West Hills College Coalinga Farm of the Future. PreParing students to HelP Feed the World

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1 West Hills College Coalinga Farm of the Future PreParing students to HelP Feed the World

2 Farm of the Future, your help is needed now The abundance of California s agriculture production helps feed the nation and the world. It also provides many of the top jobs in the Central Valley. West Hills is committed to training students prepared for those careers. With an investment of more than $25 million in the Farm of the Future, West Hills is poised to be a leader in ag education. But we need your help. The Farm of the Future at West Hills College Coalinga was started in 2001 with a 213-acre gift of land by Dorothy Allen s family. Since then, local voters approved bond issues for new buildings and facilities including shops, classrooms and a new rodeo arena. State and federal grants, local donors and industry partnerships have provided additional resources. Classrooms are equipped with computers, software and simulation equipment to teach students to operate farm equipment and machinery featuring precision agriculture practices. There s a modern welding shop and fertile fields of row crops and nut trees, all watered, tended and harvested by students and faculty. A new solar field allows wells to be used for student enterprise projects that are divided into five-acre parcels. There is more to be done. The district s foundation, which raises funds for scholarships, equipment and maintenance of college facilities, launched an endowment drive for the Farm of the Future. The goal is to raise $5 million. to provide 40 scholarships each year to attract students to careers in agriculture and to provide a stable funding source for ag classes despite the State s budget issues. Private sector support will be a critical factor as the college continues to build its Ag program. To discuss how you can help, please contact Frances Squire, executive director of the West Hills College Foundation at (559) or francessquire@whccd.edu

3 Going through the PCA program, doing the technical and the more hands-on learning instead of just books really pushed me to continue my education so that I could end up with the job I have today. Mike Howard PCa, wilbur ellis Co.

4 I was able to actually use all the latest technologies for agriculture production - like GPS-guided tractors, variable rate spraying systems and GIS mapping tools. We were also able to make industry connections that could be very valuable down the road. luke HiCks FarM ManaGer, warren HiCks ranch My favorite part of attending WHC has been the knowledgeable and helpful faculty. I received encouragement, guidance and job search recommendations. I ve been able to maintain a flexible class schedule and still continue to work full time. I owe a lot of my job success to WHC. Without them I couldn t be doing what I do today. andrew Finster agronomist, s & w seed CoMPany

5 Without the information I learned about precision farming and application products at West Hills, I would not have the job that I have today. The foothold I was able to get with Ag Leader was because of the knowledge I learned at West Hills. They hired me because I have a bachelor s degree, but when they were actually asking me questions about the job, those answers came from my time at West Hills. Kerri Birdwell West Coast Territory Manager, Ag Leader Technology It was a learning experience throughout the whole PCA program. Everything was new for me. I grew up on the farm, but I never got to ride the tractor or do things by myself. Once I got to West Hills, I got on the tractor by myself. You don t learn how to do it until you try it. We did a lot of hands-on projects. That s what I liked. Mercedes Rubio PCA, Rubio Farm

6 Instead of just being on a computer and learning from a book, we did a lot of hands-on training. We went out and we worked. A lot of employers pass on students who don t have the experience needed. I had experience working through West Hills, so I got a job that was good. roberto bravo GPs/Gis analyst, J.G. boswell Please help us now: $5 Million Establishes a Farm of the Future endowment $25,000 establishes a scholarship in perpetuity bearing your name $5,000 provides tuition and books for one student for two years $2,500 provides tuition and books for one student for one year To learn how you can help, please contact the West Hills Community College Foundation, or visit: Cody, Coalinga, CA 93210