BC Breaks Ground On New Facility Set To Transform The Student Experience In Agriculture Programs

11/30/23
BC administrators posing with shovels and hardhats

Thursday, November 30, 2023

Bakersfield College celebrated a significant milestone today with the groundbreaking ceremony for its new Agriculture Sciences building. The event marked the commencement of construction on a cutting edge, 3-story facility that will revolutionize the learning experience for students within the College’s top-ranked agriculture program.

Funded by Measure J, a $502 million bond passed in November 2016, the new Agriculture Sciences building is planned to include an impressive 49,546 square feet of total building area, which includes exterior covered areas. Designed as an all-electric building, it will exceed Title 24 standards by more than 24%, showcasing BC's commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship.

This state-of-the-art learning space will be a hub of innovation, providing students and faculty with cutting-edge resources to advance research and education in agriculture. The building will house food production and sciences facilities, a mechanized agricultural workshop, and a range of agricultural sciences labs, including those for tissue/growth, animal studies, vet tech, horticulture, soils, plant science, and forestry.

In addition to the building itself, the project includes extensive site improvements aimed at creating a dynamic and conducive learning environment. New greenhouses, shade houses, storage bays, seating areas, planters, and accessible routes throughout the site will further enhance the overall experience for students and faculty alike.

The new Bakersfield College Agriculture Sciences building is scheduled to be completed in December 2025.

hard hats and shovels at the goundbreaking site
BC interim president Steve Watkin speaking to attendees during ceremony
ceremony attendees sitting under an awning
BC associate vice president of instruction Jessica Wojtysiak speaking to attendees during ceremony
attendees socializing before ceremony
attendees listening to speaker on stage during ceremony