Starting this fall, Walla Walla Community College will offer the first Bachelors of Applied Science in Sustainable Agriculture Systems in Washington.  The BAS program is not new in the Evergreen state; it’s been around since 2005.  However, this will be the first program focused on ag.

 

“We have a lot of interest.  It’s something that’s needed in our valley and our region," said Cristie Crawford Educational & Career Navigator at WWCC.  "We need to get students at the bachelor’s level degree, so they can peruse an upper level positions, move up in management and get that broader systems view of agriculture.”

 

Crawford added WWCC is a perfect fit to launch this BAS.

 

“We had to do a lot of studies to prove to the state board of higher education that this was something that is needed in our region, that employers are looking for students with an agricultural foundation and with that knowledge and we had to demonstrate that there is a job market out there for our students.”

 

WWCC plans to launch a second BAS, focused on Applied Management and Entrepreneurship in the Fall of 2019.  Crawford said that degree will be a great ft for anyone interested in owning their own ag business.

 

 

 

 

 

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