Adult Education

The adult education program is intended for anyone who would like to improve their agricultural interests.  The courses can be taken independently or to fulfill the requirements of the certificate program.  The courses will be very flexible and students can complete the requirements on their own schedule.  Course cost $279.  Contact LeRoy Nelson at by clicking here!

Farm and Ranch Management Option

Courses

Plant Science

Animal Science I

Crop Science

Farm Business Management I

Soils and Range Sciences

Minimum Elective Courses–Five additional courses needed to complete Certificate Program

Elective Courses – Choose from the list of electives below to complete the program requirements.  Ag Issues/ Leadership or Agribusiness may also be implemented into each program as an elective.

Elective Courses

Veterinary Sciences

Risk Management

Marketing

Natural Resources Systems

Equine Sciences

Aquaculture Sciences

Organic Farming Practices

Horticultural Sciences

Pest Management

Agribusiness Option

Courses

Plant Science

Animal Science

Crop Science

Farm Business Management

Agribusiness

Minimum Elective Courses–Five additional courses needed to complete the Certificate Program

Elective Courses – Choose from the list of electives below to complete the program credit requirements.

Elective Courses

Soils and Range Sciences

Risk Management

Marketing

Natural Resources Systems

Equine Sciences

Aquaculture Sciences

Organic Farming Practices

Horticultural Sciences

Pest Management

Ag Issues / Leadership

Veterinary Sciences

Course Descriptions

Plant Science

Topics include plant science on classifying, structure, anatomy, the role of nutrients, effects of light and temperature, photosynthesis, and propagation.

Crop Science

Topics include weed identification and control methods, grain grading and analysis, and the production, processing, marketing and rotational adaptations of new and emerging high value crops.

Animal Science

Topics include general production and management of major meat producing animals.  Subject areas include production systems, breeding systems, feeding, facilities, health, economics and marketing.

Farm Business Management

Topics include understanding management, planning operations, making cost control decisions, making production decisions, estimating production costs, and adjusting for change.

Soils and Range Sciences

Topics include physical, chemical, and biological properties of soils as related to use, conservation, and plant growth.  Principals of plant nutrition and soil nutrient availability, soil testing and fertilizer recommendations and management will be covered.  Principals of range management will include plant identification, range evaluation and range improvement.

Veterinary Sciences

Topics include basic body systems, health and nutrition topics, and specific disease problems.

Risk Management

Topics include understanding risk management, managing production risks, managing marketing risks, and managing financial and legal risks.

Marketing

Topics include market planning and the use of futures and options in marketing farm commodities.

Natural Resources Systems

Topics include natural resource management, major ecosystems, how they work and how they are influenced by human activity.  Understanding water and air quality, managing land for wildlife, soil conservation, waste management and sustainable agriculture topics are also discussed. This course provides students with a balanced perspective on how humans interact with our natural environment and how they depend upon our natural resources.

Agribusiness

Topics include starting a small business, overview of agribusiness, basics of agribusiness financial planning, finances, record-keeping and accounting, agribusiness capital investments, land and building improvements, leasing vs. ownership, organizations and cooperatives. The course also covers the nature of risk, the use of insurance and laws that determine liability, basics of U.S. farm policy, current government programs and tax laws that impact farmers.

Ag Issues / Leadership

Topics include current agriculture issues that will have a significant impact on agriculture now and in the future, and how to identify and resolve agricultural-related issues. The course discusses leadership, development of leadership professionals, ethical communication skills and parliamentary procedure.  Leadership topics include methods, principles, and practices in organizing, developing, conducting and evaluating professional and community organizations.

Equine Sciences

The course teachers the history of horses and the equine industry, types of horses, genetics, donkeys and mules, horses and their health, physiology, care and management. Topics include parasites, feed, exercise, reproduction, body condition, grooming, gaits, dental care, equipment and breed information.

Aquaculture Sciences

Topics include industry history, careers, production systems, aqua species names and traits, anatomy, marketing and spawning.

Organic Farming Practices

Topics include organic management and producing organic crops and livestock.

Horticultural Sciences

Topics include landscaping, ornamentals, floriculture, greenhouse technology, hydroponics, fruits and vegetables, garden preparation and marketing of fruits and vegetables.