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Submitter's Information

Name

Daisy Zaragoza

Title

Curriculum and Instructional Scheduling Analyst

Region

Central/Mother Lode

College

Merced College

CTE Dean

CTE Dean's Name

Cody Jacobsen

CTE Dean's Email

Log in to view CTE Dean's Email.

Program Details

Program Title

Agricultural Technology and Food Systems (AS)

Submission Type

New Program

TOPs Code

Agriculture Technology and Sciences, General (010100)

Projected Start Date

08/23/27

Catalog Description

The Associate of Science in Agricultural Technology and Food Systems prepares students for entry-level careers in the Central Valley’s food processing and agribusiness industries. Through hands-on training at the AgTEC Innovation Center, Merced College Farm, and Center for Ag Robotics and Entrepreneurship students learn to operate processing and packaging equipment, apply food safety protocols, and use basic precision agriculture tools.  Career opportunities include agricultural technicians, food science techniciansprocessing technician, quality assurance technician, packaging technician, agricultural operations technician, food safety technician, ag technology support specialistand agricultural inspector assistant 

The Associate of Science Degree in Agricultural Technology and Food Systems is available for students who meet the graduation requirements and complete the following required courses with a minimum grade of a "C" (or P) in each course in the degree and maintain a 2.0 GPA.

Enrollment Completer Projections

Year 1 enrollment: 15-20 students first time and continuing Agriculture Department students. 
Year 2 enrollment: 20-30  

Annual completers of 20 per year are anticipated, with a range of 15-30 per year.  

Program Proposal Attributes

Program Award Type(s) (Check all that apply)
  • A.S. Degree (S)
Program Goal

The primary goal of the AS in Agricultural Technology and Food Systems is workforce preparation in the high-demand Central Valley food processing and agribusiness sector (meat, nut, fruit, and vegetable processing, packaging, and basic agricultural technology). Students will gain entry-level technical skills for immediate employment while building a strong foundation for transfer into the college’s future BS program.  

Secondary objective: Transfer preparation for students who may continue at CSU/UC or other institutions via aligned general education and C-ID-eligible courses.  

Course Units and Hours

Total Certificate Units (Minimum and Maximum)

n/a

Units for Degree Major or Area of Emphasis (Minimum and Maximum)

28

Total Units for Degree (Minimum and Maximum)

60

Course Report

Program Requirements Narrative

The Associate of Science Degree in Agricultural Technology and Food Systems is available for students who meet the graduation requirements and complete the following required courses with a minimum grade of a "C" (or P) in each course in the degree and maintain a 2.0 GPA.

Program Requirements


Course IDNameUnits
AGRI-10   
Agriculture, Environment, and Society   
3
AGAB-02 
Agricultural Accounting  
3
AGAB-07 
Agricultural Sales and Communications  
3
AGFT-01 
Intro to Food Processing & Packaging  
3
AGFT-02 
Food Safety and Sanitation Fundamentals   
3
AGFT-03   
Agricultural Technology Basics   
3
AGPS-01
Elements of Plant Science *  
(OR AGAS-01 Elements of Animal Science) 
4
AGMA-02 
Agriculture Equipment 
3
NUTR-10   
Nutrition
3


Major Total: 28 units

Completion of MCCD-GE Breadth: 24 units

Elective (as needed to reach 60 units): 8 units

Total Degree: 60 units

Central/Mother Lode Regional Questions

Submission Details

Published at

05/27/26 - 12:23 PM

Last edited at

05/27/26 - 12:24 PM by Daisy Zaragoza

Status

Recommended

Return to Drafts

Please list the reason(s) for returning "Agricultural Technology and Food Systems (AS)". to Daisy Zaragoza's drafts. This message will be sent to daisy.zaragoza@mccd.edu

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