Classes for Hispanics

Geraldine Warner & Melissa Hansen

Wenatchee Valley College will offer two employee educational programs for the 2012-2013 academic year—level one of its Hispanic Orchard Employee Education Program and level one of a similar viticulture program. The orchard program will be taught at the Wenatchee campus and at the Grandview campus of the Yakima Valley Community College; the viticulture course will be at the Grandview campus only.

Both programs share a similar format, running from November 7 to March 20 for the Wenatchee-based class and from November 9 to March 22 for the Grandview classes.

This introductory level of the horticulture program  introduces students to the principles and practices of fruit production in Washington. Topics include canopy management, site selection and orchard establishment, soils, plant nutrition, irrigation scheduling, crop ­management, pest control, equipment calibration, human resources management, harvest, orchard/
vineyard economics, and food safety.

The curriculum for the level-one viticulture class includes the history of viticulture in Washington, plant physiology, vineyard establishment, soils, plant nutrition, irrigation, human resources management, vineyard economics, harvest, and canopy management. Students of the viticulture program give a presentation at the end of the course, with employers invited to attend.

Both the horticulture and viticulture programs also cover English terminology, basic math, computer applications, and civics, and prepare students for other HOEEP classes focusing on advanced horticulture, integrated pest management, and farm management.

Classes at Wenatchee run each Wednesday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Grandview horticulture and viticulture classes will meet concurrently each Friday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Both programs include at least two field trips and attendance at the Washington State Horticultural Association’s annual meeting or the Washington Association of Wine Grape Growers’ annual meeting for the viticulture class members. Students earn 8 to 10 pesticide license recertification credits.

The college waives tuition for the students, but employers or students are responsible for paying special fees. The orchard program fees are about $180. Fees for the viticulture program are $250, covering the costs of field trips, books, and other related expenses. Space in the classes is limited and students are admitted on a first-come, first-served basis.

Wenatchee Valley College established the HOEEP program 19 years ago. Since then, 1,250 students have graduated from the program.

For information or to register, contact Leo García at (509) 860-2267, e-mail lgarcía@wvc.edu, or Francisco Sarmiento at (509) 860-2283, e-mail fsarmiento@wvc.edu.

Bioenergy Operations

The Bioenergy Operations program is focused on developing a skilled workforce for Biofuels Plants, Pulp and Paper Miller, Utilities, Food Processors, Forest Products Manufacturers, Waster Management and Recycling Facilities, Wastewater Treatment Plants, and other similar conversion facilities.

Click HERE for more information!

Ag Professional -Spring soil nitrogen following the drought of 2012

Last fall, with funding provided through the Illinois Council for Best Management Practices (C-BMP), Growmark, C-BMP, and the University of Illinois, the N-Watch soil sampling program was initiated to see how much inorganic N remained in the soil following the drought of 2012.

Fall sampling revealed fairly high amounts of soil N, with 151 samples statewide averaging 19.5 ppm of nitrate-N in the top foot of soil. We multiply this time 4 to get lb of N per acre, so soils represented by these samples had an average of 78 lb of nitrate-N per acre. Samples from northern Illinois had higher levels (26 ppm) than those from central and southern Illinois (both 18 ppm), even though 2012 corn yields in northern Illinois were higher than in central or southern Illinois. The second foot of soil depth had more than 15 ppm of nitrate-N, which meant another 62 lb of nitrate-N per acre, for a total of 140 lb N per acre…. Read More

WA Hay Growers Scholarship 13/14

WSHGA Scholarship

The Washington State Hay Growers Association is pleased to offer two $1,000 scholarships for the 2013/2014 school year. The WSHGA will give preference in the following order:

1. Members of the WSHGA (and family) in agriculture
2. non members in agriculture, and
3. Members in other fields.

Contact the WSHGA Association office for an application/guidelines or click on the link below.

http://www.wa-hay.org/business/scholarships.html

APPLICATION DEADLINE MAY 15, 2013.