ISSUE # 1 SPRING/SUMMER 2024 MJC SCHOOL OF AGRICULTURE
"You know, farming looks mighty easy when your plow is a pencil, and you're a thousand miles from the corn field."
ByDwightD.Eisenhower
Address at Bradley University, Peoria, Illinois, 9/25/56
GREETINGS
The ‘23-‘24 school year has ended. After 28 years of classroom instruction, it is truly my pleasure to have served as the Interim Dean in the School of Agriculture, and now officially the Dean.
I came into Ag Education in 1996 teaching at Livingston High School in the area of Ag Mechanics. In 1999, I moved to Turlock Unified School District where I would spend the next 14 years serving in a variety of roles. Most notable was the founding of the Pitman-Turlock FFA chapter. In 2013-14, I would return to my alma mater Oakdale High School for a year to help the program. The following year Modesto Junior College would have an opening, concluding my 18 years of service to the K-12 and opening the next chapter.
Three generations of my family have benefitted from the education provided to the central valley by Modesto Junior College. My father received an A.S. degree from MJC in 1972. My brother, sister in-law, and myself all graduated from MJC in the mid to late ‘80’s. And now two nieces, one nephew, and my daughter have all graduated from MJC as well. My family has recognized the value of MJC for the past 50+ years. Serving as the Interim Dean for the School of Agriculture was an incredible opportunity to insure that we continue to provide for the community we serve. Officially Dean, I look forward to the future.
In this issue, you’ll meet or get reacquainted with the community that is specifically MJC Agriculture. From our students, to staff, and community, this program continues to provide support and education to all those interested in expanding their knowledge of Ag Education.
Thank you for your continued support of MJC and our future. I am honored and privileged to serve, giving back to a school that has given so much to our community.
Respectfully,
Troy A. Gravatt | Instructional Dean, School of Agriculture
New Hires 1
Cover Crop Research at MJC 4, 5, 12
Highlighted Updates 2, 3, 9 Industry Tour 5,6
Dr Stan Hodges 7, 8
Lee Bucknell 9
Calendar, History 10-17
CROP CIRCLES is published for our community supporters by the School of Agriculture.
Office of the School of Agriculture 209-575-6200
Sr. Administrative Secretary – Berlina Napoleon
Administrative Specialist – Rhonda Deming
Accounting Technician – Lisa Allen
Manager Farm Operations Andy Alderson
Manager West Operations John Macedo
Cover Photo Credited to: MJC Agriculture Alumni and current OSU Ag Communications Major Morgan Gravatt
Find us at the following: mjc.edu/schools/agge/
from 1924
HIRED 2023-24
Kyle Beeman
Department: Ag Mechanics
Specialty: Irrigation
Education: OSU & Cal Poly MS
Hometown: Sonora, CA
Fun Fact: His hobby’s do include beekeeping.
Mikaela Fringer
Department: Animal Science
Specialty: Swine
Education: Fresno MS & BS
Western IL University
Hometown: Madera
Fun Fact: Favorite breed, Hamps, inspired by Mr. Leal’s passion for the breed.
Joel Speiller, DVM
Department: Animal Science
Specialty: Veterinary Tech
Education: University of Florida
Hometown: Sunrise, FL
Fun Fact: Moved to California specifically for the Dairy Industry.
Tim Brown
Department: Plant Science
Specialty: Crop Production
Education: Cal Poly, SLO
Hometown: Anderson, CA
Fun Fact: Has an affinity for roasting coffee beans.
Frederick Knoor, B.S. Agriculture, 1924 – Coach – Asst Football & Rifle Club (picture
“The Buccaneer” school yearbook)
1940 Buccaneer – yearbook
USDA MEAT INDUSTRY TOUR
by SIENNA DAVIES
Over the winter break two MJC students were invited to tour agricultural industries across California with Cal Poly students. On this trip, these students toured a variety of industries including lamb/poultry/pork processing, spices, further processed meats, and livestock equipment. They were able to see firsthand where a lot of our food comes from in the state of California and learned about the valuable aspects of each processing facility.
Over the summer, Sienna and Lorna will take some of the information they learned on the trip and use it to raise broilers for the Cal Poly poultry unit in San Luis Obispo.
Huge thanks to Cal Poly, Sci-Fi Foods, Superior Farms, ABCO labs, Courage Production, Foster Farms, Yosemite Foods, Squab Nuts, Alpha Production, and Certified Meats for allowing MJC students to tour their wonderful facilities over the break!
LIVESTOCK JUDGING TEAM (PRESENT TEAM) -
Coach Terpstra’s update
The summer was spent judging master showmanship contests at county fairs around the state to earn travel funds, they were ready to start judging once the fall semester rolled around. They started the season in Nebraska at the Aksarben contest to get their feet wet, then headed to Cow Palace where the placed 3rd, then the Triple Crown that consisted of The MJC all swine Fall Classic, the UC Davis West Coast Elite Sheep & Goat Contest, and the Chico State all cattle contest. The Triple Crown did not recognize team placings, only individuals. In the MJC contest, Trinity Harter was 4th and Grace Harkrader was 3rd. At UC Davis, Ashlyn Machado was 2nd and Harkrader was 8th. In the Triple Crown sweepstakes which tracked contestants' results over all three contests and attracted schools from as far east as Pennsylvania, Harkrader was 7th amongst both junior and senior college contestants. The season ended with a trip to the Arizona Nationals, where both the Freshman and Sophomore teams placed third amongst the teams and the sophomores were 1st in swine. Most notable were the individual highlights: Grace Harkrader- 1st high individual overall, 2nd in sheep & goats, 2nd in swine Ashlyn Machado- 5th high individual overall, 4th in cattle Trinity Harter- 3rd in swine Molly Terpstra1st in sheep & goats Marki Owen- 5th in swine
The livestock judging team competed at the NACTA contest in Idaho this past April.
NACTA North American Colleges & Teachers of Agriculture
2023 Hosted by MJC, Notable Placings: 1st Ag Com, 1st Ag Mech, 1st Dairy Management
2024 MJC traveled to Twin Falls, Idaho with 30 students participating and 4 advisors attending.
MJC Dairy
Judging Wraps
up 34 Years of Competing on the National Stage
Submitted by Paris Cabral and Nicole Morris
This year’s team consisted of Paris Cabral – Turlock, Tyler Miranda – Turlock, Morgan Ramirez – Merced and Blake Zimmer – Turlock.
In September, the team traveled to the East Coast from New York to Massachusetts to Pennsylvania. This is a great trip to see colored dairy breeds like Ayrshire, Guernsey and Milking Shorthorn which are not found in California. They competed at the Big “E” Eastern Exposition in West Springfield, Massachusetts bringing home 2nd High Team Overall. The next day, 335 miles south in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania the team competed at the All-American Invitational Dairy Judging Contest. Tyler Miranda, Turlock was 9th High Individual Overall, Paris Cabral was 10th High Individual, and the team walked away with 4th High Team Overall.
Up next the team traveled to Madison, Wisconsin for the 34th Annual Post-Secondary Dairy Judging Contest at the World Dairy Expo. The first contest was held in 1989, coached by Hal Carlton. Modesto Junior College took the first National Championship Title. Since its inception, MJC is one of 3 colleges that has attended every year had is the team with the most victories. In the late 1990’s World Dairy Expo added a second contest, the Practical Dairy Contest which focuses on students working as a management team to analyze data and make decisions on reproduction, cattle selection, and genetics. In the fall, Modesto Junior College took home back-toback national titles winning the practical contest for the second year in a row, winning the Commercial Heifers and the Corrective Mating portions of the contest. Paris Cabral was 4th in Linear Scoring and Morgan Ramirez was 6th .
On Sunday, October 1st the team competed in the traditional dairy judging contest, evaluating 12 classes of cattle, and preparing 5 sets of reasons. It was a great contest, the team was High Team in Ayrshire breed, High Team in the Jersey breed, and 3 High Team Overall. Paris Cabral was 5th High Individual Overall and Blake Zimmer was 7th High Individual Overall.
The last competition of the season for this team was at the North American International Livestock Exposition in Louisville, Kentucky in November. After judging 10 classes of cattle, the team was 3rd High Team Overall, Paris Cabral was 8th High Individual and Morgan Ramirez was 9th High Individual. It always makes for a very busy fall semester, but our team loved traveling, visiting dairy farms across the US, evaluating high end dairy cattle, making connections within the dairy industry, and creating core memories.
RYAN PATTERSON
Department: Agriculture Mechanics
Area of Specialty: Welding Fabrication
Education: Fresno State
Hometown: Penn Valley, CA
1950 Buccaneer – yearbook
Ruben Silva, Ken Frost, Laverne Donker
Cover Crops Research
Write-up contributed by the School of Agriculture, MJC
For the better part of 20 years MJC has been partnered with Kamprath Seed Inc. out of Stockton, CA. Under the supervision of Tom Johnson, Agronomist, leading the research. The area located on West Campus, MJC has been benefitted from the educational opportunities for students and community. While the area on West Campus has been altered over the years the educational hands-on benefit has remained. Currently, there is about 1.8 acres that is being used in ongoing educational research and education.
TIM TRUAX
Department: Animal Science
Area of Specialty: Sheep & Poultry Production
Education: CSUS Fresno State Hometown: Turlock, CA
Cover crops, a general definition first, this is generally considered a secondary crop or temporary crop, planted to provide seasonal protection and soil improvements in and around a primary crop. The examples of cover crops would include crops like grasses, small grains, and/or legumes. Second, how new is this concept? Agriculture developed around 10,000 years ago in an area referred to as the Fertile crest, the Middle East, and spread outward. There is evidence in India and China that this practice had been practiced in the early development of Agriculture in these regions. The Romans were noted as using cover crops in 29 B.C.E. by Latin poet Virgil. Even the Founding Father’s George Washington and Thomas Jefferson, both very interested in crop production, were noted as using cover crops to add benefit to the soil. So the concept is not new, cover crop concept fell off during the industrial revolution with the introduction of fertilizers and chemicals.
So what do we know cover crops do? Cover crops prevent soil erosion (protecting bare soil), provides organic content to soil, opens soil structure for moisture penetration, helps water filtration, and provides soil nutrients. Additional potential to help with pest control issues, increased biodiversity (monoculture), carbon sequestration, Nitrogen fixing, and invasive weed control.
I recently attended a science gathering, that was discussing carbon sequestration, and I heard one of the lead scientist discussed how they had driven through the central valley from the bay area and seen no examples of cover crop. Which brings us to the point of MJC participating and promoting the good things farmers have been doing. There is more to cover crops than what the average person driving by the farm sees from the road. Cover crops are generally planted after the main crop is harvested, so timing is everything, but there are also many factors that affect the planting.
Madison Kelly
Transfer Student: Texas Tech F2023
Major: Animal Science with a business concentration
Hometown: Byron, California
Favorite memory from MJC: Traveling on the livestock judging team, competing at contests, being high individual in reasons as the Arizona National as well as my two years spent working in the swine unit working with Mr. Mendes and Mr. Gravatt
There are more than a few factors influencing what is seen and what is happening. As noted, the cover crop could be as simple a grass or a clover and the growth is generally affected by weather conditions. The timing to plant after harvest in conjunction with seed mix selection (not all seed mixes equal what the soil needs) and weather conditions can dramatically influence the germination and success of the crop. And while this is a temporary crop, farmers must also gauge the cover crop, once established, to determine when the crop should be mowed or turned under. If they
wait too long it could affect the harvest of the primary crop. Either way farmers here in the Central Valley can see the benefits of the cover crops demonstrated.
What does the MJC Research area demonstrate? Vegetative growth, timing and seed mix, this year we are slightly above average on total precipitation and we received more after the first of the year there are seed mixes that did well and others struggled. Photo #1 and #2 show two plantings 2 months apart that grew as expected. Both plantings have a mix of mustards, wild radish, Fava beans, oats, clovers, and grass. In photo #1 you can see about a 2’ to 3’ advantage over photo #2. Based on the earlier planting it’s obvious #1 has benefitted from the two months. Most tree and vine farmers would not benefit from allowing this cover crop to grow to this size. The breakdown of this organic matter back into the soil could be a deterrent to the future crops. Clover can be found deep down in these plantings and would have benefitted from a mowing earlier. Also, available at this research site are an additional 20+ plots of specific individual crops that show dramatic differences. Stop by and visit.
Cover Crop Legumes used in CA
• Ladino, Crimson, Yellow Sweet, White, and Subterranean Clover
• Common, Purple, & Hairy Vetch
• Fava Bean
• Peas
Special thanks to Tom Johnson for his dedication to these demonstration plots that show the growth different varieties. Please stop by & look.
Cover Crop Non-Legumes used in CA
• Barley
• Oats
• Wheat
• Triticale
• Radish
• Mustard
Department: Animal Science
Area of Specialty: Dairy Science Education: Cal Poly, SLO Hometown: Escalon
WINTER INDUSTRY TOUR 2023-24
Incredible experiences with a group of outstanding young agricultural leaders within the department. Our mission: to deep dive into the world of agriculture, exploring internships, job opportunities, and policy’s within the industry.
Our first stop, Yosemite Foods! The team there welcomed us and shared valuable insights unto the processing facility, offering a firsthand look at the heart of their operations. We express our gratitude and thankfulness for the opportunity to learn about the multitude of job opportunities available within agricultural sector.
Thank you Yosemite Foods for opening your door to us!
Winter
Industry tour Continued..
Yara International! Yara is an international wholesale fertilizer distributor operating through the Port of Stockton, where we were warmly welcomed. Their mission is to responsibly feed the world and protect the planet. The team generously shared valuable sights into their processing facility, providing a firsthand glimpse into the core of their operation. We express immense gratitude for the chance to discover yet another amazing job opportunities within the agriculture sector.
Thank you Yara International for giving us this opportunity!
THE WINTER TOUR CONCLUSION.. The Agricultural Council of California, where we dove into the political landscape of California. Engaging with lobbyists during our tour, we acknowledged insights into pivotal matters like water rights and political challenges within the agricultural sector. We are grateful for the opportunity to explore diverse career paths in agriculture, this experience not only enlightened us but also kindled a passion for dynamic opportunities that lie ahead.
Erica Mattingly
Transferred student: CSU Fresno F23
Major : Animal Sci. & Ag Ed.
Hometown: Turlock, California
Favorite memory from MJC:
The MJC FFA Field Day stands out as a cherished highlight. Serving as the committee chair for the Floriculture contest in both 2022 and 2023 was an honor. Working along the side of mentors Mrs. Krista Vannest and Mrs. Kristi Short, I navigated the complexities, ensuring a successful outcome.
Our sincere thanks go out to Dennis Alani, Tricia Geringer, Senator Marie Alvarado Gil, and Assemblyman Juan Alanis for meeting with us in Sacramento!
The California Farm Bureau and got a visit from Blue Diamond Growers. We learned about a new e-commerce program Blue Diamond growers is launching for their membership. Joe and Coe discussed marketing and sales techniques and the importance of influencers. We wrapped up the day with an exercise in leadership hosted by our very own Ryan Amaral in his new position at California Farm Bureau. Engaging with these companies we garnered valuable insights into important matters such as marketing ploys, goal setting, and reflection.
Thank you Blue Diamond Growers and Ryan Amaral for meeting with us, as well as California Farm Bureau for hosting us for the evening!
1951 Buccaneer – yearbook
LEARN BY DOING
By Dr. Stan Hodges (Emeritus) – 2/9/24
This concept was embraced to provide MJC Agriculture Students the opportunity to actually perform the skills that were presented in the classes on campus. In the early years of the Dept., the staff did not have the facilities that would allow the students to actually practice many of the skills being presented in class. As a result, a partnership was developed with our Agriculture Community to create opportunities to teach those skills. Most of the staff had co-operators that allowed them to use their facilities, animals, land, and equipment to expose students direct to hands-on experience.
A few examples:
• Horticulture – Farmers made their orchards available for students to cultivate orchards, plant trees, prune, lay out and plant new orchards.
• Farmers of field crops allowed students to participate in preparing fields for planting new crops and to perform all operations.
• Ag Mechanics students were allowed to operate equipment in orchards and field crops.
• Livestock students were allowed to work animals on ranches. Dairy students traveled to dairies to work animals, operate milking parlors, practice AI & castration.
Jennifer Terpstra
Department: Animal Science
Area of Specialty: Beef Science
• Local tractor & machinery dealers would conduct demonstrations in their shop, then allow the students to perform.
• Tractor dealers loaned the Dept. tractors and machinery for students to operate.
During those times before the community college system was developed, the primary source of funding was the Carl Perkins Funds, which was not much.
As a result, our vehicles, equipment and most of our supplies came from Army Surplus.
For many years if we did not have transportation for students, we had them meet us at the laboratory sites. The Dept. did manage to acquire some buses from Army Surplus which we made road ready by our shop students. They probably would not have met today’s standards. Vehicles for staff were acquired in the same way.
The Dept. did manage to gain access to some properties. As an example, Ed Leal made a deal with our local radio station to use their property on Sylvan.
Jenna Moore
Transferred student: Cal Poly F20
Major : Animal Sci. & Ag Ed.
Hometown: Turlock, California
Favorite memory from MJC: Being part of the Young Farmers club and attending YF activities, this allowed me to make some of my closest friends.
for me!
The YF volleyball tournament is a standout memory
Circa. 1951 Buccaneer
~LEARN BY DOING~
Students worked the ground up and planted pastures fenced it, built some shelters and used the property as sheep pasture. He also had an arrangement with a farmer on Coffee Rd. to use a large farm to provide a facility to raise swine.
Larry Banks, who taught some night classes, allowed staff to use 7-10 acres on Prescott Rd. near 99. Staff used it to plant some crops and to house other livestock, give students experience operating equipment working some livestock, planting and harvesting crops.
Each staff member had a number of students assigned to them to advise and supervise their work experience. Staff visited them at their work experience site. If the students did not have a work experience site, staff worked with them to find one. Again, they were dependent on our Ag community.
In the mid 60’s the staff were allowed to develop the open ground at the government mental hospital (now West Campus). After Gov. Reagan granted the facility to the College, staff were able to do much more. SO many of the labs were conducted there. Ag Mechanics began moving buildings to different spots on the property to provide housing for livestock. Students were allowed to operate equipment to tear down many of the hospital buildings.
A large building on the East side of the property was utilized as a shop, where students repaired equipment! Much of which was donated to the Dept. by our Ag Community.
As the site was cleared of buildings, it provided more space to farm. So classes worked up the ground, planted pastures, built fences, planted crops and started raising animals. The arboretum was developed by the OH classes.
Even though staff were able to do many of their labs on West Campus, many were still conducted in the Ag community. The partnerships with many of our co-operators still exist today. Some programs never stopped using co-operators, they were just not as dependent as in the past.
Cole Marchy
Transferred Student: Kansas State F’20 Agricultural Technology Management production w/minor in Agronomy Graduated 2023
Hometown: Modesto, California
Favorite memory from MJC: The connections and opportunities that were available to the students. If you wanted to go into a specific field, the MJC agriculture department would do their best to get you in front of those companies and succeed.
CURRENTLY: Contract Test Technician for Sage Ag INC.
Due to the commitment of Learn by Doing, most all MJC Ag Classes have a laboratory component. For those classes that required more technical skills, emphasis was placed on Work Experience. For students that complete a certificate in one of their fields, they are very employable and all students who complete are prepared to transfer to a 4-year institution. “Best wishes for another 100 years of “Learn by Doing”.
~ Dr. S. Hodges
Dr. Stan Hodges 19651984, Instructor, Dean & College President
Driver Richard Nimphius
Frank Espinola 1960-1976
1956 Buccaneer – yearbook
The MJC Pullin’ Pirates Club ~ Mad Professor Team
MJC is back at the pulls and back hosting our truck and tractor pull.
Hosted Oct. 14th and 15th 2023, the two day event held inside the Pavilion , with amazing pullers and spectators our first event back since Covid.
The “Mad Professor” team for this years event was: Emilio Naranjo, Jacob Dugo, Nick teVelde, Alexis Screck, Loraina Lyle, Abby Alvares, Kirsten Larson, Taylor Melgosa, Gen Homen, Katie Homen, Josie Homen, Josh Hack, Jersey Tager, Michael Alamo, Colton Bryan, Matthew Perry, Blake Zimmer, Andrew Warren, Zoe McCann, and ADVISOR Mr. Conrado.
JOIN US October 12, 2024!!!
100 years of Ag
“Learn by Doing Hands-on Instruction”
~ Lee Bucknell (Emeritus) 3/18/24 ~
As the college grew, so did the need for opportunity. Classes were often held out doors and in spaces that were available. Shop, crops and livestock experiences were in various places on East campus across Caldwell Ave. In the 60’s, Larry Banks, a former Esparto HS Ag teacher, made available his property on Prescott Rd. Livestock and crops were grown and cared for at this location. Dept. Chair Ernie Tarone showed the large activity on the school farm.
By the beginning of the 70’s our handson instruction was centered on the empty fields of the former Modesto State hospital site that eventually became the West Campus. West Campus developed over the decades with student labor primarily. Tarone had the staff work a half day on Saturdays during this development. While developing the crop field; 10 acres, Stan Hodges and Lee Bucknell hauled rocks and concrete debris out of that field for years while students were doing tractor work.
During the 1970’s, Lee Bucknell taught a Vegetable Gardening class on the main campus. The students planted and maintained a wide variety of vegetables through the summer.
The Ag Dept. has always used cooperators for field trips and field instruction. This procedure was a strong vehicle for skill building Work experience with the ag industry provided valuable experience not available on the campus. Our connection with the industry was most valuable. Continued competent instruction in the present day will guarantee a successful Ag program far into the future.
“Excited to watch the program grow”.
Respectfully ~ L. Bucknell
Julia Scarborough
Transfer Student to: Chico F’22
Major: Ag Science
Hometown: Porterville, CA
Favorite memory from MJC: Student housing was a blast, 27 other students from all over the country. Working with Mr. Mendes at the Swine Unit as an intern was the best! Mr. Gravatt made us feel like we were home on West Campus.
HARVEST PARTY in the PAVILION
Held on 11/11/23 the event was once again sold out. The pictures above demonstrate the community support for the School of Agriculture. This annual event brings the community and alumni together to celebrate. The dinner does not disappoint with a steak and chicken entrée along with a variety of sides, the plates are full and attendees satisfied.
We look forward to seeing everyone NOVEMBER 9, 2024.
Morgan Gravatt
Transfer Student to: Oklahoma State University F’23 Ag Communications & Fashion Merchandising
Hometown: Oakdale, California
Favorite memory from MJC: My time as the sheep unit intern and living on West Campus was AMAZING! MJC staff made my transfer out-ofstate possible, Thanks MJC Ag.
1987: Kelly Freitas, Tracie DeAtley, Mike Bianchi, Kelly Bianchi, and Gina Diaz.
MJC
LIVESTOCK JUDGING
A LOOK
1990: Sherri Nail, Tracy Johnston, Bryan Benafield, Mike Harcksen, Marc Smith, Bret Theodozio, Clint Cummings, Todd Taylor, Joe Gonsalves, Stacy Layne, and Leisa Wenstrand.
Through the years DO YOU RECOGNIZE ANY NAMES? INDUSTRY? AG LEADERS? JUDGES? NEIGHBORS? TRADITION?
1998: Coach Nicewonger, Matt Leo, Sarah Nesler, Blaine Rodgers, Kristy Baird, Cody Domenghini, and Coach Mendes
1991: Marc Smith, Clay Weber, Bret Theodozio, Ryan Watje, Bryan Benafield, Coach Nicewonger
1996-97: Shane Strickler, James Backman, Jed Asmus, Jim Dismukes, Ryan Sullivan, John Relvas, Amy Reed, Cody Reid, and Christina Brookshire.
2022-23: Maris Prado, Jack Bertram, Abigail Freeman, Morgan Gravatt, and Madison Kelley
2004: Jordan Parsons, Jonathan Hjelmervik, Amanda Schnoor, Gabe Ponce, and Shane Doering.
2002: Lauren Cerkins, Craig Dickerson, Corey Weber, Adam Mendonza, and MC Gomes.
Barley demonstration examples being grown at the plant science research area just behind Mary Stuart Rogers Building on West Campus.
The Secretary of CDFA, Karen Ross We took a deep dive into California’s agriculture issues and discussed the state’s responses. The warmth of the California Department of Food and Agriculture team provided valuable insights, offering a firsthand look into their core operations. We
Troy Gravatt
Department: Agriculture
Environmental Science Specialty: Ag Engineering Technology
Full-Time: Summer 2014
Education: Cal Poly, SLO Fall 1995
Hometown: Oakdale, CA
Ag office and support staff are second to none. Always ready to help and have fun. Christmas around campus w/ Nick Tobin, Rhonda Deming, Lisa Allen, Berlina Napoleon, and Troy Gravatt.
Industry Legends have graced our halls, such as plant Geneticist Floyd Zaiger, who taught classes here while working to develop crops that would change the way California grows.
Floyd Zaiger
At the California State Capitol, where we were delivered into the political landscape of agriculture. Our tour of the capitol was filled with rich history, beautiful art, and major construction. We are forever grateful for this experience.
Our thanks go out to those who met with us at the Capitol!
Department: Ag Mechanics
Specialty: Heavy Equipment
Full-Time: Summer 2005
Education: Cal Poly SLO, Hometown: Angels Camp, CA
Transferred Student to: CSUS Fresno
Major : Mechanical Engineering 5/2021
Hometown: Atwater, California
Favorite memory from MJC: One of the winter Young Farmers meetings, the officers went and brought down a truckload of snow from the mountains and we had team vs team snowman making competition...which may have then drifted
Todd Conrado
Dr. Mark Bender 1976-2002
1950’s Ag Patio Lunch Yancy Juergenson
Andrew Skidmore
1923 – 1934 - Fredrick
“Pop” Knoor hired as first Agriculture instructor, responsible for 1st campus landscaping; the older trees on East Campus are his original plantings
1946 - HANDS-ON Ag Ed
Enrollment 125 majors and 3 instructors: Reuben Sylva, Ken Frost and Luverne Donker a master teacher, hired to begin a 30 year career of implementing “hands on” agricultural education at MJC
1954 - New Agriculture Classroom Complex on Coldwell Ave. site completed, now 2nd oldest buildings on campus, picture below is from 1959 yearbook
1959 Buccaneer – yearbook
1936 – Reuben Sylva hired as full time Agriculture instructor with 19 students
1950 four Instructors: Luverne Donker - Crops and Horticulture, Ernest Tarone (Dept Chair) – Livestock and Poultry, Roy Lippert – Ag. Engineering, Dr. David Reisling (below) who began the Dairy Science program.
The faculty and staff of the 1950’s really were the backbone of the current day program. They worked and played hard.
West Campus started a new era in Ag Education in 1970 when 116.5ac of the Modesto State Hospital was acquired.
Measure E Bond $16.7 million added the Ag Pavilion to West Campus, opened Oct. 2011, with 75,801sq.ft. that has been a benefit to the college and community.
The Ag Animal Unit Facilities (Sheep, Beef, and Dairy) benefited from Measure E $2.0 Million, Opened in Aug 2010
From Trailer Row to Ag-Modular Living Units, $3.2 Million added 7 living units with 28 bedrooms totaling 10,080 Sq.Ft. greeted students in Dec 2009. This ensures adequate housing for students who work in the instructional units.
1924-2024
Be a part of everything we do, follow us on social media, and continue to support our student.
BIG plans for all of Ag to be on West Campus in the next 15 to 25 years.
Support Local Agriculture!
Beckwith Farm addition in 1999
MAY 3 Pre- Graduation Party Ag East Campus
6-7Ag Faculty Retreat Offsite & East Campus 11 Beef Jackpot Playday West Campus
16-18 Community Quilt Show West Campus
June 23-27 CATA SUMMER Conf San Luis Obispo
July
Leave a legacy for the next 100 years?
Overview of a planned Gifts
5. Charitable Lead Trust (CLT)
6. Life Estate Reserved
7. Bargain Sale
8. Write a check and put it in the envelop attached
