Big Bend Ag Program receives NWFCS Rural Community Grant

Group of 5 receiving a check — Pictured (L to R) NWFCS Credit Office Dany Cavadini, Northwest FCS Relationship Manager Scott Winkler, BBCC President Terry Leas, BBCC Dean of Workforce Education Daneen Berry-Guerin, and BBCC Foundation Executive Director LeAnne Parton.

BIG BEND COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Office of Communications

MOSES LAKE — Big Bend Community College’s Agricultural Program got some help from Northwest Farm Credit Services (NWFCS) to help outfit the program’s new home in the Workforce Education Center (WEC) — a new 129,000 square foot facility set to open this fall.

The Agricultural Department was awarded $2,000 as part of the NWFCS Rural Community Grant Program and plans to use the money to help outfit its Plant and Soil Science Lab.

“The NWFCS Rural Community Grant Program is a great way to give back to our community. Since its inception, over $1.8 million in grants have been awarded to various organizations in our territory (WA, OR, ID, MT),” said NWFCS Credit Officer Dany Cavadini. “Northwest is happy to support the new BBCC Workforce Education Center as it will provide students the opportunity to gain hands-on experience through their education which is extremely valuable to the success of the BBCC students and our community.”

The WEC will feature more than 30,000 square feet of two-story lab space with second-floor viewing windows into the labs. It will house state-of-the-art technology, individual and communal study areas, and a 3,000 square foot collaborative lab space.

“Community partners such as Northwest Farm Credit Services are helping us to provide critical skills, certifications, and hands-on learning to our students at Big Bend Community College,” said Executive Director of the BBCC College Foundation LeAnne Parton. “The new Workforce Education Center will provide an environment that fosters cutting-edge learning and give students the education and experience to obtain in-demand positions and eventually succeed in the workplace.”

Northwest FCS is an $11 billion financial cooperative providing financing and related services to farmers, ranchers, agribusinesses, commercial fishermen, timber producers, rural homeowners and crop insurance customers in Montana, Idaho, Oregon, Washington and Alaska. Northwest FCS is a member of the nationwide Farm Credit System that supports agriculture and rural communities with reliable, consistent credit and financial services. For more information, go to northwestfcs.com.