Agriculture &
Environmental Sciences
Agriculture &
Environmental Sciences
For over
80 years, Modesto Junior College Agriculture has prepared students for their
future. Whether it is education and training to enter the workforce or pursue
higher educational aspirations, the MJC Agriculture staff has been a model of
professionalism providing "hands-on" skills and educational foundations for
student success. Most of the instructional staff has been recognized for their
contributions to agricultural education by being selected to the highest honor
bestowed by the
California Agriculture Teachers Association (CATA), the "Teacher of
Excellence". With an outstanding reputation, MJC Agriculture enjoys a great deal
of notoriety for its exemplary programs and leadership opportunities for
students.
With the most
comprehensive agriculture program in the country, MJC's agriculture
curriculum encompasses 18 Associate of
Science
Degrees and 11 Technician Certificates.
Commitment to excellence is evident in the instructional program, which
utilizes "state-of-the-art" technology and practical hands-on approaches to
student learning. The melding of traditional classrooms, laboratories and
shops with working agricultural enterprises on two farm laboratory sites
totaling over 100 acres, students not only learn the theory, but also apply
it to "real world" problems. West Campus Livestock laboratory units include:
beef, sheep, dairy, swine, and poultry as well as pasture and forage crop
production acreage. The newest addition to MJC's laboratory arsenal is the
62-acre Beckwith Ranch Instructional Laboratory. With walnuts, almonds,
grapes, and varietal fruit plantings, this site is a great example of
outstanding collaboration between education and industry. With industry
donations and technical advice, this facility has been developed almost
entirely by the willingness of industry to step forward and become true
partners in the educational process. Industry collaboration has always been
a "hallmark" of the Modesto Junior College Agriculture Program. Located in
the heart of California's agricultural diversity, industry field trips
enable students and staff to experience the latest and greatest developments
in technological advances in food and fiber production and processing, all
within 30 minutes of the campus.
Student
leadership has always been a highlight of the
program. With over 140 members
in the MJC
Young Farmers,
a Charter Affiliate of the Agriculture and Natural
Resources Organization of Student Leaders, students can take advantage of
many opportunities and competitions to hone their leadership skills such as
Ag Ambassadors, AGNROSL Leadership Competitions, Open House, FFA Field Day,
and local, state, and national judging contests.
There are also many opportunities for financial assistance for students attending Modesto Junior College. With over $50,000 in scholarships awarded each year, student internship housing opportunities, and the regular school state and federal financial aid, MJC offers an education that is available to everyone. While these are based on scholarship, activities, and leadership, many students take advantage of this excellent opportunity.
The Modesto Junior College Agriculture and Environmental Sciences Program offers a unique blend of "state-of-the-art" instruction offered by a diverse, talented and dedicated staff utilizing the most current technology in an applied class and farm laboratory setting. Augmenting this is the myriad of opportunities for students to develop life-long learning, leadership, management and team skills. It is our vision to continue to provide the most outstanding agricultural education experience for the existing and future leaders of this dynamic and rich agricultural industry, who will continue to serve the food and fiber needs of California, the United States, and the World.
