Lead the Business of Modern Agriculture
Are you passionate about farm management, ag sales, or shaping the business side of agriculture? The Agriculture Business Transfer Major at Iowa Lakes offers a comprehensive foundation in farm management, ag sales, economics, and accounting, preparing you for leadership roles in the agribusiness industry.
The Ag Business Transfer AS Degree is designed for a seamless transfer to Iowa’s Regent Universities and other four-year institutions, helping you continue your studies in agribusiness, finance, or agricultural policy.
Through coursework in farm business management, agriculture markets, and sales, you’ll develop key skills for success in agricultural finance, consulting, farm operations, and agribusiness management. Whether your goal is to manage your own farming enterprise or lead within a large ag corporation, this program puts you on the path to success.
Engaging Curriculum with Real-World Applications
Key areas of study:
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Farm Business Management – Master financial planning and farm enterprise management.
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Agriculture Selling – Learn effective sales and negotiation strategies.
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Principles of Microeconomics & Accounting – Build financial and market analysis skills.
Shape the Future of Agribusiness
Agriculture business careers offer competitive salaries and diverse opportunities U.S. Department of Labor Occupational Outlook Handbook – Agriculture Business. Ready to take the next step? Connect with an enrollment coach today about our Agriculture Business Transfer Major!
Find Your It!
Your Future in Agriculture Starts Here!
At Iowa Lakes, your education extends beyond the classroom to our college-owned farm—an innovative, hands-on learning environment where traditional agriculture meets cutting-edge technology. From crop production to farm management and livestock operations, you’ll gain firsthand experience that prepares you for today’s evolving agricultural economy.
A Degree with Purpose
The Agriculture Business Transfer Major program combines science, technology, and business strategy to equip you for a wide range of careers in the agricultural industry. Whether you’re interested in grain marketing, ag finance, or livestock sales, this program gives you the tools to succeed in high-demand roles across the sector.
Program Details
Length
4 terms
Degree
Associate in Science (64 credits)
Campus
All Campuses & Online
Your Career Pathway: Additional Degree & Certificate Options
Additional Information
Term 1
AGB 330 – Farm Business Management
This course focuses on business and economic principles applied to decision making and problem solving in the management of a farm business. Topics include business plans, balance sheets, income statement, cash flow, partial, enterprise, and budgeting. Information systems will be used for farm accounting, analysis, and control.
CHM 151 – College Chemistry I
The first of two general survey courses introducing the student to general, organic and biological chemistry. Topics covered are chemical calculations, atomic structure, nuclear chemistry, periodic relations, gas laws, solid state, solutions, and acids and bases. Lecture and laboratory.
CHM 166 – General Chemistry I
The properties of matter in terms of modern chemical principles. The topics covered are measurements, stoichiometry, atomic structure, chemical reactions, periodic relationships, gas laws, thermochemistry, quantum theory, solutions and equilibrium and inter-and intra-molecular forces. Problem solving in each of the areas is included. Lecture and laboratory.
Prerequisites: High school chemistry and mathematics
ENG 105 – Composition I
Emphasis on expository and argumentative writings including a review of usage and mechanics.
Prerequisites: Satisfactory score on the ACT, Accuplacer, ASSET, COMPASS as determined by Iowa Lakes policy
SDV 103 – Successful Learning
Students master the academic and personal skills needed to succeed in higher education and in life. Content will cover academic, communication and life management skills. Goal setting, time management, note taking, test taking and how to be a lifelong learner will also be covered.
Choose CHM 151 or CHM 166
HUMANITIES: 3 CREDITS
MATH OR SCIENCE: 4 CREDITS
Term 2
AGB 336 – Agricultural Selling
This course teaches principles of selling with application to agricultural and food related businesses. In this course, we will review attitudes, value systems, and behavioral patterns that relate to agricultural sales and customer buying behaviors. We will implement marketing and selling strategies and prepare for sales calls. Students will demonstrates sales presentations, handle objections, and close sales, while also analyzing the buying or purchasing process and evaluating the agri-selling profession.
ECN 130 – Principles of Microeconomics
Reviews the organization and workings of modern economic systems; the role of markets, prices and competition in the promotion of economic welfare, alternative systems and international trade.
ENG 106 – Composition II
Continuation of ENG 105 with emphasis on research and documentation as well as literary analysis.
Prerequisites: ENG 105 – Composition I
SCIENCE OR MATH: 4 CREDITS
SOCIAL SCIENCE: 3 CREDITS
Term 3
AGB 235 – Introduction to Agriculture Markets
This course presents basic concepts and economics principles related to markets for agricultural inputs and products. Reviews current marketing
problems faced by farms and agribusinesses, farm and retail price behavior, structure of markets, food marketing channels, food quality and food
safety, and the role of agriculture in the general economy. Analyzes the implications of consumer preferences at the farm level. Introduces hedging,
futures and other risk management tools.
ACC 131 – Principles of Accounting I
The course examines the accounting methods, principles and terminology needed in the preparation and analysis of financial statements. Included is a study of partnership accounting.
CSC 110 – Intro to Computers
CSC-110 is an introductory course that surveys a variety of topics to include history, hardware, software, terminology, communications, computer ethics, and societal impact of computers. In addition to computer literacy, students will complete hands-on modules using operating systems, word processing, database, presentation, and spreadsheet software; such as Microsoft Office programs.
Term 4
SPC 101 – Fundamentals of Oral Communication†
The fundamentals course develops the basic skills involved in a variety of communication situations, including oral presentations and interpersonal speaking. Emphasis is placed on organization, audience analysis, vocal and physical delivery, listening, nonverbal communication, critical thinking, and methods of dealing with communication apprehension through class discussion and activities.
SPC 112 – Public Speaking
This course examines both the theoretical and practical basis of speech communication, particularly public speaking. Emphasis is placed on speech preparation, organization, support, delivery, and audience analysis.
SPC 122 – Interpersonal Communications
Examines how humans communicate in one-on-one situations through personal and professional relationships.
General Education & Program Learning Outcomes
By obtaining an Associate in Science (AS) degree from Iowa Lakes, you will learn the following:1
Communications:
- Students are able to communicate clearly, both written and oral using the correct medium.
- Students are able to support ideas with appropriate and adequate information.
Sciences:
- Demonstrate safe laboratory practices.
- Apply scientific inquiry/scientific method to answer questions about the natural world.
Mathematics:
- Apply mathematical methods to solve real world problems.
- Evaluate the validity of mathematical solutions.
Social Sciences:
- Students will demonstrate critical thinking skills in written and oral communication.
- Students will critique the diversity of human experience, individually and collectively.
Humanities:
- Respond critically using established aesthetic principles or criteria, or an ethical judgement of specific examples as it relates to the discipline.
- Express the principles of the discipline within the global community by using the language, syntax, and cultural context of the discipline appropriately.
Computers:
- Integrate the technology necessary in the workplace environment.
- Demonstrate knowledge in utilizing software application tools.
1The What You’ll Learn section of our website provides a description of Learning Outcomes for students who successfully complete all requirements for obtaining an Agriculture Production Technology Associate in Applied Science degree from Iowa Lakes Community College.
Hands-On
Training
Career-Ready
Day One
Transfer data to Iowa Regent Universities
First Year University GPA
Note: This is the average of transfer with associates and transfer, no associates
2.94
Average Retention One Year After Transferring to a Regent University
86%
Average University Graduation Rates Three Years After Entry to a Regent University
58%
START YOUR LAKER JOURNEY IN 4 STEPS!
Questions? Let's Talk
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Andrea Japenga Academic Advisor 712-852-5241 | ajapenga@iowalakes.edu |