Over the last several years, evolving technology has changed the way agriculture uses water, thereby impacting the skill requirements of technicians. A statewide water deficiency has created a huge demand for adaptive solutions. The water sector is becoming increasingly reliant upon these new innovations to increase efficiency and effectiveness of delivery systems management. As our state continues to face record drought conditions year after year, the demand for irrigation technicians with specialized education has become very clear and Modesto Junior College’s Irrigation Technology program objective is to meet the increasing needs of the agricultural industries.
The goal of the Irrigation Technology program is to facilitate the growth and preparedness of individuals who wish to obtain technical expertise in agricultural water management. The path towards an Irrigation Technology Associate of Science (AS) degree or Irrigation Technology certificate, will take an integrative approach through advanced irrigation and drainage methodologies, pumping and delivery systems, system design and evaluation, as well as principles of installation and repair. Integral components such as the science of plant growth and production, the relationships between soil and water, and the use of advancing technologies will be extensively covered, thus providing a well-rounded and directly applicable knowledge base.