Specialty Crops Management Diploma

Program Description

Education for the Specialty Crops Management program is primarily delivered at the business of the student. This individualized instruction allows the instructor to design an educational program that specifically addresses the student’s needs and can be delivered at the most appropriate time. Education is also delivered through annual meetings, where students are able to meet each other and through monthly newsletters, phone calls, and personal email.

Program Outcomes

By completing this program, students will achieve the following learning outcomes:

• Identify the most common diseases that attack their crops;
• Identify and control the most common insects that attack their crops;
• Understand the basic principles of Integrated Pest Management as it relates to their crops;
• Know the soil types on their property and be able to fertilize their crops according to soil type;
• Know how to vary fertilizer rates according to crop and crop stage;
• Identify the most profitable outlet to sell their produce;
• Know the applicable laws for hiring and firing employees;
• Know how to safely apply crop chemicals;
• Know the basic principles of plant physiology as it pertains to growing crops;
• Be able to give examples of good forms of advertising;
• Know the basic types of irrigation and sources of irrigation water on their property;
• Identify and choose appropriate types of crop insurance and liability insurance for their business.

Career Opportunities

Students enrolled in the Specialty Crops Management Diploma program include people who want to make their living growing and selling fruits and vegetables, as well as those who want to supplement their income. Roughly one third of the students in the program are supplementing their retirement income. Demand for locally grown fruits and vegetables is increasing rapidly. There is a good future for small acreage landowners who want to earn money by growing fruits and vegetables.

Program Admission Requirements

The program is open to any fruit or vegetable grower in the state of Minnesota who wants to participate in the program.

Graduation Requirements

In addition to the program requirements, students must meet the following conditions in order to graduate:
1. College Cumulative GPA Requirement: cumulative grade point average (GPA) of credits attempted and completed at CLC must be at least 2.0;
2. College Technical Core GPA Requirement: cumulative GPA of credits attempted and completed towards the technical core of the diploma or degree must be at least 2.0;
3. Residency Requirement: students must complete 25% of their credits at Central Lakes College.

Employment Statistics

For more information regarding employment statistics, career salary information and estimated job growth, follow the resource links below:

https://apps.deed.state.mn.us/lmi/ces/
http://www.bls.gov/ooh/home.htm
http://www.iseek.org/jobs/jobmarket.html