Merced College Builds the Future of Agriculture

The latest AgNet News Hour with Nick Papagni, “The Ag Meter,” and Josh McGill takes listeners inside one of the most innovative agricultural education programs in California. The program features an in-depth conversation with Cody Jacobsen, Dean of Agriculture and Industrial Technology at Merced College, who explains how the college is preparing students for the rapidly changing world of farming, food processing, automation and agricultural technology.

Jacobsen says Merced College is experiencing record enrollment, with more than 22,000 students expected on campus and nearly every agriculture class at capacity. The college is combining traditional hands-on farming education with advanced technology, giving students opportunities to work with tractors, orchards, livestock and crops while also learning drone operations, robotics, automation and other emerging technologies.

One of the college’s most impressive projects is a new 22,000-square-foot food processing facility featuring meat processing, tree nut processing, fresh-market produce, nutrition and product development capabilities, along with a retail farm market. The facility will include advanced equipment such as optical sorters, X-ray systems, metal detection, automated packaging and palletizing systems.

Merced College is also expanding its working farm. Students have access to a 10-acre almond block developed with the Almond Board of California, stone fruit acreage supported by nursery partners, table grapes and approximately 35 acres of row crops. Jacobsen emphasizes that students learn by getting into the field, working with industry professionals and developing practical skills that cannot be learned from a textbook alone.

Technology is a major part of that future. The college recently conducted a pilot project comparing winter wheat planted by drone with wheat planted using a traditional grain drill. Students are being trained to understand both approaches, preparing them for farms ranging from conventional operations to highly automated businesses.

Jacobsen also discusses his own Central Valley farming background. Raised on a sheep ranch, educated at Fresno State and a former high school agriculture teacher, he farms almonds himself. That experience helps him bring real-world knowledge of farming, livestock, irrigation, equipment, economics and business directly into his work at the college.

Industry partnerships are another key component. Merced College works with organizations including the Almond Board of California, Toro, Duarte Nursery, Sunridge and Dave Wilson Nursery, while companies such as Pacific Farm Management provide hands-on instruction in planting, irrigation and field development.

The discussion also explores why technical education may become increasingly important as AI and automation reshape the workforce. Nick and Josh emphasize that students should have the opportunity to pursue careers they are passionate about without automatically assuming a four-year university is the only path to success.

There is much more to this conversation, along with the latest agriculture news and insights from across California and the nation. Listen to the full AgNet News Hour podcast to hear the complete interview with Cody Jacobsen and discover how Merced College is preparing the next generation of agricultural professionals.

Listen to the full interview below or on your favorite podcast app.