October 23, 2024 

Media Contacts:  
Meleah Butruille, interim dean of allied health and professional technical programs, 509-682-1211, mbutruille@wvc.edu   
Francisco Sarmiento, program coordinator, 509-682-6622, fsarmiento@wvc.edu   

Wenatchee Valley College has been awarded a $392,499 Hispanic-Serving Institution  Education grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture to launch Sembrando Éxito: Cultivating Hispanic Leaders in Agriculture. Over the next four years (2024-2028), this project will recruit and train 360 Hispanic field workers, providing them with transformative education and leadership development opportunities that will pave the way for successful careers in agriculture. 

Sembrando Éxito, Spanish for “Sowing Success,” will be implemented through WVC’s long-standing Hispanic Orchard Employees Education Program. For over 30 years, HOEEP has been a beacon of educational opportunity for Hispanic field workers, and this new project will build on that legacy. Students will gain hands-on experience with advanced agricultural technology, develop leadership skills, and participate in paid internships. The project will also include mentorship opportunities to help students develop self-advocacy and leadership skills while building professional connections within the industry.  

“This project is a direct response to the need for more technology-skilled employees in our orchards and vineyards,” says Francisco Sarmiento, agriculture department program coordinator, HOEEP faculty member, and co-project director of Sembrando Éxito. “We’re excited to provide these opportunities to individuals ready to take the next step in their careers and contribute to the future of agriculture in our region.” 

"We’re entering a new era of technology in fruit production, and we want to equip students with the knowledge and experience needed to excel,” added Francisco “Frank” Sarmiento-Torres, HOEEP faculty member and co-project director. “We will incorporate the latest technology and equipment into our curriculum." 

By investing in the education and development of Hispanic field workers, Sembrando Éxito will contribute to a more diverse and inclusive agricultural workforce while promoting educational equity. The project will also create clear pathways to higher education, preparing participants for leadership roles in the agricultural sector. 

This is WVC’s second HSI Education Grant. The first four-year grant, awarded in 2022 and led by Dr. Jeff Bullock, WVC agriculture faculty and acting dean of math, science, and engineering, has been instrumental in enhancing the quality of instruction in agriculture education at WVC. Through experiential learning opportunities, students are developing critical diagnostic and plant management skills while working on solutions to issues like Little Cherry Disease. 

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Wenatchee Valley College enriches North Central Washington by serving educational and cultural needs of communities and residents throughout the service area. The college is committed to diversity, equity and inclusion for all students and employees and provides high-quality transfer, liberal arts, professional/technical, basic skills and continuing education for students of diverse ethnic and economic backgrounds. Visit our website, wvc.edu.  

Wenatchee Valley College is committed to a policy of equal opportunity in employment and student enrollment. All programs are free from discrimination and harassment against any person because of race, creed, color, national or ethnic origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability, or the use of a service animal by a person with a disability, age, parental status or families with children, marital status, religion, genetic information, honorably discharged veteran or military status or any other prohibited basis per RCW 49.60.030, 040 and other federal and state laws and regulations, or participation in the complaint process. The following persons have been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies and Title IX compliance for both the Wenatchee and Omak campuses: 

To report discrimination or harassment: Title IX Coordinator, Mish ee twie 1321A, (509) 682-6716, title9@wvc.edu. 

To request disability accommodations: Student Access Manager, Wenatchi Hall 2133, (509) 682-6854, TTY/TTD: dial 711, sas@wvc.edu.