Plant Science Student Spotlight: Israel Rangel Galvan

(Jan. 14, 2023) - Recent plant science graduate Israel Rangel Galvan is another example of the Hartnell College pipeline of hard-working students that are coming from the Salinas area, and getting great jobs after adding a Fresno State plant science diploma.  

The first-generation college graduate has also parlayed his internship last semester with Bee Sweet Citrus into a full-time position as an agronomist-in-training.

His resume also includes impressive internships with Bayer Crop Science at its local research farm and FMC Agricultural Solutions. Both of these experiences involved evaluating and managing a wide range of crops and have provided a wealth of experience that is helping prepare him for his pest control licenses, too.

Read more about his background and what's ahead in this recent interview.

 

Q: Why did you choose to attend Fresno State, and how did you pick your major?

“I have always admired Fresno State due to its diverse community, which I knew I'd feel welcomed in. I knew that Fresno State had a great agriculture department that would help me grow professionally and attain the knowledge that I need to be successful in my career. I've always been very passionate about agriculture. The reason I chose plant science as my major was because I was exposed to agriculture from a young age. Both of my parents started as strawberry harvesters and climbed up to become successful strawberry business growers, which fueled my interest.”  

 

Q: What do you consider your hometown and /or where are you a native of (& include state/country if applicable)?

“I was born in Salinas, CA, and raised in the town of Marina, CA most of my childhood and teenage years.”

 

Q: Which classes & faculty members have had the biggest influence on you while at Fresno State and why?

“There are various classes that have had an immense impact on me, including soils, crop nutrition, integrated pest management, entomology, and weed science. These courses have taught me so much, and I strongly believe that it will serve me well in my future career. All faculty members in the agriculture department are phenomenal, but there are two members that have had a profound impact on me: Marlene Miyasaki and Dr. Ranjit Riar. Marlene is the most selfless person I've ever met. She is always there when you need her the most. She's very caring, and most importantly, she makes the best cookies! Dr. Riar has also had an impact on my education here at Fresno State. He has taught me many skills and a lot of important information regarding crops. He is selfless and has always gone out of his way to help me out on various things, such as getting a tractor unstuck from the soil! He is a great professor, and he is definitely someone I look up to.” 

 

Q: What was your background in agriculture?

“Prior to starting at Fresno State I had little experience (with agriculture), but I was able to intern with Buttonwillow Warehouse Company, which is a fertilizer and crop protection product distributor. It was a great opportunity that introduced me to the agriculture industry. Besides the internship, my parents also taught me many skills that helped me develop a great work ethic." 

 

Q: Describe any internships you've had, and how have they prepared you for your career path?

“During my time at Fresno State I've had the privilege to intern with three different companies that have immensely prepared me for my career path. In the summer of 2021, I interned at Bayer Crop Science as a field operations intern. Some of my responsibilities consisted of assisting the plant pathologist and entomologist to set up and run trials. I also gained experience in scouting for insect pests and plant pathogens in various crops such as almonds, pistachios, grapes, citrus, zucchini, tomatoes, and cabbage. I performed mixing and loading of plant protection products, and collected data for the scientists. I've also interned with FMC Agricultural Solutions as a research technician in summer 2022 where I was accountable for conducting crop evaluations for efficacy on multiple crops such as grapes, cabbage, lettuce, spinach, almonds, apples, squash, corn, and cantaloupe. I performed mixing and application of crop protection products under supervision with a boom sprayer, CO2 backpack sprayer, STIHL backpack sprayer, and also performed applications with tractor boom sprayer. I was responsible for calibrating spraying equipment, and I also conducted weekly trap checking on almonds, apples, and peaches. In the fall, I was grateful to intern with Bee Sweet Citrus Inc. as a farm management intern in Fowler. I worked closely with an agronomist and gained experience in the agronomy field. Some of the tasks that I've performed are soil sampling to see what nutrients are mobile and immobile for plant uptake, tissue sampling to check the citrus crop nutrition, and water sampling to check the nitrate content. I strongly felt that the internship taught me a lot about citrus crops and agronomy.”  

 

Q: Were you a part of any other clubs or organizations and involved in any noteworthy activities or competitions?

“I was fortunate enough to be able to join the Fresno State Plant Science Club from 2020 through 2022. I had little to no experience in agriculture when I transferred from Hartnell College to Fresno State, so I took it upon myself to join the club. Through hard work and dedication I earned the position of project manager, where I was accountable for coordinating all projects at the Fresno State student-run plant science club plot, such as planting schedules, making the soil beds, setting the irrigation systems, irrigation scheduling, fertilizing scheduling, harvest scheduling,  and I also worked with other Fresno State students in setting up the hydroponics system. In 2021 I was a member of the Plant Science Club that won the Presidents Trophy at the Tri-Society Confrence (Agronomy Society of America, Crop Science Society of America, and Soil Science Society of America). I also competed at the conference in the pedology contest, crop judging contest and quiz bowl.”

 

Q: What's your potential next career step, and what area would you like to work in after graduation?

“I aspire to become an agronomist, so after graduating from Fresno State in the fall of 2022, I plan on getting my certified crop advisor license both in the Western Region and International. I also want to get my pest control advisor license because I believe that the more knowledge I can get, the more I can help farmers all around. In regards to my career, the Bee Sweet Citrus internship has taught me so much about agronomy, and I would like to use that knowledge and continue to become an agronomist for them.”