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California State University, Chico
College of Agriculture

Agricultural Science BS

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  • Program Type

    Undergraduate Major

  • Delivery Type

    On Campus

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Agricultural science is where communication, leadership, and education intersect—preparing you to be an industry leader and educator. You’ll cover all facets of agriculture, from technology to business and animal to plant science, with the chance to learn in the very fields, labs, and work environments of your future industry.

Whether you want to supervise Future Farmers of America at the high school level, run communications for a multimillion-dollar or family business, or work in ag sales, agricultural science is where you’ll gain firsthand knowledge and experience for your future career.

Teacher smiling while teaching in a classroom

The Science of Agriculture

After grasping the basics on plants and animals, you’ll start an in-depth exploration into topics around food safety, pests and diseases, the intersection of climate and the environment, government policies and regulations, and the impact of technologies like robotics and AI.

  • faculty talking to a student while holding a welding mask

    Agricultural Communication and Leadership

    Understand the practice and science behind agriculture while mastering your understanding of communication theory and strategy to effectively communicate with a wide variety of audiences, with jobs in public relations, marketing, advocacy and more.

  • two people working together at the animal science lab

    Agricultural Science and Education

    Most students in this option aspire to be teachers and are expertly prepared for the agriculture teaching credential program. With a broad curriculum covering all aspects of ag, you will also be job-ready for management, sales, and production agriculture.

Find Your Place

Plant science students working outdoors.

Agricultural science and education students are prepared to teach at the junior high, high school and community college level anywhere in California and the United States. Students who focus on agricultural communication and leadership often find careers in government, nonprofit administration, media, marketing, and sales. Some top employers include:

  • School districts across the state
  • California Department of Education
  • Farm Bureau
  • California Ag in the Classroom
A staff member standing in a barn surrounded by stacks of hay.
“
In agricultural education, I’m treated as an individual and the faculty works with me, my strengths and weaknesses, to grow.
Matthew Bongiovanni, Agricultural Science and Education, ’19
Read about Mathew's opportunities

Grow Where You Are Planted

Ag is well known for its opportunities beyond the classroom. Engage in teaching in a real school setting or take your skills to the stage with a competitive club—both great ways to hone your communication, confidence, and leadership.

  • Student is smiling while reaching up to a branch inside the greenhouse.

    Learn By Doing

    Master your skills in a real-world environment. You’ll trade traditional classrooms for greenhouses, school farms, agricultural mechanics and agriculture science labs, supervised agriculture experience projects, and FFA programs.

  • group photo at a livestock judging event

    Nationally Competitive Teams

    Students in our Academic Bowl and Marketing Teams regularly take top honors. Showcase your communication skills at the national level by competing in topics like macroeconomics, policy, and management.
  • #12

    Ag Degree in Nation

  • 190k

    Scholarships Awarded Annually

  • 25

    Ag Clubs, Teams, and Programs to Join

  • 26-to-1

    Student-to-Teacher Ratio

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FFA student looking down at a notepad while taking notes inside the barn.

Ag Leaders of Tomorrow Start Today

Inspire ag majors of tomorrow as an Ag Ambassador, deepen your skills as an Ag Communicator of Tomorrow, or compete as part of Collegiate FFA. Our students also take leading roles in activities like FFA Field Day, Parli Pro Contest, Judging Opening and Closing Ceremonies, FFA State Convention workshops, and the National FFA Convention.

A staff member examining the plants in the green house.

Learn in the Field

You’ll learn in the very environments you’ll eventually work in—with hands-on experience in agriculture science laboratories, greenhouses, school farms, agricultural mechanics laboratories, supervised agriculture experience projects, and FFA programs.

Related Programs

Faculty member pointing to items on a whiteboard in a classroom setting

Agricultural Science

Wondering whether a degree in Agricultural Science might be right for you? Contact our office to ask questions or set up a conversation with one of our advisors.

Phone: 530-898-5844
Email: AgOutreach@csuchico.edu