The goals of Linn-Benton Community College (LBCC) students are as diverse as their backgrounds. Some are here to earn a degree and transfer to a four-year university. Others come for career technical education that leads directly to employment opportunities in our local communities. Some are returning to school after decades in the workforce, seeking new skills to take on a new career path.
Founded in 1972, the LBCC Foundation is a registered 501(c)(3) charitable non-profit organization dedicated to supporting the students and programs at LBCC. We believe all students have the right to access education by providing an education for all. The LBCC Foundation makes it possible to match our donor’s f inancial support to students, making their educational journey successful as well as supporting our internal programs.
LBCC’s commitment to agricultural education runs deep. Our equine center, located just miles from the main campus, has long served as a cornerstone of our agricultural programs. In 2019, LBCC took a significant step forward with the acquisition of 53 acres of land south of the main campus, opening new possibilities for expanded agricultural programming. This expansion garnered strong community support, with the state providing $8 million in appropriation funds and the voters of Linn and Benton counties passing a bond in 2022 to match this funding. This show of support from both the state and our local community demonstrates the vital importance of agricultural education to our region’s future.
An arial rendering of the LBCC Agricultural Center
Supporting the Next Generation of Farmers
Agriculture is the leading employer in Oregon, and between Linn and Benton counties, farm-related income makes up 26% of both counties. Producing farms have increased by 7% in Linn County and 8% in Benton County in the last five years. To educate and equip the next generation of farmers, LBCC will have a vital role to play in educating students to take on the farm industry as it continues to be the backbone of our country.
The average age of farmers in our region is 64 years old. Less than 10% of farmers in Linn County are under the age 4 LBCC Agricultural Center graduates to meet the need for animal care in Oregon and the region. of 35. For the younger generation who are seeking an education in agriculture, they are currently limited to the ag programs offered at LBCC or they must leave their families and homes for programs out of state. LBCC is looking to expand the current agricultural programs to include hands-on learning labs, add facilities to allow for research, and increase the variety of livestock. Building out the learning facilities will allow for the expansion of programs and responding to the needs of the industry, including expanding into soil production in the future.
By adding sheep, swine, and cows to the programs - which already include equine - LBCC will be better equipped to help students learn, study, and practice with the most common livestock our farms in the area have. The lack of a diverse livestock work practice is one of the current program’s biggest challenges.
There is a void of a comparable education agricultural center from Seattle to the San Francisco Bay Area. Housing the new center in Linn county will put LBCC on the map for the region, as well as nationally.
The Federal Farm Act is in the process of revisions which would have investment from the Federal level into 2 year agricultural education. This will be the first federal commitment to community colleges across the country and it illustrates how vital agriculture is for our nation. LBCC has already been identified as a recipient of the federal aid, once approved.
Our Solution: A State-of-the-Art AG Center
To expand the agricultural programs to better serve our community’s needs, the Foundation has a goal to raise $6 million to help close the funding gap for a new state-of-theart Agricultural Center. This facility will house expanded programs in animal health and agriculture, preparing students for high-demand careers in these fields.
One of the high-demand careers is Veterinary Technicians (“Vet Techs”). There is a critical shortage of educated Vet Techs – particularly in working with large animal care. There are currently only two programs in Oregon for Vet Techs, and with small cohorts of 24 students each, there are not enough graduates to meet the need for animal care in Oregon and the region.
LBCC’s Vet Tech program would fulfill the need for Vet Techs and will be the only program of its kind in the area working with large animal care. The program will continue to partner with Oregon State University’s (OSU) Veterinary Program with practicum opportunities. As the Vet Tech program is a two-year program, it has a natural home at the community college level.
The new center will allow for the agricultural program to expand, grow the number of students for all programs, and offer on-farm work experience with an income generating experience. Linn county leads the nation in grass seed sales, and it will be a natural expansion of programming focused on soil production in the future. Hay and grass seed together generate over $1Billion in annual revenue for Oregon farmers.
Beyond meeting workforce demands, the Agricultural Center will also serve as a hub for community engagement, offering educational events, industry conferences, and collaborative opportunities for local businesses supporting local ag programs like 4H, FFA, and ONSET. The large arena space will fulfill the growing need of organizations to host community events.
Be a part of ushering in the next phase of agricultural programming at LBCC. Over the next few years, be at the forefront of the change we want to see in supporting our students and providing an educated workforce for the next generation’s farmers. As farming continues to be fundamental to keeping food on our tables, invest in education. Invest in your community.
Every gift – no matter its size – makes a difference. Your support enables us to continue offering innovative and accessible programs in agriculture. For more information about how you can make a difference, please call our Foundation Office at 541-917-4561 or email us at foundation@linnbenton.edu.
