Mechanized Agriculture Program

The mechanized agriculture program at Fresno State is recognized as the state's leading program among four-year agricultural institutions based on its full curriculum and hands-on instruction with machinery, mechanical skills, technology, and farm operations.

The program also features a host of recently-added equipment and renovations thanks to a gift by Dr. James and Cathy Moller. Recent updates include new welding equipment, CNC plasma cutting, hydraulic shear and brake, drill press, iron worker, band and chop saws, and more.

Students from the agricultural education and other departments can choose between more than 10 courses that focus on electronics, electro-hydraulics, engines, equipment, machines, mechanics, metallurgy, power equipment safety, power systems, tractors, and transmissions (and a full list is available here).

The program is the only one in the state that offers a mechanized agriculture emphasis for agricultural education majors.

Full-time faculty Chris McKenna and John Williams both are graduates of the program and have vital experience teaching at area high schools and working with the California Agricultural Teachers Association.

Long-time faculty member Ken Heupel who oversaw the program for several decades, also continues to teach classes geared towards agricultural education and teacher development. 

The lab is a valuable resource for education and community outreach through student projects and fabricated equipment utilized on the University Agricultural Laboratory and area farms and through the Ag Mechanics Club. The lab also helps host the FFA Field Day state event each April and its ag mechanics, farm power and machinery and small engines contests.