Agriculture

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!

2023 East Campus Aggie Yearbook (flipbook)

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

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.
Transfer Guides and Agreements »
Transfer from Career Programs »