Hands-On Training Meets Advanced Technology
As technology evolves, so does the demand for specialized training to excel in agribusiness. At Iowa Lakes Community College, our Associate in Applied Science (AAS) degree in Agribusiness Technology offers unparalleled hands-on learning opportunities at our state-of-the-art, college-owned farm.
Imagine managing over 300 acres of lush row crops, tending to a herd of 50 cattle, overseeing a commercial feedlot with more than 150 head, and operating a premier swine facility with a full farrow-to-finish setup. You’ll be immersed in every aspect of farm management, gaining the skills and expertise needed to excel in modern agribusiness.
This program goes beyond fieldwork, combining practical experience with coursework in advanced agricultural principles, marketing strategies, and business communication. You’ll learn how to run daily farm operations and master the strategies and tools needed for long-term success.
Earn While You Learn
Through the Occupational Experience portion of the program, you’ll gain valuable, real-world experience in agribusiness, all while getting paid. It’s the perfect blend of education and practical application, ensuring you graduate ready to make an immediate impact in the field.
Career Opportunities
Graduates are prepared for high-demand roles such as:
- Agronomy Technician
- Grain Originator
- Feed Production Sales Specialist
- Livestock Industry Sales Representative
- Chemical Applicator
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, careers in agribusiness offer competitive salaries, with average annual earnings between $38,000 and $46,500, depending on the role and experience.
Your future in agribusiness starts here. Connect with an enrollment coach today—Get to it!
Find Your It!
Real-World Learning at a State-of-the-Art Farm
At Iowa Lakes, your classroom goes far beyond a lecture hall. Our college-owned farm serves as the foundation for your education, offering a unique environment where you’ll learn everything from crop management to advanced livestock operations. The farm combines traditional agricultural practices with the latest technology, ensuring you gain foundational knowledge and innovative techniques that set you apart.
Comprehensive Curriculum, Real Results
The Agribusiness Technology program blends science, technology, and business, preparing you for roles such as agronomy technician, grain originator, and livestock industry sales representative. Through immersive learning and industry-relevant coursework, you’ll graduate ready to tackle the challenges of modern agribusiness.
Program Details
Length
4 terms
Degree
Associate in Applied Science (68 credits)
Campus
Emmetsburg
Training
Internship/Practicum
Additional Information
Term 1
AGA 154 – Fundamentals of Soil Science
An introduction to basic soil formation, classification, physical properties, water, organic matter, pH, and fertility.
AGC 100 – Agricultural Computer Applications
This course includes basic knowledge of computer hardware, software and operation with an agriculture emphasis. Students will explore agricultural related applications.
AGC 111 – Basic First Aid/Life Support
This course teaches American Red Cross basic first aid and American Heart Association cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Students will obtain a 10-Hour Occupational Health and Safety Association (OSHA) card, included in this training: tractor safety, chemical safety, and livestock safe handling practices.
AGC 130 – Mathematics I-Agriculture
Provides the student with math skills relating to agricultural economics, agribusiness, animal science, agronomy, and agricultural mechanics. Applies the basic math functions and basic algebra to practical agricultural situations.
AGC 936 – Occupational Experience
This course is a required on-the-job training experience in the Agribusiness and Ag Production curriculum. Students work in an agricultural setting gaining employment experiences while applying skills and technologies developed in the classroom.
AGS 113 – Survey of the Animal Industry
This course is an introduction in animal science including various species and breeds of domestic animals and gives them an appreciation for the principles of production, biological principles, stewardship, and animal industries as they relate to animal production in the U.S. and the world.
Plus choose from AGA, AGC, AGS: 2 credits
Term 2
AGA 114 – Principles of Agronomy
Covers the basic principles of crop production, including classification, soil-plant interrelationships and growth process in response to environment.
AGC 937 – Occupational Experience II
This course is a required on-the-job training experience in the Agribusiness and Ag Production curriculum. Students work in an agricultural setting gaining employment experiences while applying skills and technologies developed in the classroom.
AGS 319 – Animal Nutrition
Examination of nutritional principles, digestive systems, composition and nutritional characteristics of common feedstuffs, ration formulation and recommended animal feeding programs.
BUS 161 – Human Relations†
Students are given the opportunity to apply human relations concepts and evaluate experience and observations. Social skills required in various occupational settings will be developed, emphasizing how appropriate personal attitudes lead to social and business success.
Plus choose from AGA, AGC, AGS: 5 credits
Term 3
AGB 194 – Beginning Sales
This course introduces the basics of professional selling in the agricultural environment. It involves preparing and making a sales presentation for an agricultural product that involves both a written and oral communication component. Topics covered include methods of selling, steps and techniques in the selling process, preparing a product summary and pre-call sheet, prospecting customers, methods for closing a sale, and sales management in agriculture.
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.
AGB 437 – Commodity Marketing
Introduction to the commodity futures markets, with information on contract specifications, exchanges, basic trading information, and fundamental and technical market information.
AGC 210 – Employment Seminar
Preparation of the farm management student for entry into the non-family farm job market.
AGC 938 – Occupational Experience III
This course is a required on-the-job training experience in the Agribusiness and Ag Production curriculum. Students work in an agricultural setting gaining employment experiences while applying skills and technologies developed in the classroom.
Plus choose from AGA, AGC, AGS: 4 credits
Term 4
AGB 101 – Agricultural Economics
The Agricultural Economics course is the introduction of economic principles of production, supply and demand applied to economic problems of agriculture and agricultural-related industries, and to the decisions in farm management, marketing, foreign trade, and agricultural policy.
AGB 210 – Agricultural Law
This course is designed to provide students with basic information of concepts and terminology used in agricultural law and the legal system and where to find resources for legal materials. Topics covered in the course include laws that relate to agriculture, specific laws in agriculture, the use of leases and contracts, tax basics, and how this information applies to real life situations.
AGB 466 – Agricultural Finance
This course is a study of the terminology and tools of agricultural finance. It emphasizes the use of credit, preparation of financial documents, evaluating financial condition, and discusses financial risk strategies.
AGC 131 – Agricultural Communications
Agricultural Communications is a course that provides reinforcement and mastery of the various segments of agricultural communications. Students will develop verbal, nonverbal, oral, written, and visual communication skills and how these techniques are utilized in the context of agriculture.
FIN 121 – Personal Finance
The basics of budgeting and buying; the intricacies of home ownership, income tax and investments; the use of insurance, wills, and trusts; and an analysis of how psychological, sociological, and cultural factors affect one’s relationship to the use of money.
ACC 111 – Intro to Accounting
Introduces the basic principles of accounting and the recoding of simple business transactions using the double entry system. Includes the accounting procedures of journalizing transactions, posting to the ledger, making a trial balance, creating receipt and disbursement of cash.
Choose either FIN 121 or ACC 111
Plus choose from AGA, AGC, AGS: 3 credits
General Education & Program Learning Outcomes
In the Agribusiness Technology program at Iowa Lakes, you will learn:1
- Practice critical thinking and problem-solving to make agricultural management decisions.
- Construct various accounting, marketing, and budgeting documents for agricultural business management decisions.
- Demonstrate professionalism in an agricultural workplace setting.
- Practice effective oral and written communication skills in various contemporary agricultural contexts.
- Demonstrate workplace safety in an agricultural setting.
- Apply economic accounting, marketing, and budgeting principles to agriculture enterprises.
- Explain key characteristics of crop and livestock enterprises.
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 Agribusiness Technology Associate in Applied Science degree from Iowa Lakes Community College.
Available Agribusiness Technology Certifications
- Agribusiness Finance
- Agribusiness Sales & Marketing
OUR FARM FEATURES:
AGRONOMY
- 250 Acres of Row Crop
- Precision Ag Technology (GPS)
SWINE OPERATION
- Farrow-to-Finish
- PigCHAMP – leading swine management software
BEEF OPERATION
- Monoslope Cattle Barn
- Custom Feedlot
- Electronic Identification
- Performance Beef – industry-leading feedlot technology
- Cow-Calf Herd
NEWLY CONSTRUCTED FARM LAB FACILITY
- 7,600-square-foot building
- Modern and innovative classroom
- Shop area for machinery repair
- Advanced technology simulation lab
Hands-On
Training
Career-Ready
Day One
Opportunities, Earnings & Growth
Projected Employment Growth
4.7%
Potential Careers
Feed Production Sales, Ethanol Feed Sales and Marketing, Agricultural Feed and Animal Consulting, Livestock Industries Sales Rep, Grain Originator, Agronomy Technician, Chemical Applicator
Projected Earnings
Iowa Workforce
$101,254
Average Salary
US Bureau of Labor
$87,980
Average Salary
START YOUR LAKER JOURNEY IN 4 STEPS!
Questions? Let's Talk
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Kelly Dodge Assistant Professor | Agriculture Programs 712-852-5329 | kdodge@iowalakes.edu |
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Tom Quastad Assistant Professor | Agriculture Programs 712-852-5239 | tquastad@iowalakes.edu |
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Alexis Mart Agriculture Technology Instructor 712-852-5320 | amart@iowalakes.edu |