Agriculture is one of the most ancient human practices. Today, it is associated with advanced technology: it is a broad area whose goal is to help solve the global problems of hunger, health problems, improve the quality of life, and also increase the amount of food for the growing population of the planet.
The United States is in the top 3 countries with the most developed agriculture in the world, the main achievements are concentrated in the production of corn, various types of meat, milk, and other livestock products.
The United States uses some of the world's most advanced agricultural technologies, and students who study here are mastering these technologies. Whether graduates return to their home countries or find employment in the United States, the skills that are useful will help them pursue a successful career in their chosen field.
What are US agriculture programs
Agriculture programs are aimed at studying plants, soil, animals: research laboratories work at universities, research is carried out. Top American universities offer more than 30 majors in agriculture - an international student has the opportunity to pursue degrees from associate to master in areas such as:
- Agricultural business
- Agricultural economics
- Agronomy, crop production
- Animal Science
- Horseback Riding
- Farm management, ranch
- Food science
- Gardening
- Soil Science, Sustainable Agriculture.
A variety of career opportunities open up for graduates: some large agricultural companies do not deal with animals at all, but work to improve the soil on the football field.
Requirements for students studying agriculture in the USA
Students are expected to have developed communication skills, building interpersonal relationships, leadership qualities, knowledge in the field of mathematics, mechanical technology, natural sciences.
Applicants provide a high school certificate with a specialized study of biology, chemistry, two to three years of studying a foreign language, four years of mathematics.
What disciplines do students study in the specialty "Agriculture":
- Agriculture and Environmental Ethics
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Accounting
- Food
- Soil science
- Livestock management
- Genetics.
Where graduates with a specialization in agriculture work
With a degree in agriculture, graduates work as farm or ranch managers, technicians, consultants, scientists, livestock breeders, technicians, farmers, health and regulatory inspectors, soil conservation and aquaculture specialists. Specialists in this field work outside the home most of the day: it is physically demanding, sometimes dangerous work.
How to Choose a Good College / University to Study Agriculture in the USA?
Preferred are universities with their own land plots. Most often these are state universities that combine research, teaching, and outreach. Independent schools in USA dominate agricultural education.
International students wishing to study agriculture in the United States must start with what they want to do after graduation so that they can develop a curriculum that provides the necessary skills to be competitive in their careers. Most agricultural students should be well versed in business, science, and mathematics.
Finding an agricultural internship
Most often, future farmers and agronomists do an internship in the summer between junior and senior college courses.
- Companies offering internships have requirements for the age of trainees - 18-30 years.
- Companies generally require an applicant to study in an internship-related field, complete 2 years of undergraduate studies before applying.
What to look for when choosing an internship
Find out if the company offers internships, whether there are summer, semester, or annual internships among them. Check if they are paid, unpaid, or equivalent college loans.
International internships are held in more than 50 different countries, the duration is from 3 months to a year.
Applicants choose programs in rural areas, large agricultural companies. Internship agencies match students with programs in the field and firm that will suit the specific needs of the applicant.
Internships provide:
- Food companies
- Laboratories studying genetics
- Parks, gardens, reserves
- Organic Rural Farms
- Computer software companies developing software for agriculture.
Internships can be held in the USA, Great Britain, and practically anywhere in the world. When considering job seekers, employers want to see that they have mastered the materials necessary for the job and are able to apply them in practice. Internships provide an opportunity to test companies, choose a potential job.
Top 10 Best US Universities with Agriculture Programs
Cornell University
Cornell University College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) is a leading university in agriculture, food, energy systems, life sciences, environment, social sciences. CALS offers a wide range of programs that go beyond the traditional definition of an agricultural top boarding schools in the US - from a business undergraduate program to innovative research in landscape architecture, life sciences. Through outstanding initiatives in food, animal, plant, and biological sciences, CALS demonstrates the relevance of agricultural research to create a world that can feed and support all of its inhabitants. This portfolio of programs and resources makes CALS one of the top colleges in the country.
- Tuition (average) - $ 28,921 / year.
University of Georgia
The specialty "Agribusiness" prepares students for a professional career in the field of marketing, management, finance, agribusiness. Agricultural enterprises process and sell food products, raw materials, and supply resources for agricultural production. Agribusiness specialists study economic principles, marketing strategies, agribusiness management.
Students learn decision making skills in agribusiness management, finance, marketing, sales, processing, manufacturing, transportation, international trade, forecast market prices, develop marketing strategies for new agribusiness products, participate in case studies.
University of Georgia conducts internships, study abroad programs, joint projects with agribusiness companies and government agencies. Students conduct research under the guidance of professors - this experience will help prepare for work in the world of agribusiness.
- The average cost of training is $ 15,961 / year.
University of Florida
The University of Florida's College of Agricultural and Life Sciences offers undergraduate degrees in Agriculture, Forestry, Geospatial Science, and Natural Resources Studies. Agriculture here means more than just educating the next generation of farmers and ranchers - it educates top-notch biologists, communicators, doctors, lawyers, scientists. Students learn from leading experts in agriculture and life sciences and undertake off-campus internships.
- The cost is about $ 10,457 / year.
Texas A&M University
Texas A&M University's College of Agriculture and Life Sciences provides students with opportunities for hands-on learning, first-hand experiences, preparing them to transcend College Station. Students find solutions to pressing global and local problems in the field of agriculture, health care, education, public policy, economics, and the environment.
There are 15 departments, more than 300 world-class teachers who are leaders in dozens of disciplines. More than 7000 undergraduate and graduate students choose from almost 100 programs, many opportunities to work and study abroad, visit the Center for Meat Science (!), Rosenthal Technologies, Leach Study Gardens.
The university provides students with the tools necessary for revolutionary discoveries, creates new educational tools: a podcast or video game that simulates the care of livestock; seminars with the Coffee Research Center.
- $ 19,237 / year
University of California - Davis
The College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CA&ES) has an international research reputation with distinguished scientists and a diverse active student community. The college has 28 master's, 40 bachelor's, and research courses in agriculture, environment, human needs and social sciences.
Specializations:
- Agricultural business, economics
- Zootechnics
- Applied Biological Systems Technology
- Ecological gardening
- Ecology and natural resources
- Plant growing, soil science.
Cost - approx. 15 886 $ / year
University of Wisconsin
The University of Wisconsin Agricultural Institute offers innovative dairy management programs. Research consultants work hand in hand with row crop, feed, fresh produce growers to provide leading edge techniques for every aspect of the food crop phase.
University objectives:
- Providing timely resources and information to assist Wisconsin crop growers.
- Enhancing the competitiveness of the Wisconsin dairy industry through leadership in education, statewide research.
- Providing research-based information on farm business management, resources, tools for farmers and agribusiness.
- Wisconsin Horticulture - Research on soil, trees, water quality, plant health, insects.
- Cattle breeding - helping farmers, consumers and related industries make informed decisions about beef cattle, poultry, sheep, goats, horses, pigs, meat.
- UW Discovery Farms - Training and development of on-farm related research to determine the impact of agricultural practices on Wisconsin farms.
- Master classes for gardeners - training volunteers to help inform the public about gardening, natural resources, and implement significant public programs.
Price (average) - $ 16,103 / year.
Virginia tech
The college offers a wide range of educational programs, from an associate agricultural technician to a PhD.
Virginia Tech's Agricultural Experimental Station (VAES) performs basic, applied research on agriculture, environment, natural, community resources related to future local, global needs.
- Cost - $ 21,482 / g.
Clemson University
The Department of Agricultural Sciences (AS), part of Clemson University's College of Agriculture, Forestry, and Life Sciences, provides training and research programs that address community needs in agribusiness, agricultural education, and agricultural mechanization.
Programs:
- Agricultural Education (BS, M.AgEd.)
- Agricultural Mechanization and Business (BS)
- Agribusiness (BS)
- Applied Economics and Statistics (MS)
- Applied Economics (PhD).
Price - approx. $ 22,572 / year
North Carolina State University
The Agricultural Institute of North Carolina State University is one of the best in the country. The hands-on curriculum allows students to keep abreast of rapidly changing technology, industry demands.
Six academic programs ranging from agribusiness management to landscape technology + unique opportunities for enrichment outside the classroom provide valuable real-world experiences.
- Cost - $ 14,958 / year.
The Ohio State University
Ohio State University Agricultural Technical Institute is an above-average public college located in Worcester, Ohio. It is a small educational institution with 611 students. Popular specialties include zootechnics, animal husbandry, agricultural business, agriculture, soil science. 69% of Ohio ATI alumni receive a starting salary of $ 37,900.
- Cost - $ 17,606 / year.
