Soft launch for Clark’s new Ridgefield location

VANCOUVER — Starting this April, Clark College will host eight new Ridgefield-based classes as part of the college’s expansion into north Clark County. Six of the classes will be held in the recently completed Advanced Manufacturing Center (AMC) building at Clark’s newest satellite campus at Boschma Farms, 7000 E. Pioneer Street, Ridgefield, Wash. Two “Learn with a winemaker” series will be hosted by local Ridgefield wineries, Confluence and Columbia Ridge. 

Considered a soft launch this April, these classes are only the beginning of plans for an official opening for this Fall term, which starts September 22, 2025. When fully operational, the AMC facility will serve as a state-of-the-art cornerstone for technical education, community development, and preparing students for the demands of the modern workforce.

“We are excited to test out this new facility for the Spring term,” said Clark’s Vice President of Operations, Sabra Sand. “Right now, we are putting the final finishing touches on the new building, including the delivery and set up of furniture and equipment and the finalization of IT and security systems, and more.” 

When ready, the Ridgefield campus will also have meeting spaces and conference rooms that will soon be available as rental options for the Ridgefield community for gathering and community-building.

Fall’s offering of classes is anticipated to include an expanded list of community and continuing education (CCE) courses, general education classes, plus an advanced manufacturing program which is currently under development. Five general education classrooms and one computer lab will be able to accommodate a future capacity to serve up to 1,200 students per term.

Enrolled students can already register for these two Spring for-credit general education classes:

• Environmental Biology
• College Algebra

Six non-credit community and continuing education courses will be open for all community members to register online, starting March 10. 

• Learn with a Winemaker – Columbia Ridge Winery, 1 session on 4/18 ($55)
• Salmon at Risk: Understanding the PNW Crisis – 2 weeks, starting 4/21 ($49)
• Weather 101 – 5 weeks, starting 5/7 ($109)
• Civics: Hot Topics — 1 session on 5/13 ($25)
• Chinook: Walking with our Ancestors – 5 weeks, starting 5/14 ($109)
• Learn with a Winemaker – Confluence Winery, 1 session on 5/18 ($55)

Other classes and locations are available here.

About the Advanced Manufacturing Center at Boschma Farms

Located on a 10-acre property due east of the Ridgefield Junction, the 49,000 square foot Advanced Manufacturing Center features a vast open manufacturing floor, collaboration zones, satellite instructional facilities, classrooms, laboratories, offices and more. The 35,000 square feet dedicated to manufacturing training includes three industry-specific classrooms, four labs, five manufacturing cells and a vast open manufacturing floor. The remaining 14,000 square feet houses the five general education classrooms, along with faculty and student amenities.

About Clark College 

Founded in 1933, Clark College provides residents of Southwest Washington with affordable, high-quality academic and technical education. It is a public community college offering more than 100 degree and certificate programs, including bachelor’s and associate degrees; professional certificates; high school diplomas and GED preparation; and non-credit community and continuing education. Clark serves a wide range of students including high school students, displaced workers, veterans, parents, non-native English speakers, and mature learners. Approximately 45% of its students are in the first generation of their families to attend college.  

Community & Continuing Education Classes (Ridgefield)

Register online, starting March 10, 2025

Weather 101 

Learn basic weather reading skills to help the Gardener, Hiker, or outdoor person.  Learn to read weather maps, interpret cloud formations, understanding our local climate, and gain practical weather knowledge.  Taught by a USDA-Graduate School certified Meteorologist and former NOAA/NWS forecaster.

• Wednesdays, 1:30-3:30 p.m., 5/7 – 6/4, 5 weeks
• CLBF Room 208
• Tuition: $109
• Instructor: Kyle Dittmer

Salmon at Risk: Understanding the PNW Crisis

Dive into the critical challenges facing Pacific Northwest salmon populations in this three-session course. Explore the devastating impact of human activities, climate change, and habitat disruption on these vital species. Discover the ongoing efforts to protect and restore salmon habitats, and learn what you can do to help safeguard the future of these iconic fish.

• Mondays, 1:30-3:30 p.m. ,Date: 4/21 – 4/28, 2 weeks
• CLBF Room 208
• Tuition: $49
• Instructor: Kyle Dittmer

Chinook: Walking With our Ancestors 

Learn from a tribal elder about the resilient Chinook Nation – and the past and current fight for federal recognition. Examine the shameful history behind broken promises and treaties. Discover the story and culture of the Chinook peoples who were indigenous throughout the Lower Columbia regions. Rich in resources, these salmon and cedar people developed a vast trading system, resplendent in functional and beautiful art.

• Wednesdays, 1:30-3:30 p.m., 5/14 – 6/11, 5 weeks
• CLBF Room 206
• Tuition: $109
• Instructor: Sam Robinson

Civics: Hot Topics – Ridgefield 

Explore the hot issues that people are talking about in Ridgefield- home of Clark’s newest campus, Boschma Farms. Join us for lively dialogue!

• Tuesday, 1:30-3:30 p.m., 5/13, 1 week
• CLCBF  Room 208
• Tuition: $25
• Instructor: Tracy Reilly-Kelly

Learn with a Winemaker- Confluence Winery 

Confluence Vineyards and Winery is a family run boutique Winery founded in 2008, focused on crafting high quality Rhone and Bordeaux varietals selecting grapes only from the best Washington State Vineyard sites. Winemaker, Greg Weber, will share his decades of fermentation and limited production wines experience and share how he creates Confluence’s unique red wines. Special tasting and small bites included. In partnership with Confluence Winery.

• Sunday, 4–6 p.m., 5/18, 1 week
• Confluence Winery, 19111 NW 67th Ave, Ridgefield, WA 98642
• Tuition: $55

Learn with a Winemaker- Columbia Ridge Winery 

Columbia Ridge is a small family owned and operated winery which focus on big reds and grows their own Marechal Foch grapes, a hybrid French red variety. Columbia Ridge focuses on sustainability and powers their entire winery with solar power. Special tasting and small bites included. In partnership with Columbia Ridge Winery.

• Friday, 6-8 p.m., 4/18, 1 week
• Columbia Ridge Winery, 3006 NW 199th St, Ridgefield, WA 98642
• Tuition: $55

Information provided by Clark College Communications.