Faculty and Technicians

Faculty and Technicians

Faculty

Rick Wittsell kneeling with a deer

Ricky Wittsell, M.S.

Department Chair: Natural Resources, Agriculture Business, Agriculture Science, Environmental Horticulture

Advisor, Friends of the Refuge Club

530-879-6194, wittsellri@agemboutique.com

Ricky Wittsell is the faculty advisor for Natural Resources and advisor for Friends of Refuge.  Ricky was born and raised in Chico. Following high school, Ricky worked in the construction industry before returning to Butte and California State University, Chico to obtain a Bachelor of Science degree in wildlife biology. Ricky stayed at Chico State to obtain his Master of Science degree in Ecology by researching deer's response to differences in population density from migration. Ricky also started teaching while in graduate school and found his calling. Ricky continues to be active doing research on deer ecology, using GPS and satellite telemetry (see photo above) to remotely chart deer herd movements for the purpose of better understanding winter range requirements and migration corridors. Currently, Ricky is working with western pond turtles on campus using radio telemetry (a device on back of turtle shell) to track turtle movements.

Courses taught include:

NR 12 Dendrology/Native Plant ID

NR 20 Introduction to Forestry and Natural Resources

NR 26 Environmental World

NR 28 Environmental Management

NR 40 Watershed Ecology and Habitat Restoration

NR 55 Wildlife Management

NR 60 Natural Resources Law

NR 65 Recreational Land Management

NR 70 Geospatial Data Applications


Jennifer Charles-Tollerup Photo

Jennifer Charles-Tollerup, Ph.D.

Academic Senator CTE

Advisor, Apiculture Club & Eco Club

530-895-2357, charles-tollerupje@agemboutique.com

Dr. Jennifer Charles-Tollerup is the faculty advisor for Ag Science and the PCA/EH Plant Protection Certificate.

Jennifer brings a diverse set of experiences to her appointment including five years in agricultural production systems, five years in agricultural research and education, and a decade plus in community college instruction as well as appointments in program development.  She holds a PhD from the University of California, Riverside in Entomology with a concentration in Integrated Pest Management (IPM) and Statistics along with a Bachelor's from the University of California, Santa Cruz in Biology and Environmental Studies with emphasis in Botany and Agroecology.  Jennifer trained as an Apprentice in Ecological Horticulture at UC Santa Cruz’s Center for Agroecology and Sustainable Food Systems.  She has worked on market gardens, family farms, and large scale operations in citrus, grapes, nurseries, strawberries, herbs, lettuces, and edible flowers.  Jennifer has used her academic and professional experience to coordinate elementary school garden programs.

Jennifer readily supports the mission of the community college, to transform lives through education.  Her approach involves building relationships with students and with agriculture partners, connecting the two together, and launching students into their life's work in agriculture. 

Outside her professional life, Jennifer is married with children.  Her husband is a California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) Entomologist and their kiddos attend Spanish immersion school.  She enjoys being outside, especially gardening in poor soils, biking around town, and camping in the Eastern Sierras. 

Courses taught include:

AGS 20 Plant Science

AGS 30 Ecology of Insect and Disease Management

EH 60 Principles of Pest Management

EH 61 Plant Protection Materials

EH 70 Plant Propagation and Nursery Practices


Bonnie Baxter photo

Bonnie Baxter, M.S.

530-895-2490, baxterbo@agemboutique.com

Bonnie Baxter graduated from California State University, Chico with a degree in Agriscience and a minor in Agriculture Business.  After earning a master’s degree with honors distinction and teaching credential from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, she entered the teaching profession in 2007.  While serving as the Department Head at Los Molinos High School, she concurrently served as a seven-time CT/LST, community college adjunct professor and CTE curriculum specialist. 

Following her service in secondary education, she continued to advocate for agriculture education for nearly a decade, as Campaign Director for Teach Ag California; spearheading efforts to recruit and retain highly qualified and diverse agriculture teachers.  During her time as Teach Ag Campaign Director, she took on the additional role of CSU, Chico University Supervisor, for over forty agricultural education student teachers.  Her comprehension and rich demonstration of pedagogical skills strikes a balance with her kindness, prolific work ethic and student-centered approach to teaching.    

Bonnie’s background and leadership style contribute to her ability to collaborate with industry representative and educational partners, to achieve larger organizational goals.  Bonnie is highly involved in the agricultural education community of Butte County and California. She is a California State University Chico, Agricultural Education Advisory Committee member, a California State Agricultural Ambassador Conference Industry presenter, and a multi-time presenter at professional development events for the California Agricultural Teachers' Association. 

Outside of her professional life, Bonnie enjoys watching baseball, collecting vintage trucks, and raising her three sons and daughter in Butte Valley.    

Courses taught include:

AGS 20 Plant Science

EH 20 Intro to Environmental Horticulture

EH 26 Landscape Planning and Design 

EH 30 Irrigation Practices and Materials


Esther Kim

Esther Kim, M.S.

530-895-2593, kimes@agemboutique.com

Esther is a first generation Korean American and was born and raised in Los Angeles. She commenced her educational career in Southern California, at College of the Canyons, earning an Associate of Arts degree in Psychology. While there, she took an environmental science class that ignited a curiosity and fascination of the natural world. So, she then pursued a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Science at Chico State University.

Following her undergraduate studies, she attended Oregon State University for her Masters of Science in Soil Science. Her thesis focused on the biological health of soil in the potato fields of the Columbia Basin in Eastern Oregon, specifically examining the role of cover crops in microbial communities and overall soil health after fumigation. She graduated in March 2023 and returned to Chico to serve as a faculty member at Butte College.

Outside of her academic and professional life, Esther enjoys cooking, baking, hiking, and swimming. She values time with her friends and is keen on learning about diverse perspectives and cultures. As an instructor, she is committed to not only educating her students but also inspiring them to find joy in learning.

Courses taught include:

AGS 20 Plant Science

AGS 50 General Soils


Geoffrey Koch

Geoffrey Koch, Ph.D.

530-895-2551, kochge@agemboutique.com

Dr. Geoffrey Koch began his academic journey at Mesa College in San Diego. After a decade exploring various industries, including deep-sea sportfishing, construction, mortgage finance, and fine-dining catering, he returned to academia at MiraCosta College in Oceanside, CA. There, he served as the Vice President of Legislative Affairs in the Associated Student Government and played a pivotal role in securing a grant for the student farm.

Dr. Koch continued his studies at UC Davis, majoring in Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems. He became an active member of the Alpha Gamma Rho fraternity and seized opportunities to work at the UC Davis Meats Lab and with local food distributors. His passion for soil science led him to pursue a Ph.D. under Dr. William R. Horwath’s Nutrient Cycling Lab. His research focused on soil carbon and nitrogen dynamics, greenhouse gas emissions, and the effects of composting dairy manure. He also explored the economics of the cannabis industry and the irrigation and fertility response in hemp.

Throughout his academic journey, Dr. Koch was deeply involved in extracurricular activities. He served in various roles, including the chair of the LGBTQ+ Scientists and Allies Specialty group, and received the Future Leaders in Science award. He has been an advocate for funding agricultural research and education.

Having completed his Ph.D. in May 2023, Dr. Koch is dedicated to providing a comprehensive education to his students at Butte, urging them to think critically, expand their professional networks, and make a positive impact on the world. He resides in Chico with his partner Jared, their dog Mac, and his niece who attends Chico State.

Courses taught include:

AB 20 Careers in Agriculture, Environmental Science, and Natural Resources

AB 22 Agricultural Economics

AGS 10 World Food and Hunger Issues

AGS 20 Plant Science

AGS 40 Introduction to Animal Science

AGS 45 Feeds and Feeding

AGS 51 Fertilizers and Plant Nutrition

EH 62 Weed Science and Invasive Plants


Vazquez

Jacob Vazquez, Ed.D.

Advisor, Ag Leadership Student Club

Dual Enrollment Coordinator

530-895-2514, vazquezja@agemboutique.com

Dr. Jacob Vazquez serves as the Agriculture Business Instructor and faculty advisor for the Agriculture Business program. Prior to joining Butte College, he served as Associate Vice President of Risk Management at Fresno Madera Farm Credit. At Farm Credit, Jacob supported the association in data analysis and credit administration roles.

Jacob is a former Butte College student and summa cum laude graduate of California State University, Fresno (Fresno State), completing a bachelor’s degree in Agriculture Business and a master’s degree in Agricultural Science. He completed his doctorate in Agricultural Education at Texas Tech University. A former student-athlete, he was named an Academic All-American while playing football for Fresno State. Prior to attending college, Jacob served as State Treasurer for the California FFA Association.

Courses taught include:

AB 15 Agricultural Communication and Sales

AB 20 Careers in Agriculture, Environmental Science, and Natural Resources

AB 25 Computer Applications in Agriculture

AB 26 Introduction to Agriculture Business

AB 50 Agricultural Accounting

AB 54 Supervision and Management in Agriculture

AGS 75 Introduction to Agricultural Education


Williams Tom

Tom Williams

Department Chair: Ag Engineering Technology/ Heavy Equipment, Construction, Drafting, HVAC, Manufacturing

530-895-2496, williamsth@agemboutique.com

Tom Williams was raised in Corning, CA and spent summers working on farms and ranches. He attended Ca State University, Chico and obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Construction Management. After graduation, Tom worked as the VP of Operations for Robert R. Peacher Inc, a Chico based general engineering contractor. During this time he completed a number of large scale projects involving roadway construction, land fill construction, levee construction and more.

Twelve years ago Tom started his own construction company. During that time Tom's company performed a number of public works projects for government agencies. Projects completed include the dam at one mile recreation area, the quad at Slyvester's Cafe (Chico State), and numerous other projects in the Butte County area.

He is the past President of the Valley Contractors Exchange and currently a member of the Nord County School Board. While not working Tom enjoys spending recreational time in the outdoors.

Courses taught include:

AB 20 Careers in Agriculture, Environmental Science, and Natural Resources

AET 26 Basic Surveying

AET 30 Tractors and Crawlers

AET 34 Farm Machinery

AET 35 Heavy Equip Methods

AET 36 Heavy Equipment Operation

AET 44 Grade Setting

CNST 1 Intro to Construction

ITEC 55 Intro to Industry Trades


Bruce Enyeart standing by a tractor

Bruce Enyeart

530-895-2418, enyeartbr@agemboutique.com 

Bruce Enyeart was born and raised in Eastern Washington on a hay and grain farm. He is a graduate  of Washington State University with a Bachelor's degree in Mechanized Agriculture (minor in Business Administration), and earned a Master's degree in Agriculture and Education from California State University, Chico. Upon graduation from WSU he worked as an area service representative for International Harvester Company covering most of the Pacific Northwest, followed by 10 years as a John Deere dealership service manager in southern California. His most recent industry role was as service manager for the John Deere dealership in Chico, California. He came to Butte College in 1996.

Bruce is an avid reader, twenty-seven year member of the American Society of Agriculture and Biological Engineers, a founding member of the Vintage Iron Club, as well as a member of MENSA. In addition, there is Uncle Dude, perhaps his biggest influence.  Ask him about that if you have some time on your hands.  Bruce also consults and does industry trainings through Butte College's Contract Education division, The Training Place.

Courses taught include:

AET 26 Basic Surveying

AET 35 Heavy Equipment Methods

AET 36 Heavy Equipment Operation

AET 38 Diesel Engines and Machine Systems

AET 43 Hydraulic and Pneumatic Systems


Jared Parker

530-895-2953, parkerja@agemboutique.com

Courses taught include:

WLD 21 Intermediate Welding

WLD 154 Shop Practices for Welders I

WLD 156 Shop Practices for Welders II

AET 22 Natural Resources and Agri-Construction

AET 26 Basic Surveying

AET 30 Tractors & Crawlers

AET 34 Farm Machinery

AET 35 Heavy Equipment Methods

AET 36 Heavy Equipment Operation


Jubal Raymond

530-895-2983, raymondju@agemboutique.com

Courses taught include:

CNST 21 CNST Drawings & Specs

CNST 55 Computer Apps in CNST Management


Darrah Thomas

530-895-2551, thomasda@agemboutique.com

Courses taught include:

AET 22 Natural Resources and Agriculture Construction


Jessee Ernest 

530-895-2551, ernestje@agemboutique.com

Courses taught include:

CNST 30 Interior & Exterior Finishes


Mike Walters

Mike Walters

Agriculture Farm Technician

530-895-2449, waltersmi@agemboutique.com

Mike Walters was born and raised in the Durham/Chico area.  He graduated from Durham High School where he was an active FFA member. After high school Mike held a variety of jobs including a stint at the Massey Ferguson Tractor Dealership, eleven years as a certified welder, and seven years as a farm operator and heavy equipment operator.

Mike started college at age 33 and obtained his Associates Degrees in Natural Resources, Agriculture Science, and Agriculture Business.


Heather Wren

Heather Wren

Horticulture/Nursery Technician

530-895-2515, wrenhe@agemboutique.com

Heather was born and raised in Chico. She graduated from  Chico High School, Butte College (AS in Horticulture) and California State University, Chico with a BS in Agriculture with a Special Option in Environmental Horticulture. Her work experience includes five years in the retail/wholesale nursery industry as well as several years in the florist industry. She is a CCN Pro (California Certified Nursery Professional) and has a QAC (Qualified Applicator's Certificate). She is now the greenhouse and nursery technician for the Butte College Environmental Horticulture Department, managing all nursery functions and sales. She trains and supervises all student workers in the nursery and assists with all aspects of the Environmental Horticulture Club. She also assists in the Butte College vineyard.

Content Editor:
Erin Shimizu
(530) 895-2835