AGRICULTURE EDITION
SUMMER 2024
PLANTING SUCCESS CBC’s Agriculture program cultivates knowledge and teaches the foundational science of modern agriculture through immersive learning, advanced equipment and technologies. Students can pursue degrees in agriculture, crop & soil science, agribusiness and agriculture production, with certificate options in crop & soil science, precision agriculture, and hydroponics and greenhouse management.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Melda Velasquez, Chair Kadlec Regional Medical Center
CBC NEWS
Douglas Christensen, Vice Chair & Board Development Chair
HMIS
Matt Backlund, Treasurer & Finance Chair Community First Bank
Whitney LaMarche, Secretary Hadron Intrinsic Consulting, LLC
Rebekah Dobbs, Gift, Estate and Planned Giving Chair
Gesa Credit Union
Lynn Tegeler, Scholarship Chair
Central Plateau Cleanup Company
Kyle Simmons, Fund Development Chair
CG Public House
Rebekah Woods
Columbia Basin College President
David Billetdeaux
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory
Andrew Chung Gesa Credit Union
Maggie Esquivel Gravis Law
Marsha Halverson Educator, Retired
Ann Harper Artist
Kedrich Jackson
Columbia Basin College Trustee
Jack Janezic Trios & Lourdes Health
Moses Jaraysi
Leanna Nighswonger
Washington River Protection Solutions
Shawn Nyman
CBC Faculty Representative
Mitch Peterson CompuNet
Edgardo Quiroz-Moreno
Keller Williams
Jaime Shimek
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory
Holly Siler
Columbia Basin College Trustee
Camden Simmelink
Student Representative
Adan Tijerina
Michelle Twomey Kadlec Regional Medical Center
Tayler Welch
Monte Nail, CPA
Paige Wyatt
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory
CBC FOUNDATION STAFF
Erin Fishburn
Executive Director
Devon Holze
Sarah Murphy
Timmy Song
CBC News
GROWING FOOD & FUTURES
AGRICULTURE PRODUCTION DEGREE PATHWAYS
A career in agriculture production opens doors to limitless opportunities in this ever-evolving profession.
CBC graduates equipped with a two-year Associate in Applied Science in Agriculture Production degree are ready to begin their careers. These Hawks have the option to continue their academic journey at CBC to earn a Bachelor of Applied Science in Applied Management with a specialization in Agriculture. This pathway gives them valuable insights into management strategies and cutting-edge agriculture technologies.
“CBC’s program is a launching point for the agriculture industry’s workforce,” said CBC Professor of Agriculture Kerrin Bleazard. “Our students leave here with the know-how and experience to work in any aspect of the vast agriculture sector, which is one of every three Washington jobs.”
CBC’s regional partnerships also allow students with two-year Agriculture degrees to seamlessly transfer to Washington State University Tri-Cities, Washington State University or Oregon State University to earn their bachelor’s degree in field crop management, fruit and vegetable production or ag technology and management.
LEARN MORE ABOUT CBC’S AGRICULTURE PROGRAM AND HOW IT CULTIVATES CAREERS BY CONTACTING KERRIN BLEAZARD AT AGRICULTURE@COLUMBIABASIN.EDU.
Hawks Triumph
AT NATIONAL COMPETITION
CBC’s Agriculture program students grow their skills using competitive style learning and reallife application as part of the National Professional Agricultural Student Organization (PAS). PAS is one of the 11 career and technical student organizations recognized by the U.S. Department of Education as an integral part of career and technical education.
CBC PAS students participate in campus service, tour agriculture organizations, grow plants for CBC’s plant sales and compete in state and national competitions.
Hawks showcased their expertise in March at the National PAS competition held in Springfield, Illinois. Competing in various events, all CBC teams and individuals placed in the top five in their competition areas.
Congratulations to CBC’s Professional Agriculture Students on your remarkable achievements!
Ag Program Alum
WHERE THEY ARE NOW
Working for the Washington State Department of Agriculture is far from Obadiah Sheriff’s home country of Sierra Leone, West Africa.
Obadiah’s journey from Sierra Leone to the U.S. in 2015 is a testament to his resilience and determination. The State Department selected him to receive a Diversity Immigrant Visa, so he left his home country behind and embarked on a new chapter of his life.
“There are no jobs after schooling, and the cost of living is very high, making it difficult for people to have a daily meal. There is no choice but to leave to find a better life,” Obadiah said.
Initially aspiring to study politics, Obadiah was drawn to agriculture after arriving in the Tri-Cities. Obadiah earned his associate degree in crop sciences from CBC in 2020 before receiving a bachelor’s in crop and soil science at Oregon State University. He is pursuing a master’s in plant health management at Washington State University.
He envisions returning to Sierra Leone someday to help with food production and create job opportunities, thereby improving the lives of future generations.
“I began my journey at CBC, and I will always remember everyone who supported me because that is where I got my foundation,” he remarked. “Like a builder, you can’t construct a house without a solid foundation, or it will collapse. Without CBC, I wouldn’t be where I am today.”
Hailing from the Yakima Valley, an area with dense orchards, Columbia Basin College alum Tysen White hadn’t considered agriculture as a career until he became involved in his high school’s Future Farmers of America (FFA) program.
Following high school, Tysen was elected to Washington’s FFA state officer team. He took a year off from school and dedicated himself to serving the 12,000 association members, traveling the state to represent and advocate for industry.
In 2021, Tysen enrolled at CBC and soon discovered the College’s rigorous Agriculture program.
“CBC students have a distinct advantage living in our region. This area serves as the epicenter of agriculture,” Tysen noted. “As advancements and the crossover of industries continue, we will all intersect with this vital sector.”
Today, Tysen is employed at RDO Equipment Co. and intends to return to CBC next spring to complete an Associate of Applied Science in Precision Agriculture and an Associate of Applied Science Production Agriculture.
“CBC offers students great exposure to the agriculture industry,” he said. “The program provides an incredible opportunity to remain in the region where you can graduate and immediately go to work in your chosen career. You couldn’t ask for anything better.”
CBC AGRICULTURE PROGRAM ADVISORY BOARD EXTERNAL MEMBERS
Jarrod Bailey, RDO Equipment Co., Pasco
Why Give!
“AgWest Farm Credit champions agriculture and is passionate about helping provide a bright and vibrant future for this vital industry. We are proud to support programs that encourage students to enhance and expand their passion for agriculture and those that foster innovation and creative thinking about how we will feed the world - now and in the future.”
Kevin Cochrane, Corteva Agriscience
Christa Douglass, Wilbur-Ellis
Mason Douglass, Tri-State Seed Company
Keeley Gant, ESD 123
Colin Hastings, Pasco Chamber of Commerce
Arthur Job, Job’s Nursery
Laura Jones, Pasco School District
Leslie Druffel, The McGregor Company
David Scheffler, Syngenta
Carol Travis, New Horizons High School
Tim Waters, Washington State University
Extension
Patrick Williams, Simplot Grower Solutions
2600 N. 20th Ave.
Pasco, WA 99301
“Agriculture is a complex science that is much more than harvesting crops. With technology and research advancements and the diversity of crops around the world, it is a career that will always evolve and be in demand.”
CITLALI “CICI” AGRICULTURE
CBC’S AG PROGRAM SOARS
Columbia Basin College is paving the way for tomorrow’s agriculture industry leaders through its innovative learning environments.
The program stands out among community colleges because of its on-campus research field and advanced technologies and tools.
Students experience hands-on learning in the classroom, greenhouse and field, learning real-world agricultural practices from day one. Students help grow commercial-scale crops and conduct research relevant to the region. From hydroponics and greenhouse management to operating unmanned aerial systems (UAS) and cutting-edge equipment guided by geographic information systems (GIS) and global positioning systems (GPS), students gain practical, highly sought-after skills.
Thanks to generous supporters, CBC’s Agriculture program continues to innovate and grow, positively impacting the community and broader industry.
LEARN MORE ABOUT CBC’S CAREER LAUNCH PROGRAMENDORSED AGRICULTURE PROGRAM AT COLUMBIABASIN.EDU/AGRICULTURE.
DID YOU KNOW?
CBC’s Agriculture program trains students for rewarding careers in a wide range of fields, including:
› Agribusiness Marketing Manager
› Production Manager
› Sales Representative
› Field Personnel
› Agronomist
› Agricultural Technicians
› Precision Agriculture Specialist
› Farm and Ranch Manager
› Agriculture Educator
› Greenhouse Manager