​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: 60-64 Credit Hours

Course CodeCourse NameCredit Hours
Fall Semester Courses
ABM 173Land Laboratory I1
AG 107Emerging Issues in Agriculture2
GT 162Communication Skills (or COM 103 or ENG 101)3
Fall AG. Core Courses (See list below)6
Fall ABM Electives (See list below)4
16
Spring Semester Courses
ABM 174Land Laboratory II1
ABM 210Cooperative Agricultural Internship I2
Spring AG. Core Courses (See list below)6
Spring ABM Electives (See list below)4-6
13-15
Summer Semester Courses
ABM 155Crop Clinic Seminar2
ABM 215Cooperative Agricultural Internship II4
6
Fall Semester Courses
ABM 175Land Laboratory III1
Math Elective (GT 150 or higher level MAT course)3
Fall AG. Core Courses (See list below)3
Fall ABM Electives (See list below)6-8
13-15
Spring Semester Courses
HS 101First Aid2
Spring AG. Core Classes (See list below)6
Spring ABM Electives (See list below)4
12
Ag. Core Courses Offered in the Fall
AG 106Intro. Microcomp. Skills in Agric. (fall of odd year)3
AG 103Intro. to Soil Science (Fall of odd year)3
AG 102Intro. to Crop Science (Fall of even year)3
Ag. Core Courses Offered in the Spring
AG 105Intro. to Horticultural Science (Spring of even year)3
AG 104Intro. to Animal Science (Spring of even year)3
AG 101Intro. to Ag. Mechanization (Spring of odd year)3
AG 100Intro. to Agricultural Economics (Spring of odd year)3
Students must also choose 18-22 credits from the following ABM Electives:
ABM 131Fertilizers and Pesticides (Fall of every year)2
ABM 101Intro. to Weed Science (Fall of even year)2
ABM 102Intro. to Ag. Research (Fall of even year)2
ABM 200Agriculture Farm and Sales Management (Fall of even year)2
ABM 190Ag. Sales and Entreprenuership (Spring of even year)2
ABM 153Precision Farming Systems (Spring of even year)2
ABM 195GIS in Agriculture and Natural Resources (Spring of even year)2
ABM 140Agricultural Finace (Fall of odd year)2
ABM 235Agricultural Marketing (Spring of odd year)2
ABM 151Precision Agriculture - Hardware (Spring of odd year)2
ABM 152Precision Agriculture - Software (Spring of odd year)2
ABM 171Livestock Management (Spring of odd year)2
* Students pursing this degree who decide they would like to transfer upon competion should consider taking IAI general education courses (math, communications, humanities/fine arts, social sciences, or sciences) in place of ABM electives.

Transfer Agreements

Southern Illinois University – Carbondale

Certificate

Agricultural Precision Technology – Certificate: 10 Credit Hours

Course CodeCourse NameCredit Hours
ABM 131Fertilizer & Pesticides2
ABM 151Precision Agriculture: Hardware2
ABM 152Precision Agriculture: Software2
ABM 153Precision Farming Systems2
ABM 195GIS in Agriculture & Natural Resources2

Agricultural Production – Certificate: 10 Credit Hours

Course CodeCourse NameCredit Hours
ABM 131Fertilizer & Pesticides2
ABM 155Crop Clinic2
ABM 153Precision Farming Systems2
ABM 171 Livestock Management2
Open AG/ABM Elective2