Students Explore STEM-Related Careers in Ag

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Eight Cal Poly Pomona students went on a three-day tour of Monterey County farming operations in June to learn more about science and engineering-related careers in agriculture.

The June 18-20 tour was sponsored by Western Growers and gave the students a glimpse of how crop science and breeding, food safety, soil science, nutrient management, innovation, engineering, technology and robotics are employed in the farming industry.

Stops on the tour included Seminis Inc., Ocean Mist Farms, Ramsay Highlander, Church Brothers Farms, Fresh Leaf Farms/Mann’s Packing, Taylor Farms, Tanimura & Antle, Uesugi Farms, and the Western Growers Center for Innovation and Technology.

The Cal Poly Pomona contingent was joined by 15 students from UC Davis and Cal State Los Angeles. Engineering students - mechanical, electrical, chemical - formed the majority of those on the tour.

"This experience opened my eyes to different possible career paths," said Joshua Lim, a Cal Poly Pomona engineering student. "Before this, I never thought of finding a career in ag as an engineer."

Western Growers has sponsored the semiannual tours since 2016 in an effort to educate students about the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) related careers that are possible in agriculture. Fall tours have taken students to farming and agricultural research operations in the Imperial Valley and Arizona. 

Gabriel Davidov-Pardo, an assistant professor in human nutrition and food science, and Marybelle Foster of the dean’s office accompanied the students on the trip.

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