Food Safety in Animal Science

This program will result in the development of the basic skills and competencies required for students seeking entry-level employment in the food animal industry. Upon completion of this program of study, students will achieve certification in Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) and be able to perform food industry audits.

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The goal of this certificate of achievement program is to provide occupational skill training for students seeking a career in the Career Technical Education(CTE) field of Food Safety. 

As do all instructional programs on the Reedley College campus, the Animal Science Program participates in a regular program review process.  The last program review document, submitted in Fall 2015, highlighted the need to ensure that the selection of certificate and degree offerings provide realistic program completion opportunities for all students, including the many students who are unable to complete the general education requirements for the Associate of Science degree options.  The current selection of program options for animal science students is very limited.  Adding this new program will enable a greater number of students to become program completers and become immediately employable in the field of animal science, specifically related to the food safety and food processing industry.     

 In addition to utilizing the program review process for program improvement, the animal science program meets twice annually with an industry-based advisory committee to discuss industry/workplace needs and the enhancement of instructional programs to facilitate those needs.  Discussion soften focus on specific skill sets desired by employers as well as current industry trends and issues with which students must be familiar upon program completion.  The food safety field is one occupational area that has been proposed as a possible area of expansion due to the tremendous interest and need for trained individuals in the food safety sector within the college’s service area.

Library and Learning Resources Plan

All students have free access to the Reedley College library which houses a vast array of learning resources for students.  In addition, students arehighly encouraged to take advantage of the numerous free student servicesavailable on campus (e.g. Tutorial Center, Math Center, Writing Center, and many others),  All students are provided with Student Scheduling Guides (revised each semester) that contain degree and certificate program options, a schedule of course offerings, a scheduling template, information about student services, a listing of student leadership development activities, counseling service information, and other helpful tips and information.  This document is designed to assist students in completing their certificate/degree requirements as well as develop both the soft skills and technical skills needed to be successful in the workplace. . 

Facilities and Equipment Plan

The on-campus resources and facilities available to the animal science program are considerable.  Many of these facilities have been recently upgraded and additional renovation work is either in-progress or is planned.  The main components of the teaching facilities include:

• AGR 1 computer classroom (location for some lecture sessions, recently renovated)

• AGR 2 classroom (location of most lecture sessions)

• Complete remodel of the Meat Science/Food Science Lab

• Purchase of Cooler Trailer to store large carcasses and food products

• New:

  • Commercial grade refrigerator and freezer units

  • Sausage Stuffer

  • Vacuum pack sealer

  • Food smoker

  • Coffee roaster

  • Sinks, tables, and cabinets

  • Locking storage for small equipment

• Multi-purpose livestock facility

• Student employee living quarters (accommodates 4 people)

• 4 metal storage units, for equipment

The animal science facilities are ample to support the instructional needs of the Food Safety program.  Additionally, students enrolled in food safety courses will receive their HACCP certification form the international HACCP Alliance upon successful completion of the examination.

These facilities are located on various areas of the campus school farm, which in total covers nearly 300 acres and includes riparian habitat situated along the Kings River and Wahtoke Creek.  This acreage not only supports a variety of livestock and crop production, but is also home to a vast array of native wildlife.  The farm property, which is largely open to the public, is also utilized by numerous joggers, walkers, bikers, and horse riders throughout the year as well as by walking classes here on campus, and high school cross country teams.  Continued efforts are being made to manage the natural resources on campus in a way that not only provides additional low-cost feed resources for livestock, but also provides ecological benefits for the native flora and fauna, enhances the aesthetic value of the property, and also ensures safe access for the public. Trails on the school farm property are utilized for equitation instruction as well as for equine program-sponsored fund raising events.  These facilities are an excellent lab for our student to understand biohazard on farming facilities and cross contamination from the public.

Financial Support Plan           

Funding support for the program has been excellent.  Not only does the program receive annually allocated fund from district instructional budgets, but additional support from a wide array of other sources (such as Perkins funding, One-Time Funding, and the campus STEM grant project) has greatly benefitted the program.  These funding streams have enabled the program to obtain the equipment & technology necessary to improve teaching and learning as well as to make considerable improvements to the teaching facilities. Moreover, funds generated from the sale of livestock go back into a campus co-curricular fund to pay for animal feed and supplies.  The CA Community College Chancellor’s Office Doing What Matters Program has provided funds through the form of Industry Sector Projects In Common (ISPIC). The Ag Water Environmental Technology Sector has created an ISPIC Specifically for the development of food safety course work and certificates in AGNR programs. Reedley College is the recipient of funds from the food safety ISPCI to support the RC program.

Faculty Qualifications and Availability

The animal science program is currently served by two full time instructors, one Ag Projects Coordinator and three part time instructors as follows:

Full-Time Faculty Tenure Track:

David M. Lopes; Animal Science Instructor, B.S. & M.S. Degrees in Animal Science from California State University, Fresno

Desiree Molyneux; Animal Science Instructor, B.S. Animal Science, California State University, Fresno, M.S. Agriculture, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo

Certified HACCP train the trainer by the International HACCP Alliance

Certificated Faculty Non-Tenure Track:

Nancy Gutierrez; Ag Projects Coordinator, B.S. Agriculture Communication, California State University, Fresno

Certified HACCP train the trainer by the International HACCP Alliance

Dave Lopes is contracted for 177duty days annually for supervision of livestock herd management.  In addition, he volunteers his time on weekends, holidays, and during the summer oftentimes working 40 hours per week.  Thus, he is very available on campus. 

Desiree Molyneux is contracted177 days additionally she is the Women’s Equestrian Team head coach.  In addition, she volunteers her time on weekends, holidays, and during the summer oftentimes working 40 hours per week.  Thus, she is very available on campus. 

Nancy Gutierrez is contracted 206days as the statewide sector navigator for Agriculture Water Environmental Technology Sector, a key-talent position for the CCCCO’s Doing What Matters program. Her roles includes the facilitation and management of statewide-aligned coursework and projects. Her contract includes summer duty days and is very available on campus.

Part-Time (Adjunct) Faculty:

Jean Myers, General Livestock

Casey Crew, Equine Science Instructor

Tracy Terzian, Equine Science Instructor

The adjunct faculty that serve the program possess a high degree of subject matter expertise, backed by years of industry experience.  Their teaching schedules vary from semester to semester, but all three adjunct instructors devote numerous hours above and beyond to serve the needs of students in the program.  They are integrally involved in coaching teams (Livestock Show Team and Mule Packing Team), assisting with various leadership development events, advising clubs, managing the campus livestock herds, fund raising, and assisting with the recruitment activities of the program.  Their contributions are greatly valued. 

Based on model curriculum

All courses within the animal science program have been based on statewide model curricula.  The full-time instructors for this program has served as the animal science co-chair for the statewide Agriculture &Natural Resources curriculum committee for at least the past 10 years.  Additionally, they have been integrally involved in statewide grant projects focusing on the development and revision of model curriculum. 

Licensing or Accreditation Standards

Student who successfully complete the examination will receive their HACCP certification for the international HACCP Alliance.

Student Selection and Fees

The Reedley College Animal Science program is an open enrollment program.  There are no additional fees required beyond the standard campus fees.  Students wanting to receive their certificate from the International HACCP Alliance will be required to pay a 10.00 fee to the agency

Required Core Total: 12 units

TOTAL UNITS:            12 units

 Proposed Sequence: 

Year 1, Fall = 6 units 

Year 1, Spring =6  units

 TOTAL UNITS: 12 units