BC Delano unveils cutting-edge Regenerative Agriculture Education Center

Nov. 14—Bakersfield College Delano Campus hosted a ribbon-cutting on Tuesday to unveil its new, state-of-the-art Regenerative Agriculture Education Center.

In collaboration with The Ravi and Naina Patel Foundation, The White Buffalo Foundation and TomKat Ranch, the college's Agriculture Department was finally able to open the center following its approval in 2021.

Partnering with the California Renewable Energy Laboratory, the new agricultural center aims not only to bring a new source of job creation and study to Kern County, but also introduce a new system of farming called agrivoltaics, which CREL said could prove beneficial to the landscape of the farming industry in Kern County.

Agrivoltaics is a combination of agriculture and solar energy. It involves placing solar panels above crops, providing dual use of the same land.

This approach is intended to generate renewable energy from the sun while allowing crops to grow beneath.

CREL plans to kick off its agrivoltaics project now that the new center is open.

Jalisca Thomason, a professor of forestry and natural resources at Bakersfield College, said the Regenerative Agriculture Education Center opens new opportunities.

The Ravi and Naina Patel Foundation said the center benefits students at BC Delano while offering families with an agricultural background the chance to translate their skills into higher paying career paths.

Crucially, the students will be able to learn agricultural practices with state-of-the-art equipment preparing them for the growing industry.

"This is going to be another facet for students to come out, learn and have another living laboratory," said Adolpho Briseno, program manager for agriculture at Bakersfield College. "Here in Kern County we are used to the industrial commercialized agriculture, which is great, but this is just another method of introducing sustainable practices to the students."

Students receive opportunities tailored to their community's familiarity. Thanks to cutting-edge facilities, the Regenerative Agriculture Education Center ensures that students can dive into agricultural practices using sophisticated equipment, equipping them with the skills needed for the farming industry while also aligning education with the evolving demands of the local job market.

The center will be equipped with many features not available in any college or university in Kern County, including a solar greenhouse, which optimizes solar power to provide an energy-efficient environment for plant growth.

The facility includes a composting system — a method of decomposing organic waste into nutrient-rich compost for soil enrichment and sustainable waste management. Additionally, there is a demonstration to educate students on enhancing soil health and fertility using carbon-rich biochar.

Students will also be able to learn about the center's new smart irrigation system. Its advanced technology optimizes water usage, adapts to real-time data and promotes sustainable and efficient plant care practices.

"We have an educational opportunity for our producers that is based on what realities they face," Briseno said, "so we are going to be able to provide them with relevant research, relevant models and relevant recommendations for how to make there practice and their farming sustainable for years to come."

In addition to the new facilities offered through the Regenerated Agriculture Education Center, BC Delano plans to apply for an organic certification. Its success would make it the first community college-based organic center in the state of California.

The new facility is expected to operate with zero emissions, as all the farming equipment is made up of electric vehicles. The facility includes a brand new EV charging station.