WWCC student honored with FFAs highest degree

WALLA WALLA – Walla Walla Community College congratulates second-year student Henry Garrett, who recently received the American Future Farmers of America Degree.

Garrett, from Ontario, Oregon, joined students nationwide who demonstrated their dedication to the FFA organization and showed outstanding achievement in agricultural business, production, processing, or service programs.

To earn the degree, a student must be an FFA member for at least three years and have completed three high school agricultural classes or two years of high school and one of college agricultural classes. Requirements include community service, proven leadership skills, and a grade point average of "C" or better.

"It's a privilege to have Henry Garrett at WWCC," said Matthew Bishop, Director of the John Deere and Transportation Traces programs at WWCC. "Agriculture remains a critical component of our region's economy, and Henry Garrett is a great example of the potential of the industry's future leaders."

Garrett, 19, has been involved in FFA since middle school. As a high school sophomore and junior, he won first place in a John Deere tractor-driving competition in his hometown.

He enrolled in the John Deere Technology Program at WWCC after finishing high school in 2023. He studied diesel mechanics and other subjects this past fall. He returned to Ontario for the winter quarter to gain more on-the-job experience at his hometown John Deere dealership.

"I love the campus. It's super beautiful," Garrett said. "It's great to be able to get hands-on work experience and my associate's degree at the same time."

Garrett is on track to graduate WWCC in 2025. He plans to return to the Ontario John Deere dealership, he says, to "show off the skills he's learned at WWCC."

For more information about WWCC and the John Deere Technology Program see wwcc.edu/john-deere-technology or contact Matt Bishop at: matthew.bishop@wwcc.edu.