Agroecology Technician Certificate


Through the USDA NIFA Agricultural Workforce Training Grant, MCC is designing and implementing an Agroecology Technician Certificate. This certificate program will prepare participants for entry-level, skilled fieldwork to support professionals in resource and wildlife management and environmental evaluation.

The next certificate class will be offered in June 2026 at Highlander Ranch for current high school students, grades 9 through 12. To apply, download and complete the Certificate Program Application Packet. Approximately 70% of the content will be delivered online and 30% will occur face to face, Monday through Thursday, June 1 through July 7, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. noon, at Highlander Ranch. No face-to-face meetings will be held on June 18, July 2, or July 3.  

Deadline to apply is May 15, 2026.

Upon completion of the entire training program, learners will be able to:

  • Assist environmental engineers, biologists, farmers, and ranchers with management, consulting, and/or research activities,
  • Perform data analysis,
  • Observe, track, and record ecological conditions and their impacts on habitat suitability,
  • Use specialized equipment methodology for specimen collection and analysis,
  • Maintain and calibrate equipment,
  • Perform population analysis,
  • Communicate in a clear, logical manner,
  • Collaborate with others in a team, and
  • Obtain the Duck's Unlimited Ecology Conservation & Management Certificate, a TEA recognized credential.

The certificate will be divided into eight training modules, including: Identifying and Analyzing Problems, Transferring Knowledge, Ecology, Soil & Plants, Water, Agro-economics, Regenerative and Sustainable Agriculture, Rangeland & Land Management. 

For more information regarding the certificate or scholarship options, please reach out to Dr. Christi Esquivel or Dr. Shannon Hill. 

two women measuring dbh of a tree

The development of this certificate is funded by the USDA NIFA Agricultural Workforce Training Grant through the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI). USDA-NIFA-AFRI-009842; Funding Program Code (A7601). Project title: “Sustainable Agriculture for the Future: Developing Agri-Environmental Technicians”