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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 4.000 - 0.000 units
AG 130 Integrated Pest Management 4.000 - 0.000 units
AG 150 Introduction to Agribusiness 3.000 - 0.000 units
AG 161 Introduction to Plant Science 4.000 - 0.000 units

Plus a minimum of 9 units selected from the following:

Course Number Course Title Units
AG 149 Work Experience Education 1.000 - 8.000 units
AG 152 Introduction to Animal Science 3.000 - 0.000 units
AG 153 Introduction to Sustainable Agriculture 3.000 - 0.000 units
AG 154 Introduction to Fruit Science 3.000 - 0.000 units
AG 155 Introduction to Mechanized Agriculture 3.000 - 0.000 units
AG 156 Intro to Environmental Horticulture 3.000 - 0.000 units
AG 157 Agricultural Sales, Communication & Leadership 3.000 - 0.000 units
AG 160 Plant Propagation and Production 3.000 - 0.000 units
AG 162 Agricultural Plant Pathology 4.000 - 0.000 units
AG 163 Economic Entomology 4.000 - 0.000 units
AG 164 Weed Science 4.000 - 0.000 units
AG 165 Qualified Applicator Training 2.000 - 0.000 units
AG 126 Fertilizers & Plant Nutrition 4.000 - 0.000 units
VT 102 Introduction to Animal Feeding and Nutrition 3.000 - 0.000 units