A new instruction plan at Big Bend Community College (BBCC) has partnered with Skone Irrigation, Reinke and the Washington State Potato Commission (WSPC) to give students the hands-on opportunity to learn about new technologies being utilized in fields across the country.
“It is really a brand-new plan to train individuals to do repairs and installation from the mechanized irrigation program,” Angela Pixton, the mastermind behind the program, said.
Pixton, who functions with BBCC and WSPC, mentioned the university needed a place for students to receive the training to make an impact in the agricultural world.
The year-long Mechanized Irrigation System Technology plan that focuses on center pivot irrigation and provides a hands-on training is located at 1775 S.E. Highway 17, which utilized to be the Moses Lake Conservation District nursery. This kind of irrigation is substantial for municipalities, golf courses and other organizations, additionally to agricultural fields, Pixton mentioned.
“It fulfills lots of needs,” she mentioned. “There are thousands and thousands of center pivots available. We are pretty excited to see the university react to the need.”
Frank Martinez, a WSPC commissioner, said this system is particularly important for his group.
“The potato commission is grower-based,” Martinez mentioned. “I’d say 95 percent of all potatoes are grown utilizing center pivot irrigation. This really is correct up our alley.”
He said having more people instruction on this irrigation program is an excellent point, simply because it has currently made an impact on the industry.
“Center pivots are the best thing to ever happen to potatoes,” Martinez said.
To assist get the instruction program off the ground, WSPC is awarding eight $2,000 scholarships for students starting in the fall.
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