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Begin Your Agriculture Major or Career at Black Hawk College

To meet the demands of an ever-changing agriculture industry, the Agriculture Department at East Campus offers advanced training in career and transfer programs so you are ready to transfer to a four-year institution or enter the workforce.

Where Champions are Made

When you become a student at East Campus, you join a family of champions. A long tradition of excellence in our ag programs and nationally recognized judging and show teams is going strong!

Department Highlights

Ag-Related Careers

Our graduates hold positions in agribusiness management, crop and livestock production, veterinary clinics and hospitals, and ag equipment dealerships. They are mechanics, farm operators, herdsmen, riding instructors and horse trainers.

Facilities

BHC’s East Campus has specialized ag facilities, including an agricultural mechanics lab, equine facility, greenhouse and veterinary hospital.

Internships

Students complete two internships as part of the Associate in Applied Science degree. Black Hawk College also offers internships to students in an ag education/FFA program as part of the Growing Agriculture Science Teachers Grant through the Illinois State Board of Education.

Hands-On Instruction

Faculty emphasize hands-on instruction in all coursework. Instructional labs are held off-site in many courses to keep learning connected to a changing industry.

Competitive Teams

  • Crops & Soils Judging Team
  • Horse Judging Team
  • Hunter Seat Show Team
  • Intercollegiate Horse Show Association (IHSA) Teams
  • Livestock Judging Team
  • Western Show Team

Learn more about competitive ag teams

Student Clubs

  • Agribusiness Club
  • Auto/Ag Mechanics Club
  • Horticulture Club
  • Sci Pi Club

Scholarship Opportunities

  • BHC Presidential Scholarship: In-district high school seniors in the top 10% of their graduating class at the end of seven semesters are eligible for the Black Hawk College Presidential Scholars Award.
  • Other scholarship opportunities can be found at the BHC scholarships page. A number of faculty-chosen ag and equine scholarships are also available.
  • Transfer scholarships are also available at many transfer institutions.

Special Events on Campus

  • Ag Visit Days
  • Ag Recognition Reception
  • FFA judging and leadership contests
  • Roping and barrel racing clinics
  • Speed Show Series

Career and Transfer Program Information

If you plan to go right into the workforce after graduation, you can earn a certificate or Associate in Applied Science degree by enrolling in one of the career programs offered through the department.

If you plan to transfer to a university, work with your advisor to customize a transfer plan. BHC also has transfer guides and agreements already established with four-year institutions in a variety of ag-related majors.

Department Faculty

Blake Bloomberg, Ph.D.
Associate Professor, Animal Science
309-854-1835
EC Building B, Room 223
Aaron Callahan, B.S.
Professor, Equestrian Science
309-854-1841
EC Building 7, Room 103
Drew Cotton, M.S.
Department Co-Chair & Professor, Horse Science
309-854-1842
EC Building A, Room 122
Patrick Ericson
Instructor, Welding
309-854-6506
WSTC, Room 118
Olivia Henning, M.S.
Instructor, Equestrian Science
309-854-1840
EC Building 7, Room 105
Jason Grice, AAS
Department Co-Chair & Professor, ASE Certifications Auto Mechanics
309-854-1839
EC Building B, Room 233
Rebekah Irish, B.S.
Instructor, Equestrian Science
309-854-1838
EC Building 7, Room 104
Janet Johnson, AAS, CVT
Asst. Professor & Director, Veterinary Sciences
309-854-1985
EC Veterinary Sciences Center, Room 103
Gregory Jurgensen, AAS, CVT
Asst. Professor, Veterinary Sciences
309-854-1992
EC Veterinary Sciences Center, Room 102
Andrew Larson, M.S.
Professor, Agronomy
309-854-1830
EC Building B, Room 223
Leah Michel, AAS, CVT
Instructor, Veterinary Sciences
309-854-1727
EC Veterinary Sciences Center, Room 102
Gary Werkheiser, B.S.
Professor, Mechanics
309-854-1833
EC Building B, Room 116
Cole Wright
Instructor, Agribusiness
309-854-1836
EC Building A, Room 121

Events

25Jan
1-25-2025 // 9:00 am – 12:00 pm

Teddy Bear Hospital

01Feb
2-01-2025 // 9:00 am – 3:00 pm

2025 Youth Horse Judging Workshop

02Feb
2-02-2025 // 9:00 am – 3:00 pm

2025 Youth Horse Judging Workshop

Contact Agriculture

East Campus
Building B, Room 214

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