Innovative Ag Certificate Program Evolving With the Industry

By Luciana Chavez Special to Merced College

Tell me something new is working without telling me it’s working.

Easy: Merced College’s innovative Ag Systems Certificate Program has quadrupled in size from 20 participants for its Fall 2024 launch to 100 in October 2025.

The free noncredit program, which uses a competency-based education (CBE) model, allows students to progress at their own pace by demonstrating mastery in specific skills, preparing them for in-demand jobs in the agricultural industry.

“Our students are grateful for what they’re learning and say it applies so strongly to their work,” Professor of Agriculture Karl Montague said. “They come from all walks of life. Some are more knowledgeable in some areas and not others. People may struggle on one module, then race through the next. We are seeing it all. It is so exciting.”

Carlos Marquez, Operations Manager at Live Oak Farms in Le Grand, was part of the community team that shaped the curriculum for locals who want to enhance or add skills—computer literacy, automation, equipment operation, etc.—to stay relevant in agriculture.

“Everyone agreed we don’t have enough good technicians,” Marquez said. “Most farmworkers can’t afford to attend technical schools. So the program is geared to experienced laborers who need more skills to earn promotions or better-paying jobs.”

But, as the root offering of Merced College’s push for Competency-Based Education (CBE), the certificate pathway is also attracting a surprisingly diverse crowd.

Montague even praised Student Services Coordinator Nang Thao and Student Support Coordinator Jennifer Barajas—they are the Hmong- and Spanish-speaking liaisons, respectively—for their vigilance in recruiting prospects.

We’re talking students from UC Merced and Merced College, formerly incarcerated people rebuilding their lives with Restore Merced, and farm laborers shut off from traditional schooling and advancement.

Restore Merced

Merced native Jessica Howeth wasn’t interested in ag when she started the program last spring. She’d been striving for better since December 2022 when she joined Restore Merced, a program to help formerly incarcerated people get back to work and rebuild their lives.

Howeth started there with the litter abatement operation, and now supervises her own crew. A year ago, when she enrolled at Merced College as a Rising Scholar, an academic program for formerly incarcerated adults, people there encouraged her to try the ag systems certificate.

“What interested me most was the personal part, accomplishing personal goals, and then maybe one day I’ll grow something for myself to eat,” she said. “Learning how to grow things, that comes with responsibility. Learning the hard choices that come with taking responsibility, I needed that.”

Howeth appreciates how Merced College instructors break down concepts.

“If you need help, they’re fabulous,” she said. “Also a handful of people where I work are now completing the certificate, and I’ve been able to help them.”

Howeth will begin her final module this month. The work has changed her.

“It has lifted my self-esteem, and I feel so much more confident,” she said. “Challenging myself here, I know there isn’t anything that I can’t explore or be proactive with.”

Ag Workers

The certificate program is self-paced to fit different schedules. That suited Marquez, who has a full-time job and two daughters.

Yes, the industry veteran who advanced from ranch laborer to manager in 10 years, the same man who helped develop the certificate, completed the program himself to help test it.

“Most of the practice and training I did here at work, though I also had guidance from the college’s instructors,” Marquez said.

Marquez said he now better understands electrical, hydraulic and pneumatic systems, as well as high-voltage equipment. He has a stronger grasp of occupational safety regulations.

“It builds confidence when you more deeply understand what you’re doing,” Marquez said. “It was absolutely worth my time.”

Other Live Oak Farms employees are also working on certificates. More will start this month.

“We use so many different types of tractors and tools in our operation,” Marquez said. “Our workers now doing the certificate program are already able to dial in on GPS systems and direct automated tractors. They’re learning new technologies. Every system is different, but they learn a range of what’s out there. The experience makes them more capable of identifying problems and keeping people safe.”

Merced College’s certificate helps people catch up and stay on top of the constant updates and upgrades in ag. There are not enough good technicians to fix and maintain equipment and systems right now. That’s where the good-paying jobs are.

“Big companies, small companies, everyone is in the same boat,” Marquez. “If we can get young adults into this program, we can get them going in the right direction. But I’d tell any laborer, keep advancing. Take every class you can. As long as you keep an open mind and keep learning, you’ll have a good job. It boils down to how hungry you are for it.”

Program Success

Everyone who helped shaped the certificate curriculum met this summer to discuss what worked and what needed adjusting.

“We want to stay fluid, because the industry is so fluid,” Montague said. “Ultimately, we will do that better as more people interact with the program and share their feedback.”

It’s early days yet, but the college has also begun designing an expansion to the certificate’s foundational curriculum to create associate and bachelor’s degree pathways.

“As the industry changes, the certificate will have to evolve,” Montague said. “We will definitely see more opportunities for hands-on learning in our fruit, vegetable, nut and meat processing areas. There is great potential to go further in-depth or add competencies.”

Local employers are already embracing the program. Some are encouraging employees to complete the certificate. Others are putting money behind it.

“The companies we work with all say the program is valuable for their employees and a way to grow their businesses,” Montague said. “That’s awesome to hear. Not everyone can promise graduates will automatically make more money. But students are learning great skills that can garner more pay.”

Merced College Dean of Agriculture and Industrial Technology Cody Jacobsen said California Dairy Farms has offered a $3,000 stipend to their employees who complete the certificate. Another partner will increase hourly wages $1-3 upon completion.

How will Merced College keep the certificate program relevant when industry technology is evolving so rapidly?

“We have to remain flexible,” Montague said. “That’s the name of the game with competency-based education. And CBE will grow across campus. Next up is the child development program. It’s fun to see how things are shaping up here.”