Agriculture, Modern Food Production and the Environment: Modern Food Production Certificate

West Burlington campus and online

Program Information

Agriculture, Modern Food Production and the Environment: Certificate

The SCC's Agriculture, Modern Food Production, and the Environment program provides students with the opportunity to prepare for a lifetime of learning through classroom and internship positions limited only by students' initiative and imagination. This program prepares students to serve the food production and processing industries through operation of feed mills, fertilizer plants, elevators, retail farm supply stores, and farm equipment dealers. The program is also designed to provide improved skills in the areas of crop and livestock production, agriculture equipment, and farm business management.

Students may choose to pursue the Pathway most relevant to their desired career. Pathways include Agriculture Business, Agronomy, Animal Science, Online, or Specialty Crop.

Summary Sheet

The summary sheet provides a program overview and other information.

Download the summary sheet.

Curriculum Information

Curriculum Sequence
Fall Semester	Course Title	Credit
AGB-336	AGRICULTURAL SELLING	3
AGC-216	CAREER SEMINAR	2
AGB-330	FARM BUSINESS MANAGEMENT	3
Take 1 of 2 courses:
AGA-181	INTRODUCTION TO CROP SCIENCE	3
AGH-221	PRINCIPLES OF HORTICULTURE	3
Take 1 of 2 courses:
AGB-235	INTRODUCTION TO AGRICULTURE MARKETS	3
BUS-102	INTRODUCTION TO BUSINESS	3
Take 1 of 2 courses:
AGH-131	GREENHOUSE MANAGEMENT (ONLINE)	3
AGS-113	SURVEY OF THE ANIMAL INDUSTRY	3
	Semester Total:	17
	PROGRAM TOTAL:	17

Course Descriptions

AGB-336 - AGRICULTURAL SELLING
Lecture: 3		Credit: 3
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.
AGC-216 - CAREER SEMINAR
Lecture: 2		Credit: 2
This course is designed to help students explore and discover the many opportunities that are available in the profession of agriculture and related industries both nationally and internationally.
AGB-330 - FARM BUSINESS MANAGEMENT
Lecture: 3		Credit: 3
Applies business and economic principles of decision making and problem solving in the management of a farm business. Covers cash flow, partial, enterprise, and whole farm budgeting. Reviews information systems for farm accounting, analysis, and control. Examines obtaining and managing land, capital, and labor resources. Provides alternatives for farm business organization and risk management.
AGA-181 - INTRODUCTION TO CROP SCIENCE
Lecture: 3		Credit: 3
Basic structure and function of plants, origin and classification, growth and development. Fundamentals of photosynthesis, plant water use, plant nutrition and genetics that regulate plant growth, development and responses to the environment.
AGH-221 - PRINCIPLES OF HORTICULTURE
Lecture: 2	Lab: 2	Credit: 3
Provides an introduction to horticulture covering the basic knowledge and skills associated with growth and development of plants including fruits, vegetables, turf grass, and ornamentals.
AGB-235 - INTRODUCTION TO AGRICULTURE MARKETS
Lecture: 3		Credit: 3
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.
BUS-102 - INTRODUCTION TO BUSINESS
Lecture: 3		Credit: 3
An overview of contemporary business principles touching on all the major functional areas of business and trends that are shaping today's business environment. Understanding the fundamental pillars of the business environment -- globalization, technology, and ethics -- is a crucial component in this course.
AGH-131 - GREENHOUSE MANAGEMENT (ONLINE)
Lecture: 3		Credit: 3
Manage greenhouse air, water, soil, and light for most efficient use of resources. Pest management, plant rotation and scheduling for flower sales are included.
AGS-113 - SURVEY OF THE ANIMAL INDUSTRY
Lecture: 2	Lab: 2	Credit: 3
Introduces students to the various species and breeds of domestic animals and to create an understanding of the principles of food animal production, product marketing, and issues confronting the animal industry.