Last Updated on October 27, 2026 by Sydney Galloway

PENDLETON, OR – On a 100-acre on-campus farm at Blue Mountain Community College, agriculture students experience firsthand the full cycle of agricultural production. From managing irrigation systems and growing crops to feeding livestock and studying meat science, the farm serves as a living classroom where each stage of production offers an opportunity to learn.

Now, nearly $50,000 in contributions from Valley Irrigation, Threemile Canyon Farms, and RiverTech Irrigation is bringing advanced irrigation technology and new learning opportunities to that classroom.

Advanced Irrigation Upgrades at BMCC

The upgrades include three Valley ICON 10 control panels, a Variable Rate Irrigation (VRI) system, an upgrade to AgSense 365 remote management software, and Valley Pump Command. Together, the technologies give BMCC greater control over how water is distributed across its fields, when irrigation equipment operates, and how efficiently water and energy are used.

The VRI system allows water application to be tailored to different areas of a field, helping reduce runoff and soil erosion. Valley Pump Command automatically adjusts pump operation based on water demand, reducing unnecessary energy use and equipment wear. Through AgSense 365, irrigation systems can also be monitored and controlled remotely from a phone, tablet, or computer.

“These donations keep BMCC at the forefront of irrigation technology, keep our curriculum relevant, and better prepare our students for today’s and tomorrow’s workforce needs,” said Drew Leggett, BMCC Agriculture Instructor. “I am beyond grateful for the generosity of Threemile Canyon Farms, Harry Bither, RiverTech Irrigation, and Valley Irrigation.”

Decades of Local Industry Support

BMCC’s relationship with Valley Irrigation dates back decades. In the early 1990s, Mike Hawman helped raise funds for the college’s full-circle irrigation pivot. Years later, his son, Kevin, continued those efforts as a BMCC student, raising money to replace older handline and wheel line systems with additional pivot and linear irrigation equipment. When the project fell short of its fundraising goal, Valley Irrigation donated the remaining equipment needed to complete the upgrades.

The latest improvements were initiated by BMCC alumnus Harry Bither, now Irrigation Manager at Threemile Canyon Farms. Bither contacted RiverTech Irrigation, a local Valley Irrigation dealer, which then worked with Valley Irrigation to help secure the new equipment.

The connection between BMCC and Threemile Canyon Farms goes beyond this project. Some of Leggett’s former students have gone on to work for Bither, an example of how relationships with local agricultural employers can open doors for graduates. For Leggett, building and maintaining those connections is an important part of preparing students for careers in the industry.

As agricultural producers across Eastern Oregon seek ways to manage water resources, energy costs, and increasingly sophisticated equipment, BMCC students will have the opportunity to develop practical skills that translate directly to the region’s agricultural industry.

_______________________________________________________

For more information about BMCC’s Agriculture program or the recent irrigation technology upgrades, please contact Drew Leggett, BMCC Agriculture Instructor.