Page 15 - Wayne Dispatch Pages

Michigan State University (MSU) Institute of
Agricultural Technology (IAT) has partnered with
Wayne County Community College District
(WCCCD) to offer a Fruit and Vegetable Crop Man-
agement, Food Processing - Technology & Safety
and Landscape Management Certificates. The
partnership allows students to earn a certificate
from MSU IAT while working toward an Associ-
ates of General Studies from WCCCD. Full-time
students are able to complete the associate degree
and certificate in just two years.

Fruit and Vegetable food processing lab, industry clerkship and pro-
fessional internship.
Crop Management “By working together, MSU and WCCCD, are
The Fruit and Vegetable Crop Management pro- able to offer specialized training programs for
gram provides students an opportunity to apply high-demand jobs close to home and at a lower
practical knowledge and training on the selection, overall cost. Graduates will be prepared for re-
use, and management of fruit and vegetable crops. warding job opportunities in agriculture or trans-
The program combines classroom instruction fer to continue their education” said Anthony
and theory with practical experience gained Arminiak, WCCCD Downriver Campus President.
through field laboratories and a professional in- The program offers regionally relevant agricul-
ternship. Graduates of the program are prepared tural training programs for careers in some of
for careers in the fruit and vegetable industry. Michigan’s highest demand industries such as
commercial fruit and vegetable growers, crop pro-
Landscape Management duction and management services, farm opera-
The Landscape Management program pro- tions, equipment sales and service, irrigation
vides training for students to select, use, and man- services, landscape design, construction and
age landscape plants and lawns. Students obtain maintenance, retail equipment and supply cen-
a working knowledge of plant growth, develop- ters, greenhouse and field nursery operations, re-
ment, and identification which prepares them for tail garden centers and many more. Students will
careers in the green industry. benefit from dual enrollment at both institutions
with all courses delivered at the WCCCD Down-
Wayne County Community river Campus.
“We are thrilled to offer these programs where
College District Food students and residents alike can study a field that
Processing, Technology and Safety has grown rapidly in interest and importance to
The Food Processing, Technology and Safety our region, and the nation at large,” said
certificate program trains students on the Arminiak. “Michigan is a leader in agriculture and
processes and technologies used to convert com- metro Detroit is a leader in urban agriculture.
modities into consumable food products. The pro- This center is directly in line with that interest
gram combines online and in-person courses with and with our mission to provide pathways to bet-
applied learning experiences including a mobile ter lives through higher education.”
The Wayne Dispatch · October 2021 · 15