Agricultural Business

Application Code:
0511
Degree Received:
Associate in Applied Science (AAS)
Academic Department:
Agriculture and Horticulture

Description:

It is an exciting time to be an agricultural business student. One out of every six jobs in the American economy is related to agriculture and food businesses. The curriculum in agriculture business is designed to provide students with the technical and business skills necessary to be successful in our nation's largest industry. Career opportunities in agribusiness range from managing a farm (dairy, beef, equine, vegetable, fruit, crops) to working in the nurseries, timber tracts, banking, or publishing industries. Ample opportunities are available in the management of farm supply stores or cooperatives, agricultural input sales, insurance, real estate, agricultural processing and manufacturing industries.

Agricultural business managers also must have enough technical knowledge of crops, growing conditions, and plant diseases to make decisions ensuring the successful operation of their farms. A rudimentary knowledge of veterinary science, as well as animal husbandry, is important for livestock and dairy farmers. The agricultural business curriculum will provide the student with the basic business, crop, and animal skills to make informed business decisions. Students in the curriculum will also have an opportunity to transfer into the BBA technology management program at Alfred State College or transfer to other colleges offering related degrees.

Entrance Requirements & Recommendations:

  • Recommended: Math A (algebra)

Features & Facilities:

  • Focuses on:
    • Farm business management
    • Agricultural sales
    • Retailing management
    • Agricultural Business transfer
  • Modern, well-equipped labs
  • 750-acre College Farm

Articulation Agreements:

Students in this program benefit from an articulation agreement with Cornell University. (A formal transfer agreement with Cornell University guarantees admission to Cornell for those who complete certain course work at Alfred State and maintain at least a B average.)

Transfer Opportunities:

Many schools, including Cornell University, grant full credit to students wishing to transfer to four-year programs, usually in agricultural economics or agricultural education. Formal articulation agreement exists with Alfred State College.

Career Opportunities:

  • Management or Ownership of Commercial Farms
  • Agricultural Credit Officers for Banks, Government, Loan Agencies, and Farm Cooperative Loan Agencies
  • Feed, Seed, and Fertilizer Sales Technicians
  • Writers of Technical Publications, Radio & TV Scripts, News Items for magazines & newspapers, Education & Public Relations material
  • Manager, Assistant Managers of Farm Supply Stores
  • Warehouse Managers for Farm Chemicals, Feed, Seed, and Fertilizers
  • Chain Store and Retail Food Management
  • Agricultural Consulting Services

Typical Semester Layout:

First Semestercredits
ANSC 1204 Intro to Animal Science 4
AGRI 1492 Professional Practice 2
CISY 1003 Intro to Microcomputer Applic  


or  
CISY 1023 Intro to Information Technology 3
COMP 1503 Freshman Composition 3
  XXXX Gen Education Elective 3-4
      15-16
Second Semestercredits
ANSC 3213 Intro to Dairy Cattle Production 3
BIOL 1314 Botany  
    or  
AGPS 2203 Plant Physiology 3-4
MKTG 2073 Marketing 3
ACCT 1124 Financial Accounting 4
  XXXX Gen Education Elective 3
      16-17
Third Semestercredits
ACCT 2234 Mangerial Accounting 4
SPCH 1083 Effective Speaking  
    or  
BUAD 2033 Business Communications 3
  XXXX Ag. Elective 3-4
  XXX3 Bus or Marketing Elective 3
  XXX3 Gen Ed or Technical Elective 3
      16-17
Fourth Semestercredits
AGEC 3024 Agr Management & Finance 4
  XXXX Gen. Education Elective 3-4
  XXXX Bus or Marketing Elective 3
  XXXX Ag Elective 3-4
AGRI 4002 Senior Seminar/Capstone Project 2
      15-17
Agriculture Electives:credits
ANSC 2114 Domestic Animal A&P 4
ANSC 3004 Feeds and Nutrition 4
ANSC 3203 Dairy Cattle Production I
3
ANSC 3223 Dairy Calf Management 3
ANSC 2102 Dairy Cattle Reproduction & A.I. Tech 2
AGPS 2114 Field and Forage Crops 4
HORT 1313 Entomology 3
HORT 2544 Woody Plants 4
HORT 4403 Plant Pathology 3
AGPS 1103 Soils 3
Business Electives:credits
BUAD 3043 Business Law 3
MKTG 3163 Web Design & Marketing 3
BUAD 4203 Intro to Personal Finance 3
Also Requiredcredits
HPED   One Unit of Physical Education 1
Employment and Transfer Report
Employment and Transfer Rate:
100%
Survey Details200420052006
Receiving Degrees 1 1 3
Responding to Survey 1(100%) 1(100%) 2(67%)
Employed -- 1(100%) 1(50%)
Employed in Field -- 1(100%) 1(100%)
Transfered -- -- 1(50%)
Unemployed & Seeking Employment -- -- --
Unemployed & Not Seeking Employment 1(100%) -- --
Salary Information
NACE Annual Average Salary Survey Data
(2003-04 survey for associate degree program;
2006-07 for baccalaureate degree program)
N/A
DOL Annual Mean Salary
(2006 survey for those employed in this career path)
$40,200