Overview
careers
Agronomist
Operations Specialist
Truck Driver
Custom Applicator
Agronomy Assistant
Farmer/Rancher
Agronomists are individuals who are experts in planting, cultivating and harvesting food for an ever-expanding global market. Mitchell Tech’s program has an excellent reputation and will provide graduates with many career options.
Students will learn about different methods to increase soil organic matter and improve the overall soil health. They will study crop growth stages for the top four crops produced in South Dakota: corn, soybeans, small grains, and alfalfa, and discuss management options available at certain crop stages. Disease and insect identification are also key factors involved with today’s crop production efforts. Weeds that are common to this region will be observed and control strategies will be discussed. Crops also depend on a balanced fertilizer source; students will look at soil test and tissue test results and help make sound environmental recommendations.
Students will also gain experience with ag chemicals and will test for their chemical applicator’s license. Hands-on activities with machinery, small engines and other areas that will expand the student’s experience will be integrated into a variety of courses.
A featured component of this program is the Mitchell Tech Land Lab. The program farms 85 acres of land near Mitchell. Mitchell Tech Ag students and instructors manage all aspects of crop production including government programs. The land lab is used in conjunction with many of the production and agri-business classes and gives students exposure to precision technologies including auto-steer, geo-referenced data management and variable rate technologies. Students gain experience in all areas of the operation: budgeting, planning, planting, spraying, fertilizing, harvesting and marketing.
Graduates will find work in all areas of agriculture from production to sales and service, agronomy, working with cooperatives or in management.
Curriculum
Award: AAS Degree
First Semester
Second Semester
Third Semester
Fourth Semester
Requirements
Admission Requirements
Any student who enrolls in Commercial Driver training must obtain a South Dakota driver’s license in order to complete the CDL training course. A Class A CDL is a graduation requirement for this program.
Mitchell Tech recommends that applicants to the Agronomy program obtain a physical examination for their safety and protection.
Please Note:
- Students enrolled must possess a Class A CDL license before the end of the 10th day of their first semester of enrollment or be registered for TRAN 100 during their first semester.
- Students must pass the Commercial Applicator’s License exam in order to graduate.
Computer Requirements
This program requires a laptop computer so that you can effectively integrate computing skills with your technical education. Many resources that instructors assign are online or require specialty software. To address these needs, Mitchell Tech requires that students entering this program purchase their laptops from Mitchell Tech. The cost for a Mitchell Tech laptop averages about $1,000 for this program. Please be aware that our machines come fully loaded with the software required for this program.
Whether it’s Microsoft Office, or a specialty software for a technical program, your needs will be met by your Mitchell Tech laptop. And our laptops are serviced for free by our Technology office. You will not be able to bring a laptop from home into a Mitchell Tech laptop program as we cannot provide support services for every make and model of laptop. Please consider this carefully before making any laptop purchase and check with the Admissions office for more details.
Outcomes
At the completion of the program, graduates will be able to:
- Demonstrate knowledge and application of best management practices in agronomic fields
- Understand basic farm accounting principles
- Articulate proper practices for manure nutrient management and application
- Apply economic principles of accounting, marketing and budgeting to agronomy enterprises
- Create a crop management plan
- Identify common diseases, funguses and insects found in South Dakota
- Summarize the causes of soil erosion, changes in organic matter levels, and soil health
- Identify the growth stages of corn, soybean, wheat and alfalfa plants
- Recognize nutrient deficiencies in various crops
Annual Program Review
Check out the 2025-26 Annual Program Review for information on how faculty ensure the quality and effectiveness of the program.
Cost
Other Required Costs
Laptop/Software $1,600
CDL $1,500
Books / Tools (estimated) $751
Scholarships
Mitchell Tech offers a variety of scholarships to qualified applicants. The application period runs from October 1 through November 1 for current students and January 1 through March 31 for incoming students.
Other Related Programs
If you’re interested in Agronomy, you might also be interested in these other agriculture & transportation programs at Mitchell Tech.
Agricultural Business
Animal Science
Diesel Power – Ag Power Technology
Diesel Power – Light Truck Technology
Powersports & Marine Technology
