Agriculture Feeds the Washington Economy Number of farms in Washington: 35,500 Revenue from Washington food processing Wages from these jobs: $21.59 billion
Commercial crops grown in Washington: 300+ Top 10 commodities: apples, milk,
industry: $20.1 billion Value of food and ag exports: $6.7 billion
Economic output from these jobs: $71.27 billion
Jobs related to food and agriculture: 480,500+
potatoes, wheat, cattle, hops, hay, cherries, grapes, onions
Value of Washington crops and livestock: $10.6 billion
SOURCE: WASHINGTON STATE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
SOURCE: FEEDINGTHEECONOMY.COM
Such collaborations allow students to apply the concepts they learn in the classroom to solve an agribusiness prob- lem and, at the same time, build a stand- out resume, Claudia Dumitrescu said. Expanding to Applied Technology The agribusiness program’s flexible, real-world focus will continue with the next minor/certificate, Applied Tech - nology, which will first be offered in Fall 2022. Courses will include topics in agribusiness technology, data-driven problem solving, data visualization, analytics, logistics, and more. Dan Maycock—data engineering prin - cipal and one of the co-founders
of Loftus Labs and a College of Busi- ness Leadership Board member—is among the industry leaders helping shape this track. He grew up in Prosser, studied at Washington State University, and moved to Seattle to work in tech before deciding to return home and use his skills to support agriculture. He said Central’s agribusiness program can draw data-focused students who might otherwise work in urban areas, as well as expand the digital skills of students who know they want careers in agriculture. “We’re facing crises in our environment and culture, and rural communities are
getting hit like never before,” Maycock said. “We need to be more aware of what’s happening with food as a soci- ety and build technologies and solu- tions to change the course of where farming is headed.” He hopes to see Central bridge Wash - ington’s technology and agriculture sectors and serve as a model for rural universities everywhere. He encouraged other alumni to get involved with the program, no matter their field. “It can be life-changing for students, and it could be world-changing for everyone else,” he said.
iness Sector and agriculture industries
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