Classroom Project Leads to Career Calling

When Dorothy Rosier ’08 of Lemont, Illinois, was choosing her capstone project for the Adult Studies Business Program, she was going to focus on her current job in corporate marketing. But as she prayed about what to do, she felt the Lord was guiding her in a different direction.

Rosier always had a passion for farming, so she decided to focus her capstone research there.

“Farming has been an interest my whole life,” Rosier said. “The thing with farming is that you don’t just go out and till the fields and hope it grows. It takes planning.”

Following that interest—and her graduation from Trinity—Rosier pursued an associate in applied science degree in horticulture from Joliet Junior College (JJC). In 2010, she participated in the installation of a five-acre teaching arboretum for specialty crop production as part of that education.

When JJC decided to launch a farmer’s market, Rosier was encouraged to apply for the manager’s position because of the combination of her business degree from Trinity and her horticulture education from JJC. She was offered the position, and in May, she welcomed more than 600 customers to the JJC Farmer’s Market grand opening.

The farmer’s market was made possible through the Farmer Market Promotional Program grant, and Rosier works to encourage local farmers, producers, and artisans to sell their goods. The market is also part of the governor’s program “Where Fresh Is.” The goal of the program is to stimulate the economy with $2.4 billion by 4.8 million families in Illinois spending $10 a week on local produce and meats.

“I’ve worked hard to fulfill my Trinity capstone project, and I am so blessed to work with farmers and livestock producers,” Rosier said.