Agriculture
Award Type: Certificate of Achievement
Allan Hancock College's Agriculture Program is designed for students preparing for, or advancing in careers in agriculture. The agriculture program will prepare students for a wide variety of entry-level positions related to agribusiness and agricultural science with an emphasis on local career opportunities such as pest management and control, agronomy, environmental horticulture, soil science, orchard/vineyard management, sales and marketing, agriculture technology, farm management, greenhouse and nursery operations, agricultural inspection, plant and animal nutrition, and crop advising. Students will gain practical skills in effective communication, problem solving, critical thinking, collaboration, and leadership through hands-on learning and field trips to local agricultural operations.The graduate of the Certificate of Achievement in Agriculture will:
- apply current agricultural industry standards, laws and regulations in the agricultural sciences or related fields.
- assess and differentiate effects of agricultural activities in plant systems while describing alternative practices in order to make sound agricultural decisions that ensure the quality and success of a crop.
- employ effective business skills using industry analysis, market trends, business plans and other standard agribusiness techniques, when presented with a farm or ranch management situation.
- demonstrate knowledge of soils, fertilizers, plant nutrition, and current industry growing techniques and apply this understanding to successfully produce agricultural crops.
- demonstrate basic worker safety practices.
- Identify common insect and disease pests and use knowledge of pest life cycles to recommend pest prevention and management plans.
- Demonstrate an understanding of crop plant biological functions and their application to successful commodity production.
Program Requirements
A major of 24 units is required for the certificate.
Required core courses 15 units:
| Course Number | Course Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| AG 125 | Introduction to Soil Science | 4.0 |
| AG 130 | Integrated Pest Management | 4.0 |
| AG 150 | Introduction to Agribusiness | 3.0 |
| AG 161 | Introduction to Plant Science | 4.0 |
Plus a minimum of 9 units selected from the following:
| Course Number | Course Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| AG 149 | Cooperative Work Experience: Occupation | 1.0 - 8.0 units |
| AG 152 | Introduction to Animal Science | 3.0 |
| AG 153 | Introduction to Sustainable Agriculture | 3.0 |
| AG 154 | Introduction to Fruit Science | 3.0 |
| AG 155 | Introduction to Mechanized Agriculture | 3.0 |
| AG 156 | Intro to Environmental Horticulture | 3.0 |
| AG 157 | Agricultural Sales, Communication & Leadership | 3.0 |
| AG 160 | Plant Propagation and Production | 3.0 |
| AG 162 | Agricultural Plant Pathology | 4.0 |
| AG 163 | Economic Entomology | 4.0 |
| AG 164 | Weed Science | 4.0 |
| AG 165 | Qualified Applicator Training | 2.0 |
| AG 126 | Fertilizers & Plant Nutrition | 4.0 |
| VT 102 | Introduction to Animal Feeding and Nutrition | 3.0 |