Merced College leaders, agriculture industry partners and local growers gathered March 11 at the Merced College Farm to celebrate a new partnership with the Almond Board of California and the development of a new almond orchard that will support hands-on learning for students in the college’s agricultural technology programs.
The ceremony included the signing of a memorandum of understanding between Merced College and the Almond Board of California, formalizing a partnership focused on agricultural innovation, workforce development and industry collaboration.
The new orchard is part of the college’s expanding agricultural “living laboratory,” where students gain real-world experience in crop production, processing and agricultural technology. The work is closely tied to Merced College’s AgTEC initiative, which continues to draw national attention for its innovative approach to workforce training. Earlier this year, the college received the Bellwether Award for Leadership in Workforce Development recognizing its efforts to prepare students for careers in modern agriculture.
“This is the beginning of something very special on our farm,” Merced College President Chris Vitelli said during the ceremony. “We’re building a place where students can work alongside industry, learn the technologies shaping agriculture today and prepare for the opportunities that are emerging across the Central Valley.”
The 10 acre almond orchard represents the first permanent crops planted as part of the long-term vision for the 60-acre Merced College Farm, which is being developed as a diverse land lab reflecting the Central Valley’s agricultural landscape. Plans include additional orchards, row crops, vineyards and other production areas designed to support instruction, applied research and partnerships with industry.
Industry partners have played a key role in building the farm’s infrastructure. The almond trees were donated by Duarte Nursery, while other partners have contributed equipment, irrigation systems and technical expertise to support the development of the farm and the college’s AgTEC programs.
John Duarte, president of Duarte Nursery, said partnerships between educators and agricultural companies help show students that the industry is invested in their success.
“When companies bring the newest varieties and technologies into programs like this, it sends a powerful message to students that what they’re learning matters,” Duarte said. “It shows them that the industry cares about the education they’re receiving and that there’s a place for them in the future of agriculture.”
The event drew attendees from the Almond Board of California, Duarte Nursery, Blue Diamond Growers, UC Cooperative Extension and other agricultural partners, along with Merced College trustees, administrators, faculty, classified professionals and students.
For faculty and students, the orchard will become part of a broader hands-on learning experience connected to the college’s AgTEC Innovation Center. Students will be able to grow almonds in the field, process them in the nearby facility and develop value-added products that can eventually be sold through the college’s planned farm market.
Cody Jacobsen, Dean of Agriculture and Industrial Technology, said the project reflects the college’s commitment to giving students direct experience across the agricultural value chain.
“What we’re building here is a true living classroom,” Jacobsen said. “Students won’t just study agriculture in theory — they’ll be out here in the field, growing crops, working with industry partners and seeing how the entire system connects from soil to consumer.”
Almond Board President and CEO Clarice Turner said the partnership with Merced College reflects a shared commitment to strengthening the state’s agricultural workforce while advancing sustainable farming practices.
California produces about 80 percent of the world’s almonds, Turner said, and the industry supports thousands of jobs across the state’s agricultural economy.
“This partnership represents a shared commitment to innovation, responsibility and preparing the next generation of leaders in agriculture,” Turner said. “The work happening here will help ensure that California remains a global leader in almond production and sustainable farming.”
Turner said the orchard and the broader collaboration between the Almond Board and Merced College will serve as a place where students, growers and industry professionals can learn together while advancing new approaches to modern farming.
Vitelli said the partnerships forming around the college’s agricultural programs demonstrate the momentum building around the AgTEC initiative and its potential impact across the region.
“This farm is becoming a place where education, research and industry come together,” Vitelli said. “When our students graduate from Merced College, they will have worked alongside the people and technologies shaping the future of agriculture.”