Specialty Crop Fundamentals Certificate

What makes MCC's Specialty Crop Fundamentals Certificate program better than, or distinct from, similar programs at other institutions?

1. Small Class Sizes: Small class sizes provide personalized instruction and direct access to faculty, ensuring you receive individualized support as you develop your skills.
2. Extensive Hands-On Experience: Real production settings allow you to build practical skills and confidence by actively growing, managing, and harvesting specialty crops.
3. Focus on High-Demand Specialty Crops: Unlike broader horticultural programs, this certificate focuses on the production and management of fruits, vegetables, herbs, and floricultural crops.

Where will I put my knowledge into practice?

• Apply Your Knowledge in the Greenhouse: You will spend time in our campus greenhouses learning the art of seed starting, plant propagation, and the daily care required to turn a seedling into a healthy, productive plant.
• Practice Sustainable Methods at the Student Farm: You won't just read about soil health; you'll be out on the farm testing soil, preparing beds, and learning how to build a sustainable environment for high-quality crops.
• Learn to Plant and Harvest: You'll participate in the full seasonal cycle, gaining direct experience with proper planting depths and spacing, as well as the precise techniques for harvesting fruits, vegetables, and herbs at their peak.
• Identify and Select Crops: You will work directly with a wide variety of ornamental and edible plants, learning to identify different species and understand which crops are best suited for our local climate and sustainable systems.