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.

cover of East Campus Aggie Yearbook

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

Group of students with ribbons & East Campus Equine Program banner

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 »

Program Name Code Award Credits Category Department Keywords
Program Name Code Award Credits Category Department Keywords
Welding Certificate 5855 Certificate 31 Trade and Technical Career Programs Agriculture
Associate in Science – Ag Transfer 1519 AS Degree 64 Agriculture
Associate in Science 1645 AS Degree 60 AgricultureArt, Design and Performing ArtsBusiness, Computer and Engineering TechnologyEnglish, Reading & CommunicationESL, Languages, Humanities, Philosophy & SpeechHealth and Human ServicesMathematicsNatural Sciences & EngineeringPsychology and SociologySocial Sciences
Associate in Arts 1145 AA Degree 60 AgricultureArt, Design and Performing ArtsBusiness, Computer and Engineering TechnologyEnglish, Reading & CommunicationESL, Languages, Humanities, Philosophy & SpeechHealth and Human ServicesMathematicsNatural Sciences & EngineeringPsychology and SociologySocial Sciences
Wheel Alignment/Suspension Certificate 5614 Certificate 16 Trade and Technical Career Programs Agriculture car, automotive
Shielded Metal Arc Welding Certificate 5870 Certificate 17 Trade and Technical Career Programs Agriculture
Gas Metal Arc Welding Certificate 5866 Certificate 14 Trade and Technical Career Programs Agriculture
Brake Specialist Certificate 5612 Certificate 15 Trade and Technical Career Programs Agriculture car, automotive
Automotive Repair Technology (AAS) 9398 AAS Degree 67 Trade and Technical Career Programs Agriculture car
Automotive Repair Certificate 5810 Certificate 36 Trade and Technical Career Programs Agriculture car
Air Conditioning Specialist Certificate 5613 Certificate 12 Trade and Technical Career Programs Agriculture
Agriculture Mechanics Technology (AAS) 9181 AAS Degree 61 Trade and Technical Career Programs Agriculture
Agriculture Mechanics Certificate 9683 Certificate 40 Trade and Technical Career Programs Agriculture
Veterinary Technology (AAS) 5017 AAS Degree 80 Agriculture Career Programs Agriculture animals, vet tech, veterinary, technology
Veterinary Assisting Certificate 5127 Certificate 33 Agriculture Career Programs Agriculture animals
Horse Science Technology Certificate 9599 Certificate 30 Agriculture Career Programs Agriculture animal, horse, equine
Horse Science Technology (AAS) 9099 AAS Degree 70 Agriculture Career Programs Agriculture animal, horse, equine
Equestrian Science (AAS) 9096 AAS Degree 70 Agriculture Career Programs Agriculture animal, horse, equine
Agriculture Production (Certificate) 9541, 9543, 9544 Certificate 12 Agriculture Career Programs Agriculture
Agriculture Production Technology (AAS) 9141 AAS Degree 71 Agriculture Career Programs Agriculture
Agribusiness Management Horticulture Option (AAS) 9242 AAS Degree 69 Agriculture Career Programs Agriculture
Agribusiness Management – Crop Protection Technology Option (AAS) 9143 AAS Degree 72 Agriculture Career Programs Agriculture
Agribusiness Management (AAS) 9142 AAS Degree 71 Agriculture Career Programs Agriculture
Advanced Large Animal Technician Certificate 5717 Certificate 15 Agriculture Career Programs Agriculture veterinary, vet tech
Advanced Veterinary Office Management Certificate 5817 Certificate 13 Agriculture Career Programs Agriculture animal