Crop Science Advanced

The Crop Science program at Merced College is designed to meet the need for trained personnel in a broad range of occupational opportunities involved with or related to producing crops. The Merced College Crop Science Program maintains 240 acres of cropland which serve as a laboratory for Crop Science students. Equipment and methods used in the program are of the latest type and follow current trends and practices in crop-oriented production areas. Students take an active part in the farming operations by planning individual as well as group projects. The student not only gains the theoretical knowledge associated with production, but also experiences “hands-on” practical application. Students of the Merced College Agriculture Division are raising a wide variety of crops including alfalfa, wheat, barley, corn, oats, almonds, and pasture. The operation also includes the raising of onion seed stock crops. Career Opportunities Only two out of ten Crop Science graduates are involved with the actual production end of Crop Science. They work as self-employed farmers or in the farming, ranching, or dairy environment. The remaining eight graduates find positions in crop-related occupations such as crop processing and marketing, commodity sales, agriculture chemical sales, irrigation district, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and banking and corporate holdings in Agriculture Management. These jobs are open to people from both urban and rural areas who have gathered their expertise through education in Crop Science. The Associate in Science Degree in Crop Science Advanced is available upon satisfactory completion of the graduation requirements in addition to 31 units from the following list. The core must be completed for this degree.

It is estimated that approximately 10 students would receive this degree.

The goal is to build stackable degrees for student success.

The Merced College Crop Science Program maintains 240 acres of cropland which serve as a laboratory for Crop Science students. Equipment and methods used in the program are of the latest type and follow current trends and practices in crop-oriented production areas. Students take an active part in the farming operations by planning individual as well as group projects. The student not only gains the theoretical knowledge associated with production, but also experiences “hands-on” practical application. Students of the Merced College Agriculture Division are raising a wide variety of crops including alfalfa, wheat, barley, corn, oats, almonds, and pasture. The operation also includes the raising of onion seed stock crops.

The career opportunities for this degree are endless. Only two out of ten Crop Science graduates are involved with the actual production end of Crop Science. They work as self-employed farmers or in the farming, ranching, or dairy environment. The remaining eight graduates find positions in crop-related occupations such as crop processing and marketing, commodity sales, agriculture chemical sales, irrigation district, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and banking and corporate holdings in Agriculture Management. These jobs are open to people from both urban and rural areas who have gathered their expertise through education in Crop Science.