Start Term
Program Options
Degree, Certificate or Diploma
Locations
Program Information
If you know you want to pursue a career in agriculture, majoring in Agribusiness Technology will give you an excellent foundation for several careers in the agriculture industry. In just two years you’ll earn an Associate of Applied Science degree and have the skills needed to enter the workforce.
This versatile degree allows you to explore career opportunities and opens a wide range of options for you. During your program of study, you'll complete a unique blend of courses that will introduce you to the technical aspects of agribusiness, while emphasizing marketing and management principles. You'll study agribusiness economics, agricultural law and credit, agronomy, animal science, agriculture sales, and agriculture taxes.
Job Outlook
2,865 Jobs (2020)
-1.6% change from 2020-2025
Data is from the Omaha Metropolitans Area, and the seven counties in Southwest Iowa that Iowa Western serves
What will you do
This program is intended for students who wish to enter the workforce upon completion of the two-year degree. Graduates are able to pursue career opportunities in agribusiness, farm management, agriculture production, and agriculture research, as well as in agriculture and agriculture-related sales, service, and supply industries. Additional career opportunities may include running farm or ranch operations, working as a farm credit loan officer, or a soil conservation technician.
Wages
- Entry Level: $15/hr
- Average: $18/hr
- Experienced: $25/hr
- (wages can vary considerably depending on chosen career)
First Semester | ||||
CSC 110 - Introduction to Computers | 3.0 Credit(s) | |||
or | ||||
BCA 212 - Introduction to Computer Business Applications | 3.0 Credit(s) | |||
| ||||
AGA 181 - Introduction to Crop Science | 3.0 Credit(s) | |||
AGS 113 - Survey of the Animal Industry | 3.0 Credit(s) | |||
AGP 333 - Precision Farming Systems | 3.0 Credit(s) | |||
AGC 215 - Career Seminar | 1.0 Credit(s) | |||
MAT 711 - Business and Financial Mathematics 1 | 3.0 Credit(s) | |||
Semester Total: 16.0 Credits | ||||
Second Semester | ||||
AGA 280 - Crop Development, Production, and Management | 3.0 Credit(s) | |||
AGP 457 - Agronomic Applications of Site Specific Management | 3.0 Credit(s) | |||
AGB 235 - Introduction to Agriculture Markets | 3.0 Credit(s) | |||
| ||||
AGS 226 - Beef Cattle Science | 3.0 Credit(s) | |||
| ||||
Semester Total: 18.0 Credits | ||||
Summer | ||||
AGB 804 - Agricultural Internship I | 3.0 Credit(s) | |||
AGA 376 - Integrated Pest Management | 3.0 Credit(s) | |||
Semester Total: 6.0 Credits | ||||
Third Semester | ||||
MGT 195 - Workplace Empowerment | 3.0 Credit(s) | |||
AGB 437 - Commodity Marketing | 3.0 Credit(s) | |||
AGA 182 - Introduction to Soil Science | 3.0 Credit(s) | |||
AGB 330 - Farm Business Management | 3.0 Credit(s) | |||
| ||||
AGA 284 - Pesticide Application Certification | 3.0 Credit(s) | |||
Semester Total: 18.0 Credits | ||||
Fourth Semester | ||||
AGB 211 - Agricultural Law, Taxation and Records | 3.0 Credit(s) | |||
AGB 331 - Entrepreneurship in Agriculture | 3.0 Credit(s) | |||
AGB 336 - Agricultural Selling | 3.0 Credit(s) | |||
AGA 165 - Agricultural Fertilizers and Chemicals | 3.0 Credit(s) | |||
AGB 814 - Agricultural Internship II | 4.0 Credit(s) | |||
Semester Total: 16.0 Credits | ||||
Total Semester Hours Required: 74.0 | ||||
Notes:1May substitute with MAT 102 or higher. | ||||
Notes:
|
Program Outcomes
Upon the successful completion of the program students will:
- Operate current technology used in production agriculture, farm business management, and the agriculture service industries.
- Identify and select favorable genetics in plant and animal breeding.
- Demonstrate leadership and effective time management skills.
- Identify the plant morphology of common Midwestern crop and weed species.
- Evaluate various crop production practices and techniques used to produce Midwestern crops.
- Categorize soil, plant, and climatic factors that influence plant growth and development.
- Calculate appropriate application rates for essential plant nutrients and crop protection products.
- Demonstrate proper record keeping skills and use those records to construct and analyze various financial instruments used in business.
- Develop a risk management plan that incorporates standard financial instruments, marketing techniques, and other industry accepted tools.
Program Disclaimers
- Salary information from the Iowa Western Academic Dean.