Agriculture General Studies in USA

In addition to their science-based landscape horticultural skills, students selecting landscape enterprise management are prepared to become account managers in client relations, business managers, as well as supervisors for landscape installation projects and landscape management.

Horticulturists work to enrich our lives by integrating and applying plant science, environmental science, molecular biology, biotechnology, genetics, physiology, and management. Specifically, horticultural science deals with the development, production, growth, distribution, and use of fruits, vegetables, greenhouse crops, ornamentals, turf, and specialty plant crops (used for flavoring and medicine). Horticultural science is one of the most diverse biological sciences one can study at a university. Not only are the biology and genetics of crop plants interesting, but the application of this knowledge is equally important in a myriad of situations. Undergraduate horticulture majors will obtain specialized training in greenhouse/field management and the production and use of fruits, vegetables, nuts, and herbaceous/woody ornamentals through the bachelor of science degree program.

In addition to obtaining a job with an undergraduate degree in horticulture, the major provides an excellent background for graduate study in the field of plant sciences. Areas of graduate study include plant breeding and plant genetics, horticulture, agronomy, plant pathology, or other related fields such as biology, environmental science, natural resource management, agroecology, and genetics.

Students with either undergraduate or graduate degrees in horticulture have a variety of career opportunities. Recent studies show that there are more jobs in agriculture in the US than there are students graduating with agricultural bachelor of science degrees to fill them. Estimates in 2015 showed that there were 57,900 job openings in agriculture and related fields and only 35,400 students graduating annually in those areas. As our world grapples with the need to contribute science-based solutions to feeding 9 billion people by 2050, students trained in the agricultural and horticultural sciences will be called on to contribute.

Horticulture graduates may find opportunities in working on developing higher yielding crops or crops that can withstand more stressful growing conditions. Others may find opportunities working on improving qualities such as flavor, appearance, texture, and postharvest shelf life for a wide range of horticultural commodities from fruits to vegetables to flowers. Sustainable production is a particular area of growth where horticultural expertise can make a contribution. Students may wish to read a recent report from the United States Department of Agriculture and Purdue University on the subject of employment opportunities in this area.

The horticulture degree serves as excellent preparation for careers in food production, plant nurseries, community supported agriculture (CSA), public gardens, landscaping, greenhouse production, teaching, public parks, vegetable fields, golf courses, urban agriculture, extension- and community-based educational work, work in research labs, and the health sciences. In addition, many horticultural science majors go on to work in public sector jobs including city and state positions with the Department of Natural Resources, the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, and University of Wisconsin Division of Extension. Students with degrees in horticulture also work in hospitals (horticultural therapy), aerospace (food and recycling in space labs), and zoos (managing environments for animals and visitors). Although the career opportunities are numerous, horticulture students have a common desire to work intensively with plants to improve our environment and our health. 

A degree in Agricultural Science offers a pathway to a wide range of meaningful and impactful careers. From working in the field analyzing crop yield, to discovering new formulas for products in a laboratory, successful Ag professionals can change the world.

The MS degree in Horticulture may be earned for a program of study comprising at least 30 hours of work including credit for graduate thesis work, which constitutes a major portion of the degree program.  Opportunities to develop research projects exist in a broad range of horticultural topics such as:

• Ornamental plant selection and evaluation
• Low-temperature tolerance
• Landscape plant production
• Blueberry physiology and hardiness
• Pomology
  • Greenhouse management

The interdisciplinary, or general, agriculture degree is ideal for students who would like a well-rounded agricultural sciences education.

The Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Agriculture is designed to meet the needs of students desiring a program of study in agricultural education or education, ranch and farm production or any of several other fields of study. The program allows for the selection of a minor in special interest areas such as criminal justice, legal studies, community leadership, biology, general business, environmental science and there are many other options. Additionally, the Double Major in Education and Interdisciplinary Agriculture [Agricultural Education] is a popular option.

Atmospheric scientists assess and forecast weather patterns, analyze trends in the climate, monitor air quality and more. The next generation of atmospheric sciences experts will be part of the solution in tackling the evolving challenges of our planet.

With this UND graduate program, you'll have opportunities to:

• Work with faculty who are conducting cutting edge research with agencies such as NASA, NSF, and the Naval Research Laboratory.
• Gain a solid understanding of evolving nature and the atmospheric forces all around us.
• Prepare to work in a wide variety of agencies, laboratories, businesses and educational institutions.

A degree in Agriculture opens the door to many exciting careers and opportunities.  Agriculture contributes over 5 percent of the U.S. gross domestic product and nearly 11 percent of all employment in the U.S.  Every year millions of jobs are available in the agriculture sector and over 60,000 jobs go unfilled each year.  The B.S. in Agriculture at Sul Ross offers four concentrations that prepare students for careers in this dynamic and challenging field.

Numerous internship opportunities for students
More than 16 active student organizations
State-of-the-art greenhouse complex for teaching and learning
Hands-on experience with traditional, new, and organic crops, as well as with livestock, at WIU agriculture laboratories and agriculture test stations, as well as research at off-campus sites
Numerous grants and an international reputation for animal and plant research

Today’s veterinarian is a medically trained, scientifically-oriented professional, capable of rendering many services and accepting wide responsibilities in all areas of animal health and in many areas of public health. Such a challenging career stimulates the interest of students; therefore, the competition for vacancies in veterinary medicine is high.

While most of the pre-veterinary medicine curriculum can be completed in two years, many students are finding it advisable to spend three or four years in completing these requirements. During this time, they also take additional courses leading to a degree in agricultural sciences. Many students are completing degrees before they enter a college of veterinary medicine.

Interested students should anticipate spending three to four years at college preparing for admission to any school of veterinary medicine. Students trying for admission need to maintain a high grade point average in college, especially in science courses. After receiving the applications, some schools arrange for interviews with prospective students to gauge their interest and knowledge of veterinary medicine and their likely success as a veterinarian. Students should have previously gained exposure to veterinary medicine, possibly by working with one or more veterinarians.

The Department of Agriculture always stands ready to assist students in fulfilling their pre-veterinary medicine requirements, whether they wish to do it in a two-year span or over three or four years. The supporting departments at the University – including biology, chemistry, and English – offer quality courses that provide students with an excellent background for the pursuit of veterinary medicine.

The Department of Agriculture and Nutrition Science strongly recommends that students complete the following courses as part of their General Education, as they are prerequisites for required major courses and/or requirements for graduation. Students who do not complete these courses as part of General Education can potentially add additional credits and time to their degree. 

Agricultural Science and Technology is an interdisciplinary major focusing on sustainable production of food, feed, fiber, fuel, and ornamentals as well as developing skills to provide agricultural education for all. This major is a science based curriculum that allows students to obtain technological skills while developing critical thinking in a broad area of agricultural studies. Within this major there are three specializations to choose from: Agronomy, Environmental Horticulture, or Agricultural and Extension Education. 

The Environmental Horticulture specialization focuses on the science, technology and management of fruit, vegetable, flower and woody ornamental plant production. The applied aspects of the curriculum include training in plant propagation, greenhouse crop production systems, containerized nursery production, food crop production and controlled environmental systems. Courses are taken in plant science, soil science, plant protection and food safety practices. Graduates of this program pursue careers in urban agriculture, horticultural enterprises and public education programs. Students can prepare for plant science graduate programs by taking additional courses.

The College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences (ACES) offers graduate work leading to the Master of Science degree with a Major in Agricultural Production and Concentration in Professional Science Master’s (PSM). Fields of specialization within this interdisciplinary program include Food Animal Production, Crop Production, and Sustainable Production Systems. In addition to the rigorous scientific training in the area of agricultural production, instruction is provided in applied business knowledge and skills. This program is designed for those who seek careers in a science-based setting with significant managerial and leadership responsibilities.

Agricultural systems management is the application, operation and management of modern agricultural systems, including agricultural equipment, buildings, materials handling, natural resources and processing elements. Students in the agricultural systems management major take courses in the fundamentals of agricultural machinery and machinery management, soil and water systems, and agricultural buildings and facilities.