AGRICULTURE
WHAT IS AGRICULTURE?
Agriculture is one of the most important majors you could choose because it addresses
a basic human need—food. As the science of raising plant crops and livestock,
agriculture teaches the essentials of farming and ranching, everything from planting,
cultivation, fertilization, harvesting, processing, and fruit and vegetable
distribution to the most effective ways to raise, breed, and market livestock.
Agriculture students also learn about the wide variety of livestock by-products,
such as dairy goods, eggs, honey, and even leather. Agriculture majors, too, study the
latest research on improving the food supply, increasing yield, and making food
operations as efficient as possible.
WHAT COURSES DO YOU NEED TO TAKE?
Agriculture offers a huge range of specialties, and the classes you take will depend
on which direction you choose in the field. On top of the core curriculum at your
college or university, where you will study the humanities, sciences, social sciences,
mathematics, and the arts as well as work on oral and written communication skills,
you will take specific science courses in animal and/or plant biology, technology,
chemistry, mathematics, and the physical sciences. The following agriculture courses
usually are required for an agriculture degree:
- Agricultural Sciences
- Agricultural Economics
- Agricultural Technology and Management
- Animal Science
- Crop and Soils
- Horticulture
Agriculture students can opt for different areas, depending on their interests.
Here are some examples of those specialty areas and recommended courses:
- Agribusiness
Advanced Financial Accounting
Advanced Income Tax Accounting
- Agricultural Education
Environmental and Resource Law
Agricultural Marketing
WHAT CAN YOU DO WITH A DEGREE IN AGRICULTURE?
Because agriculture encompasses so many aspects of our world, including the study of animal,
plant, and environmental systems, agriculture majors can enter a variety of careers in business,
government, and the nonprofit sectors—or work for themselves. Students more interested in
animals might choose to go into ranching, dairy farming, fish farming, or continue their
educations and become veterinarians or researchers in animal medicine. Students who focus
their learning on plants might become horticulturalists, landscape architects, or take up
traditional or organic farming. Business-oriented agriculture majors might pursue careers in
real estate, economics, farm equipment sales or marketing, or statistics. Plus there are
opportunities for agriculture majors interested in preserving the environment and in animal
conservation.