​The Agricultural Business Management program is designed to prepare students for careers in production agriculture, farm management, agribusiness management, ornamental horticulture, precision technology, agricultural mechanics, local food production, and natural resources and conservation. Students learn to apply key concepts, principles and terminology of business (economics, management, finance, marketing, and others) and science (soils, crops, and animal) to real-world issues and opportunities in the agricultural and natural resources industries. Classroom and laboratory instruction, supervised agricultural experiences, team and individual projects, leadership, and interpersonal skill development activities prepare students for advanced training, higher education, and entry to agriculture and natural resource careers.

Certificates and Degrees

Nature of Work

Leaders are needed in all phases of agribusiness, from procuring ingredients to shaping production spaces and supervising a supply management system. Graduates are qualified for positions as entry level practitioners, assistant managers, team supervisors, technical representatives, and salespeople. Graduates of the Agricultural Business Management degree find employment in a variety of settings, including: home farms, commercial farms, supermarkets, feed or machinery firms, seed/feed dealers, precision agriculture, ornamental horticulture, landscape design, and other agribusinesses. This program is part of the Agriculture, Food & Natural Resources Career Cluster.

Employment Opportunities

  • Farmer
  • Farm manager
  • Agriculture research
  • Seed sales
  • Agriculture support
  • Nursery/greenhouse manager
  • Rancher
  • Ranch manager

AAS Degree​​

Agricultural Business Management: 69-72 Credit Hours

Fall Semester CoursesCredit Hrs.
ABM173Land Laboratory I*1
AG 107Emerging Issues in Agriculture & Natural Resources2
Fall AG/ABM Courses8
Thematic Electives #4
15
Spring Semester CoursesCredit Hrs.
ABM174Land Laboratory II*1
GT 150Applied Math (or MAT132)^3
HS 101First Aid (or HS 103, 104, 106, 109, or 111)^2-3
Spring AG/ABM Courses5-8
Thematic Electives #4
15-19
Summer Semester CoursesCredit Hrs.
ABM155Crop Clinic2
ABM210Cooperative Agricultural Internship I*1
3
Fall Semester CoursesCredit Hrs.
ABM175Land Laboratory III*1
ABM176Land Laboratory IV*1
Fall AG/ABM Courses8
Thematic Electives #6
16
Spring Semester CoursesCredit Hrs.
GT 162Applied Communications (or COM103 or ENG101)^3
Spring AG/ABM Courses5-8
Thematic Electives #6-8
15-19
Summer Semester CoursesCredit Hrs.
ABM215Coop. Agricultural Internship II**1
Fall AG/ABM CoursesCredit Hrs.
ABM140Agricultural Finances (Odd Years)2
AG 104Intro. to Animal Science (Odd Years)3
AG 106Computers in Agriculture (Odd Years)3
ABM200Agricultural Farm and Sales Management (Even Years)2
AG 100Introduction to Agriculture Economics & Agri-Business (Even Years)3
AG 103Intro. to Soil Science (Even Years)3
Spring AG/ABM CoursesCredit Hrs.
ABM235Agricultural Marketing (Odd Years)2
AG 101Intro. to Ag Mechanization (Odd Years)3
ABM190Ag. Sales & Entrepreneurship (Even Years)2
AG 102Intro. to Crop Science (Even Years)3
AG 105Intro. to Horticultural Science (Even Years)3
NOTE: #Students must choose 20-23 thematic focus course hours found below.

If student is transferring to pursue a Bachelor degree, substitute:
^transfer Math, English, Speech and 3 hr. Health Science.
*total of 6 hours from the approved IAI Humanities and Fine Arts Courses
**BUS250 or one IAI approved Social and Behavior Sciences courses.

Transfer Agreements

Southern Illinois University – Carbondale


Certificate

Agricultural Precision Technology – Certificate: 10 Credit Hours

Credit Hrs.
ABM131Fertilizer & Pesticides2
ABM151Precision Agriculture: Hardware2
ABM152Precision Agriculture: Software2
ABM153Precision Farming Systems2
ABM195GIS in Agriculture & Natural Resources2

Agricultural Production – Certificate: 10 Credit Hours

Credit Hrs.
ABM131Fertilizer & Pesticides2
ABM135Crop Management2
ABM153Precision Farming Systems2
ABM171Livestock Management2
Open AG/ABM Elective2