Agriculture
Agriculture will remain a major industry in the nation as well
as in California. There is a steady, continuing supply of professional
managerial jobs for well-educated people in agriculture and natural
resource management. In response to the quality of our programs
and the career opportunities, the number of majors in the College
of Agriculture continues to rise.
Individuals enrolled in the College of Agriculture receive both theoretical
knowledge and practical experience — both very necessary to become the
future leaders of this important economic sector. Students learn through
a systems approach about the complex set of interrelationships between
agriculture, the environment, political and social forces, and other sectors
of the economy.
The BS in Agriculture covers agriscience and technology. Options are offered
in agriscience and education, animal and plant science, and land stewardship.
State-of- the-art procedures reflect the science-based nature of agriculture
and natural resource management in the 21st century. A student can choose
either to concentrate in a single option or emphasize a broad overview.
The program is designed for “hands-on” learning. A rigorous industry-based
internship program, undergraduate research experiences and a variety of
learning activities at the Agricultural Teaching and Research Center give
this program its reputation for student-centered learning.
The BS in Agricultural Business provides students with an excellent and
comprehensive background in business theory combined with a working knowledge
of production agriculture. The Agricultural Teaching and Research Center,
microcomputer lab, and off-campus internships are available to gain valuable
practical experience. The emphasis of this degree program is to prepare
students for entry-level management positions. Specialized subject areas
include agricultural marketing, agricultural finance and appraisal, and
agricultural business management.
Facilities
Excellent agricultural facilities include 800 acres of irrigated farmland
and approximately 240 acres of rangeland. A wide variety of crops are grown
at the Agricultural Teaching and Research Center. It has excellent orchards
and croplands and is stocked with many head of registered animals.
Barns, shops, greenhouses, orchards, laboratories, along with ample classrooms
and well-equipped laboratories on the main campus, provide the student
with a fine environment in which to study and learn about agriculture,
natural resources and agricultural business management.
The Agricultural Teaching and Research Center offers students the opportunity
to obtain practical experience in many different areas of both plant and
animal production systems. In addition, students have excellent opportunities
to participate in funded applied agricultural research activities.
Career Outlook
Federal reports indicate that in the 21st century there will be more professional
job openings in the agricultural and natural resource management sectors
than there will be qualified graduates to fill those positions. Career
opportunities appear excellent.
Some graduates in agriculture enter positions leading to management responsibilities
on the farm or ranch, in industry, in business, in governmental land management
and regulatory agencies, or in research and education.
Other agriculturists are finding employment in various agriculturally related
careers such as purchasing, advertising, public relations, transportation,
inspection, and market reporting. And still others have taken positions
with agricultural cooperatives, food and dairy product companies, agrichemical
manufacturing and sales companies, farm credit, and agricultural communications.
For today’s commercial farmer and natural resource manager, a degree in
agriculture provides the technical and business background necessary to
keep up with rapid changes that are taking place within the agricultural
industry. The professional areas of teaching, agricultural extension, rural
development, and basic or applied research also attract many graduates.
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