planned industry open house. High school students will experience hands-on marketing simulations designed to spark interest in agricultural careers, while industry partners will participate in student trading evaluations and curriculum collaboration.
“The CHS Foundation’s investment is transformative for our Ag students and our region,” said Erin Meland, LATC Agriculture Instructor. “The lab will give students the confidence and real-world experience to manage risk, whether they return to family farms, work for cooperatives, or pursue careers in agribusiness. We are deeply grateful for the Foundation’s partnership in building stronger agricultural leaders.”
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