Entrepreneurial & Diversified Agriculture

Program Summary

This program offers the chance to learn sustainable farming techniques and effective small business strategies. It provides practical knowledge in local food production, environmental stewardship, small business planning and hands-on experience with Central Iowa farmers practicing sustainable agriculture, vegetable production, and/or certified organic farming.

Students earning the certificate option can receive training in the specific subject area of agriculture.

Degrees Offered

• Associate in Applied Science (AAS)

• Associate in Arts (AA)

• Certificate

Faculty

• Linda Barnes, Associate Professor of Biology, Linda.Barnes@iavalley.edu

• Sally Wilson, Associate Professor of Anatomy and Physiology, Sally.Wilson@iavalley.edu

Scholarships

• Janet White Mead – MCC agriculture program; 2.5 GPA; financial need but not full federal aid.

For other scholarships, go to Scholarships.

Related Majors

Agriculture

Horticulture

AA Degree Requirements
General Education/Credit Hours
Communications (courses approved for AA) 9
Humanities (courses approved for AA) 9
Social/Behavioral Science (courses approved for AA) 9
Math and Science (courses approved for AA) 10
Computer Education (courses approved for AA) 3
Physical Education (courses approved for AA) 2
Total 42

Electives (must select 22 credit hours)
AGA154 Fundamentals of Soil Science 3
AGA450 Issues in Sustainable Agriculture 3
AGB225 Farmstead Planning and Technology 3
AGB334 Applied Systems Thinking
AGH265 Horticultural Crops 3
AGS308 Livestock Management 3
BIO112 General Biology I 4
BIO113 General Biology II 4
BIO142 Ecological Concepts 4
BUS130 Intro to Entrepreneurship 3
BUS131 Small Business Management Strategies 3
CHM165 General Chemistry I 4
CHM175 General Chemistry II 4
CHM261 Organic Chemistry I 4
MAT121 College Algebra 4
MAT156 Statistics 3
Total 22
Total Required Hours 64

Program Requirements
ACC311 Computer Accounting 3

AGA154 Fundamentals of Soil Science 3
AGA450 Issues in Sustainable Agriculture 3
AGB225 Farmstead Planning and Technology 3
AGB933 Practicum/Apprenticeship 1-6
AGH265 Horticultural Crops 3
AGS308 Livestock Management 3
BIO142 Ecological Concepts 3
BUS130 Introduction to Entrepreneurship 3
BUS131 Small Business Management Strategies 3
Total 28-33

Program Electives
AGA211 Grain and Forage Crops 3
AGA220 Perennial Crops 3
AGA334 Forage Production 3
AGA378 Sustainable Pest Management 3
AGA455 Organic Crop Production 3
AGA460 Production Problem Solving 3
AGA470 Safety in the Food System 3
AGB220 Property Ownership and Financing 3
Total 24
Total Required Hours 64-69

Certificate Requirements
Required Courses /Credit Hours
AGA450 Issues in Sustainable Agriculture 3
Total 3

Recommended Electives (select 9 credits)
ACC311 Computer Accounting 3
AGA154 Fundamentals of Soil Science 3
AGA211 Grain and Forage Crops 3
AGA220 Perennial Crops 3
AGA378 Sustainable Pest Management 3
AGA455 Organic Crop Production 3
AGA460 Production Problem Solving 3
AGA470 Safety in the Food System 3
AGB220 Property Ownership and Financing 3
AGB225 Farmstead Planning and Technology 3
AGB334 Applied Systems Thinking 3
AGB933 Practicum/Apprenticeship 1-6
AGH265 Horticultural Crops 3
AGS308 Livestock Management 3
BIO142 Ecological Concepts 3
BUS130 Introduction to Entrepreneurship 3
BUS131 Small Business Management Strategies 3
Total 9
Total Required Hours 12