Agriculture

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Whether you want to work the land, raise livestock or help others do it better, NDSCS is a great place to start.

Academic Options

The NDSCS Agriculture department began in 1976 to provide students training in mechanics and farm management. Keeping up with technology and current workforce demands, programs have evolved to include Ag Business, Animal Science, Farm Management, Precision Agronomy, Precision Ag Technician, Ranch Management and a 9-month Meat Processing certificate. These programs are designed to help students gain employment in a the Agriculture industry or to help prepare students to operate a farm or ranch in the future.

Class sizes are kept smaller to allow students to benefit from lab activities, personalized instruction, and classroom interaction. Multiple programs allow for students to choose from a wide array of elective options to reach their career goals. Students who choose to continue their education find their coursework transferable to other institutions.

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Ag Business
Ag Business

The Ag Business option focuses on core business concepts such as accounting, sales, management and marketing, while providing a diverse agriculture background.

  • Type: A.A.S. degree (Agriculture degree sub-plan)
  • Locations: Wahpeton
  • Cluster: Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources
  • Green Technology Available


» View Program Information & Admission Requirements 

Animal Science
Animal Science

In the Animal Science option in the Agriculture Department you can choose between careers in diversified crop and livestock production, sales of livestock feed and supplies, and employment in a livestock operation.

  • Type: A.A.S. degree (Agriculture degree sub-plan)
  • Locations: Wahpeton
  • Cluster: Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources
  • Green Technology Available


» View Program Information & Admission Requirements

Farm Management
Farm Management

The Farm Management option focuses on farm management, record keeping and other agricultural topics such as precision agriculture, ag marketing, crop production, computerized records and soil fertility.

  • Type: A.A.S. degree (Agriculture degree sub-plan)
  • Locations: Wahpeton
  • Cluster: Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources
  • Green Technology Available


» View Program Information & Admission Requirements

Meat Processing
Meat Processing

The Meat Processing option is a collaboration offering between NDSCS and NDSU. Students who enroll in the Meat Processing certificate program at NDSCS will have the opportunity to gain skills in a high-demand career field.

  • Type: Certificate (Agriculture degree sub-plan)
  • Locations: Wahpeton, Fargo
  • Cluster: Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources
  • Green Technology Available


» View Program Information & Admission Requirements

Precision Agriculture Technician
Precision Agriculture

Students who enroll in the Precision Agriculture Technician program will seek employment in the agriculture equipment industry. Students will find many challenging courses, including agronomic fundamentals, sales, data analysis, data management, electrical fundamentals, hydraulic systems, and more. 

  • Type: A.A.S. degree
  • Locations: Wahpeton
  • Cluster: Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources
  • Green Technology Available
     

» View Program Information & Admission Requirements

Precision Agronomy
Agronomy

Students who enroll in Precision Agronomy will seek employment in the agriculture retail industry. Course work is designed to provide instruction in crop production, soils, field crop scouting, precision ag, agriculture sales, and business management. Cutting edge agricultural technology is infused into this curriculum.  

  • Type: A.A.S. degree
  • Locations: Wahpeton
  • Cluster: Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources
  • Green Technology Available
     

» View Program Information & Admission Requirements

Ranch Management
Ranch Management

The Ranch Management option is designed to provide the student returning to the ranch or diversified livestock operation with the management and production skills necessary to be successful.

  • Type: A.A.S. degree (Agriculture degree sub-plan)
  • Locations: Wahpeton
  • Cluster: Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources
  • Green Technology Available


» View Program Information & Admission Requirements

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Right now, there are more great agriculture career options than there are people to fill them, and the same goes for the future.

We’re helping our students jump into outstanding ag careers through hands-on experience with the latest information, advanced technologies and best management practices.

September 2018 - AM 890 AgNews Interviews NDSCS Ag Department Chair Craig Zimprich about land donated to NDSCS for a Land Lab. Click here to listen.

October 2017 - AM 890 AgNews Interviews NDSCS Ag Department Chair Craig Zimprich and NDSCS Associate Professor Dr. Anissa Hoffman about the new Ag Land Lab. Click here to listen.

 


 

NDSCS KOSEL FAMILY AGRICULTURE LAND LAB

In 2018, the NDSCS Agriculture department was gifted the lease for the NDSCS Kosel Family Agriculture Land Lab. This is a 90+ acre piece of land on the edge of Wahpeton. The acreage is used to demonstrate different crops, tillage, and management. Several courses in the Agriculture Department utilize this land and the data collected to create applied learning opportunities.

Tour Our Land Lab

Agriculture and Kosel Family Land LabSnap Content

 

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Agriculture Graduates from 2022-23 Academic Year - Includes Ag Business, Agronomy, Animal Science, Farm Management, Precision Agriculture and Ranch Management
Graduates Registered Avg. Beginning Annual Salary Reported High Annual Salary Placement Rate
44 $40560 $58240 95%
Ag students with awards

NDSCS Agriculture Program Students Excel at NACTA Conference

04-24-2023
The North Dakota State College of Science (NDSCS) Agriculture Program students had the opportunity to attend the NACTA (North American Colleges and Teachers of Agriculture) Judging Conference in Modesto, California from April 12-15, 2023.

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NEW Ag programs available

NDSCS to offer two new Agriculture Degrees

02-07-2023
North Dakota State College of Science will offer Associate in Applied Science degrees in Precision Agronomy and Precision Agriculture Technician starting in the fall of 2023.

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Student interview for AgWeek TV

College meat cutting programs start to fill up industry need

11-07-2022
Multiple colleges in North Dakota and Minnesota are starting up meat cutting programs to try to help meet a demand for workers. Some of the first North Dakota State College of Science students are interning with a small-town meat locker as part of that program.

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Meat Processing

NDSCS offering Meat Processing program

06-23-2021
North Dakota State College of Science (NDSCS) is accepting applications for students interested in obtaining a certificate in Meat Processing, a new program, beginning Fall 2021.

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Agriculture Instruction

NDSCS and Midwest Community College Partners Join Forces with NRCS

09-21-2020
The United States Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) is partnering with NDSCS and eight other Midwest community colleges to support hands-on student learning in the field, to develop future conservation-minded farmers and ranchers, and to cultivate more graduates interested in pursuing careers with NRCS.

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