Agronomy

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.