Viticulture Level 2 - Certificate of Achievement 16 or more semester units

This program map only provides one possible pathway for degree and/or certificate obtainment and is for reference only. Please schedule an appointment with a counselor to develop your individualized Student Education Plan.

The Viticulture Level 2 Certificate of Achievement is designed for students who have completed Viticulture Level 1 Certificate of Achievement in preparation for intermediate careers in vineyard management, vineyard pest management, vineyard irrigation, fertilizer sales, and management roles in vineyards and related facilities including sustainable, organic, and biodynamic practices. Some positions might be titled vineyard supervisor, vineyard foreperson, or assistant vineyard manager.

The pathway below represents an efficient and effective course taking sequence for this program. Individual circumstances might require some changes to this pathway. It is always recommended that you meet with an academic counselor to develop a personalized educational plan.

Use basic ideas and concepts in viticulture, including biology, and ecophysiology of vines and grape cultivars, to work in the viticulture industry.

Assess and differentiate effects of viticultural activities and processes in final grapes and wines produced using sustainable and ecological processes.

Identify effects on different soils in viticulture and analyze precision viticulture practices and be able to use the information for continuous vineyard improvement.

Understand possibilities for assessing and applying sustainable ecological vineyard practices.

Program Map

Requirement
GE General Education
E Elective

Fall Year 1

1 unit
VEN 325
Vineyard Equipment Practices
This is designed as an 8 week course to give agriculture students at Allan Hancock College a basic understanding of vineyard tractor application, service and the use of vineyard equipment.
            Core Elective - Viticulture Level 2 (Cert.)
            Advanced vineyard practices for the fall season including crop projection, grape quality assessment, grape maturity monitoring, harvest coordination, post-harvest practices, and budgeting. Management planning and financial aspects of the operations are emphasized. This course is not open to students who have received credit for AG 140.
            Advanced vineyard practices for the winter and spring seasons including vine balance determination, pruning, cover crop management, frost protection, vine training, vineyard research trials, and budgeting. Management planning and financial aspects of the operations are emphasized. This course is not open to students who have received credit for AG 141.
            Advanced vineyard practices for the summer season including equipment operation and maintenance, vine training, vineyard research trials, and budgeting. Management planning and financial aspects of the operations are emphasized. This course is not open to students who have received credit for AG 142.
            Supervised employment extending classroom-based learning to an on-the-job learning environment relating to the student's career and educational goals. In addition, these work experiences improve the student's basic work skills and professional competencies by creating career awareness, improving work habits, and fostering positive workplace attitudes.

            Spring Year 1

            7 units
            VEN 314
            Organic/Biodynamic Winegrowing
            Introduction to professional organic and biodynamic wine grape production with ecological production methods. Theory and practice with an emphasis on regional growing conditions. Includes appropriate planting, maintenance, soil fertility, biodiversity, and ecological pest management, current winery practices, and cost analysis. This course is not open to students who have received credit for AG 314.
                      VEN 126
                      Fertilizers & Plant Nutrition

                      This course will provide an introduction to fertilizers and plant nutrition. Essential nutrients for plant development will be studied as well as deficiency symptoms and methods of correcting for these deficiencies. Fertilizer and other soil amendments will be studied as well as the proper management and application methods for these products. The course is not open to students who are enrolled in or have received credit for AG 126.

                      1. Advisories: VEN 125
                      2. Advisories: AG 125