Professor Codd

Tenured professor with expertise in ornamental and edible nursery production, small-scale farming, plant tissue culture, and curriculum development for in-person, online, and correctional education settings, backed by hands-on commercial nursery experience and a record of program building, facility design, and community partnerships.

Professor of Agriculture at Merced College (2018 – Present)

• Teach 200+ students annually in agriculture and horticulture across online, hybrid, and face-to-face formats, in both conventional and prison education settings.
• Courses taught include Plant Science, Plant Propagation, Plant Identification, Nursery and Garden Center Practice, Residential Gardening, and Introduction to Horticulture.
• Run a working nursery and tissue culture laboratory that anchor project-based learning.
• Department named CATA Department of the Year (2024).

Professor of Horticulture at American River College (2017 – 2018)

Taught Integrated Pest Management, Plant Identification, Propagation, Nursery Production, Soil Science, and Horticulture Science.

Program Manager at Yolo County Office of Education (2016 – 2018)

• Developed CTE internships and supported student career readiness.
• Coordinated STEM field experiences and built project-based learning in electronics and horticulture.
• Co-taught a course in environmental science.

Grower at Devil Mountain Growers (2015 – 2016)

Co-managed production for an 80-acre container nursery, overseeing crops, pest management, inventory, purchasing, and shipping.

Project Coordinator at Yolo Farm to Fork (2014 – 2016)

Built internship networks for CTE pathways and led STEM programming in electronics and horticulture in partnership with 20+ community stakeholders.

Nursery Specialist at UC Davis (2014 – 2015)

Propagated and managed more than $200,000 in nursery stock.

Fire Controlman at U.S. Navy, USS Caron & USS Elliot (1997 – 2003)

• Completed 1.5 years of advanced radar and weapons systems training.
• Served in Operation Enduring Freedom as lead technician/operator for the MK 86 Gunfire Control System.
• Earned two Navy Achievement Medals; honorably discharged.

Bachelor of Science in Sustainable Agriculture, emphasis in Agriculture & Ecology – University of California, Davis

Associate in Science in Agriculture (Advanced) — Superintendent’s Honors – Merced College

Associate in Arts in Landscape Horticulture — Superintendent’s Honors – Merced College

Graduate Coursework in Agricultural Education — 15 upper-division master’s units completed – California State University, Chico