Agricultural Business

Overview

careers

  • Personal Banker

  • Accounting Clerk

  • Farmer / Rancher

  • Crop Scout

  • Operations Specialist

Job Placement Rate ⓘ
0 %
Average Salary ⓘ
$ 0

The business of agriculture is varied and complex.  Mitchell Tech’s highly qualified instructional staff and reputable program will prepare graduates for a variety of ag business careers.

Beginning with basics like farm accounting and commodity marketing, students will also be taught the fundamentals of animal science and agronomy in order to learn how those areas relate to the financial bottom line.

During the second year, students will take courses in management, sales and service, ag law, finance, insurance and e-commerce.  A variety of guest speakers, case studies, and hands-on activities will reinforce concepts and prepare students for many occupational options.

Graduates will find a wide variety of employment opportunities in areas like management, sales, claims processing, analysis, grain management, lending, marketing or many other areas.

Curriculum

Award: AAS Degree

Semesters
0
First Semester
AGT101 > Animal Science I3 credits
AGT102 > Weeds & Herbicides3 credits
AGT104 > Ag Chemicals2 credits
AGT120 > Soil Science I3 credits
AGT211 > Farm Accounting3 credits
TRAN100 > Industrial Transportation CDL1 credit
CIS105 > Introduction to Computers3 credits
SSS100 > Student Success1 credit
Total Semester Hours19 credits
Second Semester
AGT110 > Crop Science I3 credits
AGT112 > Fertilizers3 credits
AGT160 > Commodity Marketing I3 credits
AGT190 > Internship I6 credits
AGT214 > Ag Law3 credits
CPR100 > First Aid, CPR AED0.5 credits
Total Semester Hours18.5 credits
Third Semester
AGT103 > Machinery Management2 credits
AGT260 > Advanced Commodity Marketing3 credits
AGT261 > Ag Sales & Service3 credits
AGT293 > Business Lab1 credit
> Communications Elective3 credits
> Math Elective3 credits
> General Education Elective3 credits
Total Semester Hours18 credits
Fourth Semester
AGT215 > Ag Finances3 credits
AGT218 > Principles of Ag Bus. Management3 credits
AGT263 > Fundamentals of Insurance2 credits
AGT290 > Internship II6 credits
> General Education Elective3 credits
Total Semester Hours17 credits

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 Agricultural Business 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:
  • Apply problem-solving skills to various agriculture situations
  • Apply the principles of human resource management to different situations in the ag business industry
  • Analyze data and draw appropriate statistical conclusions
  • Describe marketing’s strategic role in an agribusiness organization and design a marketing plan for a product
  • Analyze current agriculture events and issues and the effect they have on the future of agriculture
  • Solve real-world problems by identifying a problem and its scope, evaluating resources to address the problem, formulating alternative solutions, and selecting the solution(s) most consistent with the stated objective
Annual Program Review

Check out the 2024-25 Annual Program Review for information on how faculty ensure the quality and effectiveness of the program.

Faculty

Ag Business Instructor

Cost

Program Tuition & Fees ⓘ
$ 4000

Other Required Costs

Laptop/Software$1,300
CDL$1,250
Books / Tools (estimated)$828

Scholarships

$0

Women for Success @ Tech Scholarship

Women for Success at Tech Group

The Women for Success at Tech Scholarship is a dedicated award established by the Women for Success at Tech group at Mitchell Technical College. This scholarship aims to support and empower female students who are pursuing their education and career goals at Mitchell Tech. Created by women who are committed to fostering success and leadership among female students, this scholarship recognizes academic potential, perseverance, and a commitment to personal and professional growth. It is awarded annually to one or more outstanding female students who demonstrate a strong work ethic, leadership qualities, and a dedication to making a positive impact in their chosen field. This scholarship is more than just financial aid—it’s a show of support from a community of women who believe in the power of education and in the potential of every female student to achieve success.
*Eligibility Requirements: *Enrolled full-time at Mitchell Technical College *Demonstrate academic promise and commitment to success *Preference may be given to students with financial need or those involved in campus and community leadership activities *Student must complete the Online Scholarship Application *Any program is eligible

$1500

1 AVAIL.

C & R Supply Inc. Agricultural Business

C & R Supply Inc.

Must be enrolled full time in the Agriculture Business program
Must maintain a 3.25 GPA or higher
Must be from South Dakota, Minnesota, Iowa or Nebraska
Must complete the Online MTC Foundation scholarship application
Must be enrolled full time in the Agriculture Business program Must maintain a 3.25 GPA or higher Must be from South Dakota, Minnesota, Iowa or Nebraska Must complete the Online MTC Foundation scholarship application

$500

1 AVAIL.

Blacktop Farms Scholarship

Steve and Lori Repenning/ Blacktop Farms

Must be a 2nd year student
Must be enrolled fulltime in Agronomy, Ag Business, Animal Science, Precision Technology or Diesel program
Must maintain a 2.0 GPA or higher
Must complete the online MTC scholarship application
Must be a 2nd year student Must be enrolled fulltime in Agronomy, Ag Business, Animal Science, Precision Technology or Diesel program Must maintain a 2.0 GPA or higher Must complete the online MTC scholarship application

$2000

5 AVAIL.

Spaans Legacy Scholarship

Spaans Family

Must be an Incoming Student
Must be enrolled full time in Animal Science, Ag Business or Agronomy
Must maintain a 2.5 GPA or higher
Must complete the online MTC scholarship application
Must be an Incoming Student Must be enrolled full time in Animal Science, Ag Business or Agronomy Must maintain a 2.5 GPA or higher Must complete the online MTC scholarship application

$500

1 AVAIL.

Rod Bowar Memorial Scholarship

Kennebec Telephone Company

Rod owned Kennebec Telephone Company, providers of telephone, cable TV and internet service to Kennebec, Presho and rural Lyman County. He joined the company in 1977 and purchased it in 1998. Rod was passionate about providing the best opportunities possible for his family and community. He served on many different boards and committees, including serving on the Mitchell Technical College Foundation Board. Two of Rod’s children were Mitchell Tech grads, and his businesses employ multiple Mitchell Tech graduates.
2.5 GPA or greater Programs eligible: WIFI/Broadband Technology, Electrical Construction & Maintenance, any Business related program

$500

2 AVAIL.

Central Electric Cooperative Scholarship

Central Electric Cooperative

Electrical Utilities & Substation
Power Line Construction & Maintenance
Electrical Construction & Maintenance
Heating & Cooling
Agricultural Business
Agronomy
Applicant must be a full-time student in the Electrical Utilities & Substation, Power Line Construction & Maintenance, Electrical Construction & Maintenance, Heating & Cooling, Agricultural Business or Agronomy program at Mitchell Technical College Applicant must maintain a 2.5 GPA Student must be a member or dependent of a member of Central Electric Cooperative based in Mitchell, SD Applicant must complete the MTC Online application to be eligible to receive this scholarship. Student must provide member name on account and Central Electric will verify membership status before recipient is announced

Contact Admissions

For information about any of our programs, application, or any of our other student services please contact us:

Admissions Office
Mitchell Technical College
1800 E. Spruce St.
Mitchell, SD 57301

800.684.1969
605.995.3025
fax: 605.995.3067
[email protected]

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