6 Umatilla County high school students are getting a lesson in cattle from BMCC
By Terry Murry on Thursday, April 16th, 2026 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories
PENDLETON – Blue Mountain Community College (BMCC) is bringing agricultural education to life through a partnership with Beef Northwest Feeders. Prime Start launched this year with six students from Umatilla County taking part.
Each student is responsible for caring for a steer. They must manage daily feeding, monitor health, keep records, and track growth and performance data throughout the process. On May 30, BMCC will host the students at the Facility for Agricultural Resource Management (FARM) for a workshop with Technician Sara Garrow. The students will delve into the science and business behind beef production.
“This is where everything connects,” Garrow said. “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 the consumers.”
The finished cattle will be sold as live animal shares. The students will earn any profits made after their costs are covered.
“This program doesn’t just teach students how to raise cattle,” Garrow said. “It shows them how to think like producers.”
Community members will have the opportunity to purchase beef shares from the program as well. Final pricing is still being determined.
FARM photo provided by BMCC
