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Major in Agricultural Business
The Agricultural Business major teaches students the operating techniques and business skills used in the modern food and fiber industry.
Students build the knowledge and skills needed to manage small- and medium-sized businesses in agriculture and allied industries, including businesses involved in production, value-added agricultural products, distribution, processing, packaging, marketing, and support services.
Program Overview | Curriculum | Application Information | Faculty Research | Objectives and Outcomes | Contact Us
Program Overview
The Agricultural Business major prepares students for careers that connect agriculture, business, economics, finance, policy, food systems, and management.
Students gain comprehensive knowledge of business practices in the context of agriculture. The program values hands-on experience both in and out of the classroom, including internships and research assistant positions within the Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics and beyond.
The major is designed for students interested in the “boots on the ground” side of agriculture as well as students interested in the policies, economics, and business systems that shape agriculture. Students may pursue careers in farming and ranching, government, animal production, agricultural marketing, finance, supply chains, and related fields.
What makes this program unique:
- Focus on business skills used in the modern food and fiber industry
- Preparation for managing small- and medium-sized agricultural businesses
- Emphasis on agriculture, business management, public policy, and economics
- Hands-on experience through internships and research assistant positions
- Opportunities to specialize through three concentration options
- Interdisciplinary connections with agricultural sciences, economics, and management
- Preparation for careers across agriculture, finance, marketing, operations, policy, and supply chains
Curriculum
The Agricultural Business major requires a minimum of 120 credits.
Plan of Study
Freshman Year
- AREC 192 — Orientation to Agricultural and Resource Economics — 1 credit
- AREC 202 — Agricultural and Resource Economics — 3 credits
- CO 150 — College Composition — 3 credits
- ECON 204 — Principles of Macroeconomics — 3 credits
- MATH 117 — College Algebra in Context I — 1 credit
- MATH 118 — College Algebra in Context II — 1 credit
- MATH 124 — Logarithmic and Exponential Functions — 1 credit
- Select one agricultural science course — 3–4 credits
- Select one computing or data course — 3–4 credits
- Biological and Physical Sciences — 7 credits
Freshman Year Total Credits: 29–31
Sophomore Year
- ACT 205 — Fundamentals of Accounting — 3 credits
- AREC 224 — Introduction to Agribusiness Entrepreneurship — 1 credit
- AREC 305 — Agricultural and Resource Enterprise Analysis — 3 credits
- MATH 141 — Calculus in Management Sciences — 3 credits
- SPCM 200 — Public Speaking — 3 credits
- Agricultural Science Electives — 6 credits
- Advanced Writing — 3 credits
- Arts and Humanities — 6 credits
- Historical Perspectives — 3 credits
Sophomore Year Total Credits: 31
Junior Year
- AREC 310 — Food and Agricultural Markets — 3 credits
- AREC 311 — Agricultural and Resource Product Marketing — 3 credits
- ECON 306 — Intermediate Microeconomics — 3 credits
- MKT 362 — Professional Selling — 3 credits
- Select one data or econometrics course — 3 credits
- Select one finance course — 3 credits
- Select one marketing course — 3 credits
- Select one statistics course — 3 credits
- Select a minimum of 3 credits from approved AREC electives — 3 credits
- Agricultural Science Elective — 3 credits
- Elective — 3 credits
Junior Year Total Credits: 33
Senior Year
- AREC 428 — Agricultural Business Management — 3 credits
- AREC 492 — Senior Seminar in Agricultural and Resource Economics — 1 credit
- Select two courses from Agricultural Production Management,
- Agricultural Finance, or Agricultural Commodities Marketing — 6 credits
- Select one course from Ag- and Resource-Based Economic Development or Agricultural Policy — 3 credits
- Select a minimum of 6 credits from approved AREC electives — 6 credits
- Agricultural Science Elective — 3 credits
- Electives — 3–5 credits
Senior Year Total Credits: 25–27
Concentrations
Agricultural Economics
Focus on the theoretical and analytic tools of applied economics. Students develop skills to apply these principles in water, recreation, environmental economics, industry and business, marketing, production, and government.
Farm and Ranch Management
Students learn to apply economics and the underlying physical and biological sciences that drive agricultural technology to problems facing modern farmers and ranchers.
Food Systems
Students study the application of theoretical and analytic tools of applied economics within the context of food systems, from small-scale localized markets and traditional commodity-based products to vertically coordinated supply chains.
Total Program Credits: 120
Application Information
Students interested in the Agricultural Business major should visit the CSU Course Catalog to learn about courses and degree requirements.
Admission and Program Details
- Degree Type: Bachelor of Science
- Format: On campus and online
- Competitive Major: No
- Accelerated Option: No
Application Deadlines
- Early Action: November 15 for
- Regular Decision: January 15 for
How to Apply
Students should follow the standard CSU undergraduate application process. Key steps include:
- Applying using the common application
- Paying the application free or waiver
- Submit a personal statement/essay
- Provide transcripts
Tuition & Support
- Federal financial aid and scholarships may be available
- Additional financial resources can be accessed through the Office of Financial Aid
Student Employment
Students should contact their advisor and department graduate coordinator for current opportunities. Other employment opportunities are available through Handshake.
Faculty and Research
The Agricultural Business major is housed in the Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics.
Students may gain hands-on experience through internships and research assistant positions within the Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics and beyond.
Agricultural Research and Development Center
Work directly with crops and livestock at this research and teaching complex — one of ten around the state.
Nutrien Agricultural Sciences Building
CSU’s new home for Colorado agriculture, student aspirations and agricultural innovation for global impact.
JBS Global Food Innovation Center in honor of gary and kay smith
Operate food supply equipment and process food in this state-of-the-art laboratory. Food is sold through Ram Country Meats at the on-campus Where Food Comes From Market.
Objectives and Outcomes
The Agricultural Business major prepares students to solve real-world business problems, formulate alternative solutions, and communicate critically and analytically.
Program Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, graduates will exhibit:
- Professional Development
Graduates will embody a general awareness of issues in agriculture and their implications in a larger societal context. Students will begin to develop personal and professional connections that support an understanding of professional expectations and conduct. - Technical Competence
Graduates will demonstrate technical competency within their chosen discipline, including the ability to use appropriate theory and methods, gather applicable evidence, analyze that evidence, and use available technology. - Problem-Solving Skills
Graduates will demonstrate the ability to solve real-world problems beyond the classroom. Students will be able to identify a problem and its scope, evaluate resources, formulate alternative solutions, and select solutions aligned with a stated objective. - Communication Skills
Graduates will demonstrate proficiency in oral and written communication, including substance, organization, mechanics, documentation, and synthesis. Students will communicate findings critically and analytically at a professional level. - Leadership
Graduates will develop leadership qualities for professional, personal, and community interactions. These qualities include vision, initiative, personal responsibility, team building, and motivating collective action.
Career Pathways
Graduates pursue roles in:
- Commodity Broker
- Agricultural Statistician
- Loan Officer
- Credit Analyst
- Farm Manager
- Ranch Manager
- Supply Chain Analyst
- Sales Representative
- Grain Merchandiser
- Operations Manager
- Landscape Contractor
- Crop Insurance Analyst
- Feedlot Manager
- Real Estate Appraiser
- Elevator Manager
- Precision Ag Technologist
- Farm Machinery Sales Representative
- Sales Manager
- Human Resources Specialist
- Agricultural Chemical Sales Representative
Related interest areas include:
- Agriculture
- Animals
- Business
- Economics
- Finance
- Policy
Contact Us
Ready to learn more about the graduate programs at CSU’s College of Agricutlural Sciences? Connect with a program advisor today.
Grad Layout Update Test Form
Come to the Table
Become part of our agricultural community and experience hands-on learning while building relationships. Bring your creativity, ideas and lived experiences. Leave with the confidence to collectively solve the grand challenges of sustaining our natural resources and feeding the world.
CONTACT
301 University Ave.
Colorado State University
Fort Collins, CO 80523-1101
Phone: 970-491-6274
Fax: 970-491-4895
Dean’s Office
Employment | Equal Opportunity | Privacy Statement | Accessibility Statement | Disclaimer
© 2022 Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado 80523 USA
Come to the Table
Become part of our agricultural community and experience hands-on learning while building relationships. Bring your creativity, ideas and lived experiences. Leave with the confidence to collectively solve the grand challenges of sustaining our natural resources and feeding the world.
CONTACT
301 University Ave.
Colorado State University
Fort Collins, CO 80523-1101
Phone: 970-491-6274
Fax: 970-491-4895
Dean’s Office
Employment | Equal Opportunity | Privacy Statement | Accessibility Statement | Disclaimer
© 2022 Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado 80523 USA