Program Sub-plans

Students are required to complete one of the following sub-plans. (Note for the Twin Cities and Morris campuses: The honors sub-plan does not meet this requirement. Honors students are required to complete one sub-plan plus the honors sub-plan. Please see an adviser if no honors sub-plan is listed for the program.)

The emphasis gives students the agronomic knowledge and aeronautical skills for careers as aerial applicators. Graduates have earned the appropriate flight certificates to pursue related careers as pilots in charter services, aerial fire fighting or photography, aviation sales, fixed-base operations, or flight instruction.

Students receive a combination of liberal education, agriculture, and business courses sufficient for employment in a variety of agricultural businesses, including rural cooperatives, grain and livestock marketing firms, implement dealerships, and chemical companies.

The emphasis gives students broad exposure to production agriculture and closely related industries. Students acquire practical skills and technical knowledge they will need as agricultural producers or to gain entry-level employment in the businesses and industries that support farmers and ranchers.

The emphasis prepares graduates to work in crop farm production operations and provides entry-level education for jobs in the agricultural services sector. Employment options include seed, feed, fertilizer, and chemical companies; grain inspection and elevator operations; and crop research support.

Students within this emphasis can further focus their studies on the meat animals, dairy, or equine industries. Respectively, typical careers include rancher or assistant ranch manager, assistant herdsperson, dairy equipment installer/service person, stable manager, and riding instructor.

For students seeking careers in production of horticultural crops or in landscaping, nursery, florist, or horticultural supply and service businesses, the emphasis teaches the identification and production of horticultural plants; nutrition, soils, and pest management; and environmental health and safety.

Employment opportunities include technician-level jobs with conservation managers or researchers and with watershed or soil and water conservation districts. Other options include assistant-level positions with county, state, and federal parks and supervisory/maintenance work with city and county park departments.