Agriculture: Sustainable Agriculture and Resource Systems

Within the sustainable agriculture and resource systems program, WVC offers a non-transfer associate of technical science (ATS) in several pathways and associate in applied science-transfer (AAS-T)** degrees in sustainable and organic agriculture, horticulture and tree fruit production, general agriculture and agritechnologies. Interested students should work closely with agriculture advisers in order to plan their studies to reach their individual goals in an expeditious manner.

• The ATS degree prepares students for employment in agriculture and related fields. The pathways are general agriculture, agribusiness, horticulture and tree fruit production, sustainable and organic agriculture, and agriculture technology.

• WVC has articulations with the Washington State University College of Agricultural, Human, and Natural Resources Sciences (CAHNRS) that allows WVC students to transfer to WSU with an AAS-T** in sustainable and organic agriculture, horticulture and tree fruit production, general agriculture, or agritechnologies.

• The Hispanic Orchard Employee Education Program (HOEEP) offers several certificate programs to increase the professional abilities of agricultural employees and their contributions to the operations of their respective employment settings. The programs are taught in Spanish, but all students should have basic English conversational skills and some ability to read and write in Spanish when entering these programs. Each program includes applied English, mathematics and computer applications instruction and a civics component which covers everyday life situations. These programs are:

  • HOEEP II Advanced Horticulture: builds on the introductory class, focusing on a production system approach
  • HOEEP III Integrated Pest Management Technician: prepares students as pest management scouts and assistance for apple, pear and cherry IPM projects
  • HOEEP IV Farm Management: introduces the principles and practices of farm management
  • HOEEP V Introduction to Viticulture: introduces the production and management of wine and juice grape vineyards
  • HOEEP VI Advanced Viticulture: builds on the introductory class, focusing on a production system approach
  • HOEEP VII Integrated Pest Management Technician and Vineyard Management: prepares Latino vineyard employees as pest management scouts and introduces them to basic vineyard economies and management.

Core program courses may have prerequisite requirements. English and mathematics courses require qualifying placement scores or acceptable preparatory coursework in those subjects. See the course descriptions for details.