Are you interested in pursuing a rewarding career in agriculture as an agricultural manager, quality specialist or purchasing manager? The online Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Agriculture in Agricultural Studies program from Arkansas State University (A-State) equips you with the knowledge of modern agriculture so you can reach your career goals. Not only will you gain industry-relevant skills employers seek, but you’ll also be prepared to start your own business if desired.
Knowledge and Skills You’ll Develop in an Agriculture Program
A-State’s online B.S. in Agriculture in Agriculture Studies consists of 120 credit hours of coursework. You’ll finish this degree faster if you have previous college credits to transfer (up to 90 credits). Examples of agriculture courses you can take include:
- Introduction to Agricultural Business
- Introduction to Plant Science
- Applied Agricultural Statistics
- Regenerative Agriculture Fundamentals
The in-demand agriculture skills you’ll gain include purchasing, procurement, auditing and contract management. You’ll also develop from the following transferable skills: leadership, communication, research, statistics and writing. Most uniquely, this program combines business fundamentals with agricultural and technological expertise so that you can pursue a variety of professional roles.
Job Opportunities for Agriculture Degree Graduates
Students study agriculture to enjoy a broad array of work and settings to choose from, including small organic farms and larger resource productions. Below are examples of possible jobs agriculture graduates may pursue and information about each.
A-State notes that graduates can pursue roles like purchasing manager, purchasing agent and procurement specialist. However, graduates can also pursue the following agriculture roles are listed by Indeed:
- Agricultural technician: These technicians conduct experiments on animal and crop samples in a laboratory setting. Their typical goal is to improve farm productivity and health with research.
- Crop (farm) manager: A crop or farm manager oversees the day-to-day duties of running a farm, including office work, managing employees, record keeping and administrative tasks.
- Park ranger: These professionals work in state and federal parks to provide public safety, natural resource protection and administrative management. They can enjoy the natural beauty of the outdoors or work inside park offices.
The following are entrepreneurial agriculture business ideas listed by zenbusiness:
- CSA program: Community-supported agriculture is a program that allows you to sell your locally grown produce and other products to community members. Communities sign up at the beginning of the season in order to receive an amount each week.
- Poultry farming: Since more and more people are looking for free-range and organic chicken and eggs, being a poultry farmer both for consumption and egg production can be a profitable business.
- Agricultural tourism: This is a growing industry with a rate of 12% annually. Examples of agricultural tourism businesses include farm tours, flower fields, petting zoos and education classes for kids and hobby gardeners.
In terms of expected pay, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports the median salary for farmers, ranchers and other agricultural managers in May 2021 was $73,060. If you choose to go into the purchasing side of agriculture, the median pay for purchasing managers, buyers and purchasing agents is $75,410.
Benefits of A-State’s Flexible Online Education Model
A-State’s online bachelor’s in agriculture program gives you the flexibility to study on your time. You may choose to complete this program quickly or take courses at a pace that works for you. Coursework is also directly applicable to whichever career you’re currently pursuing.
Another benefit of A-State’s online education model is it’s not location dependent, meaning as long as you have a reliable internet connection, you can complete your higher education degree.
Graduates of this program will gain the business, scientific and technological skills to succeed in a number of agriculture jobs. They will have the foundational experience to employ innovative, modern agriculture practices and meet demand for industry-relevant skills.
Learn more about A-State’s online Bachelor of Science in Agriculture in Agricultural Studies program.