Horticulture Technician

The Horticultural Technician Certificate is intended for students interested in a career in the seed industry or agricultural research. Students will gain the necessary skills and knowledge to assist with plant breeding, seed enhancement, and agriculture research programs. Students are encouraged to consider transfer to a four-year university to continue studies in a selected area of specialization within this crucial industry. This certificate contains all the required major coursework for an AS in Agriculture with an Emphasis in Horticulture Technician. 

Course Name and Number	2014-2019 Enrollments	2014-2019 Retention	2014-2019 Success
ABT‐58 – Agriculture Laws and Regulations	343	89%	77%
ABT-66 – Introduction to Geographic Information Systems	N/A	N/A	N/A
ABT-83 – Integrated Pest Management Principles in Plant Pathology	49	84%	67%
ABT‐90 – Soil Science	663	84%	67%
ABT‐92 – Plant Science	635	78%	60%
ABT-98 – Fertilizers and Plant Nutrition	143	78%	66%
ABT‐99 – Cooperative Work Experience	162	85%	68%
ABT‐57 – Agriculture Computer Applications	233	90%	84%
BUS‐43 – Business Information Systems and Info Literacy	791	81%	66%
BUS‐50 – Introduction to PC Applications	255	82%	65%
BIO-59 – Biological Research Methods	8	100%	100%

• demonstrate problem-solving techniques and critical thinking skills while engaged in  a crop production or agricultural research setting.

• demonstrate an understanding of basic scientific laboratory techniques, and agricultural research practices.

• prepare and deliver business documents and use math skills in appropriate form, format, and language essential for career success in an agricultural production or research setting.

• demonstrate professional and personal development of work habits and safety practices.

1. Certificates of Achievement Narrative

• Program Goals and Objectives: 

• demonstrate problem-solving techniques and critical thinking skills while engaged in  a crop production or agricultural research setting.

• demonstrate an understanding of basic scientific laboratory techniques, and agricultural research practices.

• prepare and deliver business documents and use math skills in appropriate form, format, and language essential for career success in an agricultural production or research setting.

• demonstrate professional and personal development of work habits and safety practices.

• Catalog Description: The Horticultural Technician Certificate is intended for students interested in a career in the seed industry or agricultural research. Students will gain the necessary skills and knowledge to assist with plant breeding, seed enhancement, and agriculture research programs. Students are encouraged to consider transfer to a four-year university to continue studies in a selected area of specialization within this crucial industry. This certificate contains all the required major coursework for an AS in Agriculture with an Emphasis in Horticulture Technician. 

• Program Requirements: Required Major Courses:

Course Name and Number	Units
ABT-49   Introduction to Agriculture Business	3
ABT‐58  Agriculture Laws and Regulations	3
ABT-83  Integrated Pest Management Principles in Plant Pathology	3
ABT‐90  Soil Science	3
ABT‐92  Plant Science	3
ABT-98  Fertilizers and Plant Nutrition	3
ABT‐99  Cooperative Work Experience	1-3
ABT‐57  Agriculture Computer ApplicationsORBUS‐43  Business Information Systems and Info LiteracyORBUS‐50  Introduction to PC Applications	3-4

Subtotal: 22-25 units 

Restricted Major Electives (select two courses): 

Course Name and Number	Units
ABT-95  Introduction to Small Fruit Science	3
ABT-96  Vegetable Crop Production	3
ABT-97  Vineyard Production and Management	3
ABT‐160  Introduction to Agriculture	3

Subtotal: 6 units

Total Major Units: 28-31 units 

Required Math and English Classes for Certificate: 

MAT-106 Integrated Mathematics 3 units

ENG-102 Composition and Reading for Career and Technical Education 3 units

(Higher level math and English courses can also be used to meet this requirement. Students who plan to earn an Associate’s degree and/or transfer should take the math and English courses required for the degree or transfer level.)

Total Units: 34-37 units

• Master Planning: This certificate aligns with the mission statement of the college which is, “Focusing on the education and workforce development needs of communities in the Salinas Valley, Hartnell College strengthens communities by providing opportunities for students to reach career and/or academic goals (associate degrees, certificates of achievement, transfer to four-year institutions) in an environment committed to student learning, achievement and success.”
  
  According to numbers provided by the USDA, agriculture and food related industries contribute $1.053 trillion to U.S. gross domestic product and provide 21.6 millions full- and part-time jobs.  Annually, agriculture contributes $4 billion to Monterey’s economic output and supports 76,000 jobs.  This certificate was designed to train students to enter the workforce with the skills that they need to enter the agriculture industry.

• Enrollment and Completer Projections:
  
  Enrollment and Completer Projections for Level 1 Certificate Courses

Course Name and Number	2014-2019 Enrollments	2014-2019 Retention	2014-2019 Success
ABT‐58 – Agriculture Laws and Regulations	343	89%	77%
ABT-66 – Introduction to Geographic Information Systems	N/A	N/A	N/A
ABT-83 – Integrated Pest Management Principles in Plant Pathology	49	84%	67%
ABT‐90 – Soil Science	663	84%	67%
ABT‐92 – Plant Science	635	78%	60%
ABT-98 – Fertilizers and Plant Nutrition	143	78%	66%
ABT‐99 – Cooperative Work Experience	162	85%	68%
ABT‐57 – Agriculture Computer Applications	233	90%	84%
BUS‐43 – Business Information Systems and Info Literacy	791	81%	66%
BUS‐50 – Introduction to PC Applications	255	82%	65%
BIO-59 – Biological Research Methods	8	100%	100%

Current Program Completers

Program Awards	2015	2016	2017	2018	2019	2020
AS-T Agriculture Business	2	6	8	3	7
AS-T Plant Science
AS Agriculture with area of Emphasis
CoA Agriculture Business
CoA Agriculture Production
CoA Food Safety

• Place of Program in Curriculum/Similar Programs: The Agriculture program currently offers three certificates and three degrees as follows:
  
  

Award	Units Required
Certificate of Achievement – Agriculture Business	27-31
Certificate of Achievement – Agriculture Production	27-30
Certificate of Achievement – Food Safety	12
Associate of Science Degree - Agriculture with an Area of Emphasis	60
AS-T Agriculture Business	60
AS-T Plant Science	60

The introduction of new certificates to the current agriculture program is intended to offer students more specialized options specifically tailored to the student’s interest and job aspirations.

Course Name and Number	Units
ABT-49   Introduction to Agriculture Business	3
ABT‐58  Agriculture Laws and Regulations	3
ABT-83  Integrated Pest Management Principles in Plant Pathology	3
ABT‐90  Soil Science	3
ABT‐92  Plant Science	3
ABT-98  Fertilizers and Plant Nutrition	3
ABT‐99  Cooperative Work Experience	1-3
ABT‐57  Agriculture Computer ApplicationsORBUS‐43  Business Information Systems and Info LiteracyORBUS‐50  Introduction to PC Applications	3-4

Subtotal: 22-25 units 

Restricted Major Electives (select two courses): 

Course Name and Number	Units
ABT-95  Introduction to Small Fruit Science	3
ABT-96  Vegetable Crop Production	3
ABT-97  Vineyard Production and Management	3
ABT‐160  Introduction to Agriculture	3

Subtotal: 6 units

n/a

Annabelle Rodriguez at Cabrillo College and she had no objections