The word agriculture conjures up visions of the famous painting by Grant Wood depicting a Midwestern farmer holding a pitchfork and his stoic daughter standing beside him. However, as Walla Walla Community College Agriculture Science Instructor, Tyler Cox says,” American Gothic – that’s not us.”
Even though he denies association with characters in that famous painting, Cox could be cast as the quintessential cowboy; with his slow drawl and waxed mustache, he fits the bill as a sheriff in a Western movie. He’s aware of his and agriculture’s image but he says, “There’s more computing power on board in Ag than there are tractors. I need students who can deal with technologies, work with the public, and understand the root science. I have no need for students who know how to work a shovel.”
Technology versus the land is an odd contradiction but they are both necessary for agriculture. Students can earn a degree or a certificate and study everything from agricultural business to plant and soil science from enology and viticulture to environment and ecosystems science. The options are limitless.
“I have employers who are screaming at us for students to fill jobs. These are not menial labor jobs – these are career jobs. We’ve got the best students, employers, and opportunities,” says Cox.
We visited an animal science class that Cox is teaching. It’s a great field of study for students who want a blend of lively classroom learning, fascinating labs, and hands-on fieldwork. Students learn how to keep animals healthy and well-fed. They also learn about meat processing and develop valuable skills for business. “What we’re doing is highly applicable to what we do here in our local area,” says Cox.
The students were preparing in class to go to a bull sale. “We’re in bull buying season and the students are going out to assess and buy some bulls with me. I’m trying to provide our students with as much real-world, hands-on experience as we can.”
They traveled to the sale to evaluate the bulls and determine which were the best for fertilizing Heffers and creating a healthy herd. The students were required to write up a report of which bulls they preferred and why they thought they were the best.
Student, Karlie Fischer’s family are farmers and ranchers. They produce hay and Walla Walla Sweet Onions; she worked their fruit stand as a child. She also participates on the college rodeo team, “I already love it (agricultural studies). It’s not like going to high school where you have to learn what they tell you. You get to learn what you love.”
Charlie Lacher was also raised around agriculture. Her grandparents got her involved in Future Farms of America (FFA) and Supervised Agriculture Experience (SAE). She already had experience with cattle because she showed steers in FFA. “You drag them around by a lead when they’re 500 pounds and then they think you are the greatest. They’re like big dogs,” she grins.
Another student, Arvin Lioanag, had no experience with agriculture. He worked in IT in San Francisco for 25 years. He moved to Walla Walla during the COVID Pandemic to be near his sister. He drove by WWCC and thought it would be a good idea to see what was available. “I wasn’t planning on going into Ag but the economics are very interesting. I’m enjoying learning about cattle.”
The students are very hands on with the cattle. In fact, it is calving season, and many calves are being born on campus. “Once a week I’ve got my students out with the cattle,” says Cox. “It’s a 5-minute walk from the classroom to the barn.”
Alexis Atencio has had a lot of experience with cattle in the classroom and during an internship she landed through her program. She was able to watch how veterinarians collect embryos from cows and collect semen from bulls.
Fellow student, Holly Galloway, is already an office manager for Nutrient Ag Solutions located directly across from campus. “I like that what I’m learning is applicable. You learn what you’re going to need to know for your future.”
