Jun 12, 20203 min read

Educating the Next Generation

Updated: Jun 17, 2020

It's graduation time! Highlighting the USA's first Bachelors in Agricultural Systems degree at a community college.

About WWCC Ag Programs:

Walla Walla Community College offers several degree tracks for students, ranging from Plants and Soil Sciences, Ag Business, Animal Science, Turf Management, and Precision Ag. The Community College offers Associate in Applied Science degrees (AAS) in these areas of study, as a foundation to round out their education with the ground-breaking Bachelors of Applied Science (BAS) in Agricultural Systems degree, the first four-year ag degree offered by a US community college.

The BAS program is the first of its kind in the US, and provides students with a broad and complete understanding of the complex interactions in the agroecosystem using scientific knowledge through the lens of systems thinking. In doing so, students are able to adjust current and identify alternative pathways to minimize the many potential negative effects on the environment, livelihoods and human health. In addition to classes in foundational agricultural knowledge, like that of basic soil, plant and animal science, students are engaged in topics such as agroecology, policy, technology and sustainability, which develop skills in systems and critical thinking. Students engage in extensive amounts of hands on learning such as building and managing their own vermicompost bin to understand how the management of inputs affect soil organisms and soil fertility. Additionally, the program uses a variety of active learning methods like that of interactive lecture, group discussions, lab exercises, and hands on learning with local farmers. The community college offers outstanding face to face courses with some of the best agriculture scientist in the valley, who really care about your success and get you well equipped for a future in agriculture.

Walla Walla Community College offers scholarships that are awarded to students interested in pursuing a career in agriculture. The awards range from $250-$1500 depending on available funds. Contact the Ag Science Department to request a scholarship application.

Career Opportunities:

• Farm/Ranch Managers

• Sales Representatives

• Agricultural Technicians

• Field Personnel

• Agronomists

Program Outcomes:

• Provide students with the highest level of instruction by offering the latest concepts in agriculture.

• To attract, retain, and graduate competent students into the Agriculture Science industry.

• Keep program on "cutting edge" of agriculture by involving industry in curriculum development and verification of student learning outcomes.

• Articulate the Agriculture Science program horizontally with other related WWCC programs, and vertically, with regional high schools and universities.

• Educate and graduate students who possess the knowledge and skills to participate in the agriculture industry with confidence, or continue their education at the university level with the same confidence.

How does innov8.ag relate to the WWCC Agricultural Systems Program?

The WWCC Agricultural Systems program adds value to Innov8.ag by having members of their program being a part of our advisory board and even by having one of their recent graduates as an employee.

Dr. Erin Anders is the lead instructor for the Bachelors of Applied Science in Agricultural Systems program at Walla Walla Community College and is a crucial member of our advisory board. She has a Ph.D. from Michigan State University in Crop and Soil Sciences with an emphasis on Ecological Food and Farming Systems. By providing years of experience in the agriculture industry, Innov8.ag is elated to work alongside Dr. Erin Anders and Walla Walla Community College in our pursuit to help inform growers with data that reduces cost by managing their water usage, labor, equipment, and chemicals.

Bailey Bromiley, a current employee at innov8.ag, just completed her BAS Ag Systems at Walla Walla Community College after attaining her Associates degree in Enology and Viticulture. She is passionate about vineyard management and agroecosystem sciences. Some of her interests include being outdoors, whether she is on the farm, camping, or on the slopes of the nearest ski resort. She not only provides us with years of experience in vineyard management and agroecosystem sciences but she also gives many insights on how to improve Ag Tech by being innov8.ag's administrator/marketing support.

Finally, one of Bailey's graduating classmates, Sydney Taylor, just finished her capstone using nano-climate data from one of our orchard projects. We look forward to sharing more about her capstone later this summer.

Congratulations to Bailey & Sydney on completion of your degrees! We're confident that you both have exciting careers in ag ahead of you.