Our Programs

Ag Technology & Mechatronics

Rancho Cielo’s Ag Technology & Mechatronics Program introduces electro-mechanical fundamentals, applications, and technologies in modern agricultural production—high-demand skills in “smart farming” and “precision agriculture.” Students will learn irrigation practices, precision agricultural software, GPS and drone technologies, food safety, industrial safety, and fundamentals of ag mechatronics, including hands-on constructing, modifying, and programming with a Festo Mechatronics Training System, an automated mechatronic system.

CERTIFICATIONS

FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate (Drones)

Equipment & Engine Training Council (EETC) Principles of Small Engine Technology

Western Growers Certification

BENEFITS OF ALL PROGRAMS

Essential Resources and Wellness Services

Transportation Access

Skill Enhancement

Enriching Experiences

SCHEDULE

Monday – Thursday: 8:30am-3pm

Friday: 8:30am-1:45pm

PROGRAM DATES

August through June. Approximately 10 months to complete.

Ongoing/open enrollment

  • Sustainable indoor/outdoor farming technology projects: designing a walk-in cooler shed with CoolBot system, setting up irrigation systems, maintaining and repairing essential agriculture machinery, and the future development of a bee monitoring system. 
  • Visits to local agribusinesses such as Taylor Farms, Mann Packing, D’Arrigo, Costa Family Farms, Dole, and Ocean Mist. 
  • Attending events like the World FIRA (Federación Internacional de Robótica Agrícola) showcasing robotics and automation technologies in agriculture.
  • Agriculture mechatronics technician data analyst or automation engineer
  • Research and development engineer
  • Farm equipment technician
  • Farm management and operations 
  • Horticulture, hydroponics and controlled ag environment grower
  • Electrical or mechatronic engineer
  • Plant and soil scientist
  • Food safety and food processing engineer
  • Environmental consultant

Coursework also prepares students to pursue post-secondary training, industry certifications and college coursework such as Hartnell College’s Mechatronics Program. 

  • Hartnell is the first community college in California to offer a mechatronics program. 
  • Related programs at Hartnell include Agriculture Business, Agriculture Plant Science, Business Office Technology, Computer Science, Engineering and Food Safety.

Course Sequences

Through a combination of theory and hands-on experiences, students develop basic knowledge and skills in agricultural mechanics. Instruction includes fundamentals of maintaining and repairing small gasoline engines, basic electricity, welding, construction, cold metal work and operating agricultural equipment safely.

This course focuses on specialized skill development in welding, fabrication, equipment operation and repair.

This course develops advanced welding, fabrication, equipment operation and repair skills.

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