Farm and Ranch Management (Agribusiness Management)

Program Description

The Agribusiness Management option is for students who plan on pursuing a business management and/or sales related position with an agribusiness. The curriculum is designed to prepare students to be successful managers and to acquire the knowledge and ability to deal with the challenges in today’s agriculture industries. Study includes prescribed coursework in accounting, agriculture finance, marketing, precision farming, crop/soil science and livestock production. Technology instruction is infused throughout the curriculum. Students are exposed to various applications of technology related to business management, crop production, livestock production, and soil science. Precision farming technology instruction includes guidance systems, mobile software, GIS software, variable rate technologies, and remote sensing. Students have the option to obtain a North Dakota Private Pesticide Applicators license and/or beef cattle artificial insemination training. The program requires participation in a cooperative education internship. Advisors will work with students to gain employment at an agribusiness.

Preparation

Students interested in agriculture should be resourceful, flexible, creative problem solvers, interested in technology, and enjoy continuous learning. The following background is helpful: high school or college courses in agriculture, science and math, and experience working on a farm or for an agriculture-related business. Interested students are encouraged to apply early as openings are limited.

Program Requirements

Students who complete the curriculum requirements earn an Associate in Applied Science degree. This program offers a two- or three-year degree plan as determined by placement score.

Required Program Entrance Scores

2-year program

• ACT:  English 16, Math 15, Reading 15
• CLASSIC ACCUPLACER:  Math 40 (Elementary Algebra), Reading 61, Writeplacer 4
• NEXT GEN ACCUPLACER:  Math 236 (QR, Algebra, and Statistics), Reading 240, Writing 250

3-year program*

• ACT:  English 12, Math 12, Reading 12
• CLASSIC ACCUPLACER:  Math 25 (Elementary Algebra), Reading 40, Writeplacer 2
• NEXT GEN ACCUPLACER:  Math 224 (QR, Algebra, and Statistics), Reading 228, Writing 237

* To discuss options for moving to the 2-year program, please contact Kenan Layden at 701-224-5408.

Career Opportunities

The global economy offers many opportunities to provide food, animal feed and energy, which make it an exciting time to be involved in agriculture. Agriculture is evolving into a more business-savvy industry with many options for candidates skilled at streamlining processes and creating value-added solutions for promoting agricultural goods. In today’s market, farmers, ranchers, and agriculture managers must stay abreast of the latest developments in technology and agricultural production to make sound scientific and business decisions. As farms/ranches increase in size and efficiency, they rely more and more on the agribusiness industry to offer specialized services. Demand for qualified consultants, salespersons, technicians, managers, and other service-related positions is expanding. Current placement rate of students in this program is 100 percent.

Additional Information

Agriculture Club

The BSC Ag Club is dedicated to helping the students of BSC ATNR through career development, service opportunities, professional networking, and education enhancement. BSC Ag Club also promotes interest in agriculture, educates the general public about the importance of agriculture, inspires interpersonal interactions, and enhances students' understanding of local and global agricultural industries.

ATNR Scholarships

Students are eligible for a variety of scholarships. The BSC Foundation provides two ND Ag Association scholarships, four Ervin and Dorothy Bourgois Memorial Scholarships along with assorted academic scholarships. Eight scholarships are also available through the CHS Foundation.