Build Your Future in Farm Management
Prepare for a rewarding career in farm and agribusiness management with the Agricultural Management Diploma at Iowa Lakes Community College. This one-year diploma program provides hands-on training in agricultural management, including crop production, livestock management, and precision agriculture, giving you the skills needed to thrive in the ever-evolving agriculture industry. At our 300+ acre college-owned farm, you’ll gain real-world experience working with row crops, cattle, swine, and advanced ag technology.
Throughout the Agricultural Management Diploma program, you’ll develop expertise in:
- Farm business planning and operations
- Precision agriculture, GPS/GIS, and Variable Rate Technology (VRT)
- Livestock production, including real-time ultrasound and artificial insemination
- Soil fertility and crop management strategies
The Occupational Experience portion of our program allows you to earn money while gaining industry experience, preparing you for entry into farm management, agribusiness, or livestock operations.
Explore career opportunities in agriculture through the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Outlook Handbook. Ready to take the next step? Connect with an enrollment coach today and start your career in agricultural management!
Find Your It!
Get the Skills to Manage Modern Farms
A Diploma That Prepares You for the Workforce
The Agricultural Management Diploma at Iowa Lakes equips students with practical, career-focused training in farm operations, agribusiness management, and emerging ag technologies. Whether you plan to work on a farm, manage livestock operations, or start your own agribusiness, Iowa Lakes provides the skills and experience to help you succeed.
Hands-On Learning with Real-World Application
Our program combines classroom instruction with hands-on training, ensuring you graduate job-ready. By working directly with advanced ag equipment and production systems, you’ll gain the knowledge and confidence to excel in a high-demand field.
Program Details
Length
2 Terms
Degree
Diploma (29 credits)
Campus
Emmetsburg
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.
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 Ag Electives: 2 credits
Ag Lab: 1 credit
Term 2
AGA 852 – Principles of Crop Production
This course introduces and reinforces concepts of plant, soil, tillage, pest, environmental, and sustainable aspects of crop production. Agricultural systems from around the world will be introduced. Practices associated with optimum crop production of selected field crops will also be discussed.
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.
COM 723 – Workplace Communications†
Developing skills in reading, writing and listening as they apply to students’ vocational needs.
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
AGS 308 – Livestock Management Techniques
In this course students will explore livestock management practices and techniques with various types of livestock. Primary focus will be beef cattle and swine. Areas specific to proper livestock handling, livestock husbandry, and health management will be discussed to prepare students for careers related to animal science.
Choose AGC 131, COM 723, or ENG 105
Plus choose Ag Electives: 3 credits
Ag Lab: 1 credit
General Education & Program Learning Outcomes
In the Agricultural Management program at Iowa Lakes, you will learn the following:1
- Illustrate key management practices in livestock operations.
- Compare common crop enterprises important to our region.
- Apply effective workplace communication skills.
- Practice critical thinking skills in agricultural management situations.
- Demonstrate application of agricultural knowledge and resources to solve problems and perform relevant activities.
- Construct a business plan for an agricultural operation.
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.
Available Agricultural Production Certifications
- Agronomy Science
- Beef Certificate
- Beef Science Certificate
- Swine Certificate
- Swine Science Certificate
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
0.1%
Potential Careers
Ag Production Tech – Feed Production, Agricultural Inspector, Swine Production Specialist, Farm Equipment Operator, Cow/Calf Technician, Farm Manager, Applications Specialist
Projected Earnings
Iowa Workforce
$46,281
Average Salary
US Bureau of Labor
$38,382
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 |