Seth W. Yocum, Ed.D. joined West Hills College in February of 2024 as the Director of the Farm of
the Future. Dr. Yocum has spent his professional career as an educator and administrator
in both public and private schools across the central San Joaquin Valley. Moreover,
he has owned and operated Valley Fog Farms for the past 15 years, where he and his
family farm Cara Cara Oranges, raise livestock, and market garden with the intention
of promoting more ecologically responsible ways to raise food for family, friends,
and local businesses.
Before joining WHC, Seth served for five years as a Head of School at Saint Paul’s School, in Visalia, CA. Prior to that, he taught English and Education at both the high school and college level and served as an advising faculty member for two CTE pathways: the Academy of Health Sciences and the Academy of Emerging Agricultural Technology. Seth obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in Social and Behavioral Sciences from Chapman University, a Master of Arts degree in English from National University, and his Doctor of Education in Education Studies: Innovation and Reform from the University of Northern Colorado. Seth has a passion for place-based, experiential learning programs, and a commitment to land stewardship that prioritizes ecological, social, and economic soundness in decision making.
Seth, and his wife, Taryan, have two daughters and a son.
Dr. Tim Ellsworth joined West Hills College in August 2013 as an agriculture technology instructor.
In addition to agriculture, he also teaches geology and environmental science courses.
His primary academic areas of expertise are soil science, with a focus on precision
agriculture and nutrient management, and distance education. Tim currently serves
on the Advisory board for the Canadian Biochar Consortium.
Prior to joining WHC, Tim worked for 23 years as a professor at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign where part of his duties included serving as the faculty director of the online master’s program for the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Science. Tim obtained a Bachelor of Science degree from Brigham Young University, a master’s degree from the University of Minnesota, and a Ph.D. from the University of California, Riverside. In addition to working at the University of Illinois, his prior work experience includes serving as a soil scientist with the USDA U.S. Salinity Laboratory, a visiting faculty member at the Centre for Water Research, Department of Civil Engineering, University of Western Australia in Perth and a senior scientist performing hazard assessments and hazard evaluations for the U.S. Army with regard to management of the U.S. Army Chemical Weapon Stockpile.
Tim and his wife, Jennifer, have three daughters and a son.
Contact Tim via email at timothyellsworth@whccd.edu or by phone at 559 934-2711.
Chris Chaney is a full-time Agriculture Industrial Technologies Instructor, teaching Truck Driving,
industrial maintenance technology and heavy equipment. After teaching welding as part
of the Pathways out of Poverty and C6 for 3 ½ years for WHCC, Chris was hired as a
Field Operations Representative for Neil Jones Food Company working with tomato growers
in the Valley to ensure quality and market timeliness for the processor.
He grew up in San Joaquin on his family's farm, where they grew cotton, alfalfa seed, corn, grain hay and ran a dairy. Chris attended Kerman High School where he won the national proficiency for Specialty Crop Production. After completing his American FFA degree, Chris attended Coalinga College where he earned his Associates of Science in Crop Science. He then transferred to Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and earned a Bachelor's degree in Agricultural Systems Management. While attending college, Chris owned and operated a hay harvesting company. An interesting fact about Chris is that he, along with two other Coalinga College Alumni, won the Junk Yard Mega Wars, a three episode mega special that included three separate competitions from LA to Vegas.
Chris and his wife Kimberly have two boys, Josh and Caleb
Contact Chris via email at christopherchaney@whccd.edu or by phone at 559 934-2705.
Valeria Hochman Adler completed her B.S. degree at the National University of La Pampa, Argentina in Management
of Renewable Natural Resources and worked in Argentina on environmental projects.
Valeria completed her Master’s degree in 2004 at the Ben-Gurion University of the
Negev, Israel. Upon completion, she worked for several years at the Ben-Gurion University
in the Life Science Department. In 2008, she began her PhD research at the same institution,
focused on insect spillovers from agricultural fields to the surrounding natural areas.
In 2015, Valeria came to the UC Kearney Agricultural Center in Parlier as a Postdoctoral Scholar, participating in a collaborative research effort on vine mealybug involving HPLC technology, following insecticide movement in grapevines. In 2020, Valeria joined the post-harvest research group at the UC Kearney Agricultural Center as an Assistant Project Scientist.
While still a postdoctoral scholar, she began to teach at several community colleges in the San Joaquin Valley. Over the last 6 years, Valeria has amassed a wide breadth of experience in Biology and Agriculture education as an adjunct instructor within the State Center Community College District (SCCCD) and West Hills Community College District (WHCCD). She got hired as a full-time instructor at WHCCD in August 2021.
Larry Parades is a full-time Industrial Science Instructor. Born and raised in the San Joaquin
Valley, Larry left to serve in the United States Navy as a Corpsman and Field Medic
with the U.S. Marine Corps. After spending more than twenty years in the private
sector as a welder, fabricator, and machinist, Larry followed his dream to become
a welding instructor to teach others the trade about which he is so passionate.
Larry has a Certificate in Welding Technology from Reedley College and a B.A. and M.A. Fresno Pacific University including a K-12 CTE teaching credential. Is certified with NCCER’s (National Center for Construction Education and Research) as an instructor. Completed ACUE’s (Association of College and University Educators) Certification in Effective Teaching Practices. In March 2022 was awarded a Fellowship with the Association of Career Technical Educators and is currently working on an M.A. in TESOL/SLAT at Fresno State University.
Contact Larry via email at LarryParedes@whccd.edu or by phone at 559 934-2709.
Richard Valenzuela, HVAC Instructor for the Farm of the Future
Drew Gobby started his position as the Farm Technician in July of 2023. He comes to us with
a strong academic background, having graduated from Cal Poly with a degree in Agricultural
Systems Management and a minor in Ag Business. His passion for agriculture and educational
foundation makes him an excellent addition to our team. He hopes to one day become
a Farm Manager making this position a perfect fit for him to get hands-on experience.
Contact Drew via email at drewgobby@whccd.edu
Alissa Trevino is the Program Assistant for the Farm of the Future. She started as a student worker
when she was in high school and continued working for West Hills while getting her
associate degree in Computer Information Systems. Alissa started working in her position
at the Farm in December 2013 and has been there ever since. What she likes most about
her department is the people she works with, and the commitment they have to helping
students.
Alissa grew up in Coalinga, and still lives there today. When she’s not working or spending time with family or her animals, she volunteers her time by coaching cheerleading for the Coalinga Oilers as well as serving on the Coalinga Oilers Youth Cheer executive board as their Secretary.
Contact Alissa via email at alissatrevino@whccd.edu or call 559-934-2703
Juana Tapia is the Academic Outreach Advisor for the Ag and Industrial Science Department. Juana
grew up in Huron and has lived in Coalinga for several years. She came to Coalinga
College as a full-time student and student worker for the TRiO program. In 2008, she
became a Student Services Technician at Coalinga Collegeand in January of 2020 she
was hired as the new Advisor for the Farm of the Future.
“My hope for this position is to see all of my students achieve their dreams, just as I did!” said Juana. “I want to be the person I needed as a first generation college student who had no family members that could guide me through the process of pursuing higher education. I am beyond excited and grateful for this opportunity and I hope I can keep helping students for many years to come.”
Employers or students interested in learning more about classes can contact Juana at juanatapia@whccd.edu or call 559-934-2710