Last Updated on April 15, 2026 by Jordan Monaco
PENDLETON, OR — Blue Mountain Community College (BMCC) is bringing real-world agricultural education to life through a new partnership with Beef Northwest Feeders, offering local high school students a unique, hands-on experience in raising and finishing cattle.
The program, known as Prime Start, launched this year with six Umatilla County high school students selected to participate. Each student is responsible for caring for a steer—managing daily feeding, monitoring animal health, maintaining records, and tracking growth and performance data throughout the process.
As the program reaches its next phase, those same six steers will be processed at the BMCC Meat Science Lab later this spring—creating a full-circle learning experience from pasture to product.
On Saturday, May 30, BMCC will host the students at the FARM for an immersive workshop led by Meat Science Lab Technician Sara Garrow, where participants will dive deeper into the science and business behind beef production. The workshop will cover yield and quality grading, carcass composition, retail value, and fabrication techniques.
“This is where everything connects,” said Garrow. “Students have spent months raising these animals—tracking their growth, making decisions, and putting in the work. Now they get to see how that translates into the final product that reaches consumers. It’s a powerful moment of understanding the full scope of the industry.”
By working directly with the same cattle they raised, students will be able to compare their recorded data on growth and efficiency to actual yield and quality outcomes—an experience that bridges education with real-world application in a way few programs can offer.
In addition to the educational component, the finished cattle will be sold as live animal shares, with participating students earning any profits after costs are covered—giving them direct exposure to the financial side of agricultural production.
“This program doesn’t just teach students how to raise cattle—it shows them how to think like producers,” Garrow added. “They’re learning responsibility, data-driven decision making, and what it takes to bring a product to market.”
Community members will also have the opportunity to purchase beef shares from the program. While final pricing is still being determined, those interested are encouraged to complete an interest form or reach out directly for more information.
This collaboration highlights BMCC’s commitment to workforce development and hands-on learning, particularly in Eastern Oregon’s vital agriculture sector. By connecting students with industry partners and real-life applications, programs like Prime Start are helping build the next generation of producers, innovators, and leaders in agriculture.
For more information about the Prime Start program or to inquire about beef share availability, please contact Sara Garrow at BMCC.