Program Overview

Agriculture of Today

Today’s agriculture requires a large investment of capital, equipment, and other production supplies. In order to be successful, an individual must be trained in the areas of food processing, distribution, and marketing functions. As farms and ranches are utilizing more educational information and advisory services, farm-related companies and government agencies are looking for an increasing number of people who have both sustainable agricultural and business training.

Degrees offered through the Agriculture program include

• Agricultural Business
• Agriculture -
  
  • Forest Science and Technology
  • Horticulture
  • Natural Resources
  • Agriculture Science, Education, and Management

Career Opportunities in Agriculture

Examples of career opportunities in Agriculture include:

• Agricultural Appraiser
• Agriculture Communications
• Agriculture Instructor
• Agricultural Equipment
• Agricultural Pest Control
• Agricultural Sales and Service
• Animal Health Industry
• Co-Operative Manager
• Food Processing
• Loan Officer, Finance
• Marketing and Sales
• Owner/Mgr. of Field Crop Farm
• Owner/Mgr. of a Livestock Ranch
• Part-time Rancher
• Real Estate, Insurance
• Soil Conservationist
• Specialty Crop Production
• Tissue Culture Technician

A Unique Farm Facility

The Natural Resources, Industry and Public Safety Division operates a 90-acre, sustainable college farm laboratory. Instruction is made relevant for courses that relate to production, business, and the management of natural resources. The laboratory includes: beef, swine, sheep, and goats; a full complement of farm machinery; a horse arena; grain, hay, and equipment storage; a farm manager; a dormitory; and a horticulture facility complete with greenhouses.

Key Program Courses

• Agriculture Accounting
• Agriculture Economics
• Agriculture Worksite Learning
• Agriculture/Natural Resource Leadership
• Animal Science
• Career Placement for Agriculture
• Career Planning for Agriculture
• Computers in Agriculture
• Farm Power and Machinery
• Introduction to the Agriculture Business
• Introduction to Construction Skills for Agriculture and Natural Resources
• Introduction to Range Management
• Introduction to Sustainable Agriculture and Farm Management
• Livestock Feeding and Nutrition
• Livestock Production
• Plant Science
• Soils

Certificates

• Agriculture Equipment Operations and Maintenance
• ​​Pest Control Advisor Preparation

​Degrees

• Agriculture Animal Science (New​​)
• AS - Agriculture Business
• AS - Agriculture Plant Science​ (New)
• ​AS - Agriculture Science, Education, and Management

Advisory Committee Guidance

All of the programs offered by the Natural Resources, Industry and Public Safety Division are periodically reviewed by a broad cross section of community, business and professional people. These industry representatives help ensure that students are offered an up-to-date program.

Dormitory Living

A Unique Experience

The College farm laboratory maintains a dormitory facility for eight students. Applications are reviewed annually. These students participate in a 14-hour per week program in which farm management techniques are practiced with a “hands-on” approach. This participation, combined with classroom education and leadership club opportunities, give students an invaluable experience.

Staff Involvement

All faculty members, farm manager, division dean, and staff secretaries offer personalized student attention. The collaborative effort of the “team” contributes to the well-rounded and solid understanding of Agriculture and Natural Resources. This understanding and team concept is reinforced throughout the curriculum and on the farm laboratory.