Agriculture

Sustainable Agriculture and Resource Systems

Wenatchee Valley College offers two associate of technical science degree programs in Sustainable Agriculture and Resource Systems. The transfer degree articulates to Washington State University's Agriculture and Food Science degree program in a variety of majors. The non-transfer degree prepares students to enter directly into employment in agriculture and related fields. The program builds educational pathways for students using core courses and electives to custom design a program to fit each student's emphasis area and intended educational outcome. Faculty advisers work closely with students to determine courses that will best meet their unique educational needs. Examples of three possible emphasis areas are listed below: General Agriculture, Tree Fruit Production and Sustainable and Organic Agriculture. Many other pathways are possible, including Horticulture, Natural Resources, Agribusiness, and Agriculture Education.

The bilingual agricultural employee education offers several certificate programs to increase the professional abilities of agricultural employees and their contributions to the operations of their respective employment settings. The programs are taught in Spanish, but all students should have basic English conversational skills and some ability to read and write in Spanish when entering these programs. Each program includes applied English, mathematics and computer applications instruction and a civics component which covers everyday life situations. Beginning and Advanced HOEEP (Hispanic orchard employee education program) focus on basic horticulture; HOEEP IV: Farm Management introduces the principles and practices of farm management; HOEEP V: Introduction to Viticulture introduces students to the production and management of juice and wine grapes and vineyard financial management; Integrated Pest Management Technician program is designed to prepare students as pest management scouts and assistants for apple, pear and cherry IPM projects.

See Also:
WSU College of Agriculture and Home Economics
Washington Apple Education Foundation

Please feel free to contact the Workforce Education Department at 509.682.6610.

Sustainable Agriculture and Resource Systems (ATS)
Students who complete the ATS in Sustainable Agriculture and Resource Systems will be able to:

• Demonstrate skills and knowledge in the fundamentals of:

• general agriculture production practices
• tree fruit production practices in North Central Washington
• general horticulture practices
• sustainable and organic agriculture production
• agri-business management
• natural resources
• viticulture principles and practices in Washington

• Demonstrate the ability to:

• think critically (analyze, synthesize, evaluate and apply, problem solve, reason quantitatively and qualitatively) in workplace environments.
• act responsibly as an individual and as a member of a team or group in a workplace environment.

• Acquire the training and education to seek employment or advance in current employment in agriculture related fields.

• Develop a foundation to continue their studies in agriculture or related fields.