Agriculture

Agricultural program graduates are in high demand and have many career opportunities locally, regionally and nationally. The agricultural sector is the largest employer in Grant County, accounting for 27% of jobs countywide (Washington State Employment Security Department). The agricultural sector in our area alone provides our graduates access to opportunities in areas such as management, processing, crop production, and agricultural sales and services.

Students have the option of selecting from a transfer degree including three articulated pathways with Washington State University programs or a non-transfer degree that is supported by local industry to meet their training needs for graduates entering the workforce. To learn more about our degree options, please click the button below.

Program Outcomes

Career Possibilities

Transfer Options

Industry Connections

Scholarships & Grants

Students will show knowledge of workplace safety when handling food, chemical/pesticides, and equipment.
Students will select and use the appropriate precision and software application technology.
Students will demonstrate critical-thinking and problem-solving skills as they make decisions in agricultural management situations.
Students will demonstrate knowledge of scientific principles when applied to a variety of crop production systems.
Students will demonstrate application of agricultural knowledge and resources to solve problems and perform relevant activities.
Students will demonstrate knowledge of business principles when applied to agricultural businesses and operations.
Students will collect and evaluate data from various technologies and make management decisions from the data collected.
Students will apply the rules, protocols, and safety required to operate an unmanned aerial system for commercial agriculture purposes.
Students will be able to communicate clearly and effectively within a workplace context.
Students will be able to reason mathematically using methods appropriate to the profession.
Students will be able to demonstrate teamwork and/or workplace specific skills related to human relations.

Agronomist
Ag Marketing & Sales
Agricultural Production Manager
Crop Consultant
Crop Insurance Specialist
Farm/Ranch Manager
Field Representative
Agriculture Researcher
Agriculture Lobbyist
Food Safety Manager
Water Conservationist
Agriculture Food Scientist
Soil Engineer
WSDA Employee

For job shadows, tours, and internships, check out the Career Services.

Agriculture Technology and Management to BAS-AM
Washington State University
Walla Walla Community College
- BAS – Agricultural Systems
Eastern Washington University
Central Washington University

Big Bend Community College is located in the heart of Grant County – ranked as the number one county in Washington for market value of agricultural production (U.S. Dept. of Agriculture 2012 Census).

BBCC Scholarships

The following scholarships are available through the Big Bend Community College Foundation https://bbcc.awardspring.com/. Listed below are the agriculture-specific scholarships. Applying for the foundation scholarships will make you eligible for these scholarships as well as many others.

Barry Kirkwood Scholarship
Preference to student majoring in agriculture or a related program of study. If no qualified applicant in the agriculture field, scholarship will be awarded at the discretion of the selection committee.
Charles (Chuck) Huston Memorial Scholarship
Second year, academic track student in agriculture or the sciences (hard sciences—not social sciences). Applicant must have a 3.0 to be considered for the scholarship. Economic need of student is equally important as grade point. Applicants are encouraged to have completed the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at www.fafsa.gov or the Washington Application for State Financial Aid (WASFA) at http://readysetgrad.org/wasfa to assist in the selection process.
DeForest “Huck” Fuller/Moses Lake Grange Scholarship
Preference given to descendants of Grange members, students from farm families, or students from families who work in agriculture-related industries. Minimum GPA to apply is 3.0 in high school or 2.75 in college. Must maintain a GPA of 2.75 at BBCC. Applicant must be a resident of Grant County for a minimum of three years.
Ferne Daniel Family Scholarship
Education or Agriculture major, meet financial eligibility as determined by the Financial Aid Office, applying for first year at BBCC, with the scholarship renewable for the 2nd year to the same student, if needed. Applicants are encouraged to have completed the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at www.fafsa.gov or the Washington Application for State Financial Aid (WASFA) at http://readysetgrad.org/wasfa to assist in the selection process.
John Michael Shinn Memorial Scholarship
One year scholarship for a 2nd-year student majoring in Agriculture and/or the sciences (hard sciences—not social sciences). Student must show promise of developing into a creative thinker and experimenter. NOTE: Applicants for this scholarship must attach a written explanation of qualifications with the criteria. Please attach to the completed application. In addition, please provide supported explanation or references from the community.
Paul Hirai family Scholarship
Open to potential and current BBCC students. First preference given to members of farm families. Agriculture major or program related to occupations serving production agriculture.
White Tail Grange Scholarship
Must be a resident of the BBCC service district for at least five years and a graduate of a high school in the service district. Minimum GPA to apply is 3.0 in high school or 2.75 in college. First preference is given to members of farm families. Agriculture major or program related to occupations serving production agriculture.
Washington State Potato Commission
This full-time scholarship is available to academic-track students in Agriculture. Students must be in good standing with a GPA of 2.5 or better.
Northwest Farm Credit Services
This scholarship is available to Agriculture majors with a GPA of 2.5 or higher.