Agribusiness

A Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Agribusiness from the University of Idaho provides a strong understanding of the operations of companies that produce and distribute agricultural goods and services. 

You'll develop practical business skills to manage people and make effective decisions in agriculture and the food industry, and you’ll graduate prepared to work in a variety of leadership positions in agriculturally related businesses.

As an agribusiness major, you’ll learn from experienced professors involved in today’s most pressing issues for agribusiness. You will practice commodities trading, immerse yourself in policymaking during a field trip to the state capital, or role-play adversaries in natural resource disputes. 

Senior year, you will draw on everything you’ve learned to assess an issue and present the findings to a real-world client. A recent group of seniors found ways for HomeGrown Poultry to minimize waste by marketing poultry byproducts. Our seniors have also worked for the J. R. Simplot Company and the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association.

You may also complete an internship for a business in the food industry or in a legislative office.

Prepare for Success

The agribusiness major is a good fit if you can see yourself:

• Taking a hands-on approach to understanding, managing and motivating people.
• Applying your knowledge of business to making decisions about production processes and marketing strategies.
• Using strong communication and leadership skills to work in teams that may include accountants, plant scientists, animal scientists, environmental scientists, engineers and policymakers.

• Participate in 4-H activities, volunteer at a county fair, help raise livestock or work for a farm or ranch.
• Practice your leadership skills in student office.
• Pay attention to current business and agriculture issues in the news.

Your First Year

Your first year, you will learn communication skills with course work in writing, rhetoric and public speaking. You will also take an overview of business in agriculture and the principles of economics.

More advanced major courses include farm and agribusiness management, agricultural markets and prices and the legal environment of business.

See the four-year plan.

What You Can Do

With a degree in agribusiness, you may become a:

• Marketing director: Make decisions about your company’s marketing strategies and advertising.
• Production manager: Manage the production processes of an agribusiness firm.
• Farm manager: Manage part or all of large farming or ranching operations.
• Business owner: Direct all operations of a farm, ranch or other agribusinesses.
• Analyst: Gather and interpret data to support lobbying efforts for an agribusiness organization.
• Sales representative: Sell agricultural products and services such as fertilizers or nursery plants.
• Appraiser: Determine the market value of land for a financial institution or governmental agency.
• Buyer: Negotiate the acquisition of crops for a food-processing company.

Opportunities

Nearly all of our graduates receive job offers upon graduation with starting salaries of up to $45,000. They work in business, for government and for nonprofit organizations. You may also choose to continue your education by earning an advanced degree in business, finance, law or agricultural economics.

Current Research

University of Idaho faculty members are widely recognized for their teaching and research efforts in agribusiness. Recent topics include:

• The contributions of immigrant farm workers to vegetable production
• Consumer attitudes toward eco-labeled food
• Organic potato production and marketing
• Dairy business management
• Risk management strategies for Pacific Northwest grain producers

Activities

Agribusiness Club: Meet business leaders and potential employers, learn about internships, and get help developing your resume and improving your interviewing skills. Help organize the club’s annual golf tournament, test your economics IQ in the national Quiz Bowl competition and take field trips to regional agribusiness firms.
Agricultural Student Affairs Council: Become a student leader.
American Agricultural Economics Association: Join the student chapter; attend national meetings and recruitment fairs. Participate in the National Food Marketing Challenge.

Hands-On Experience

Intern. Most of our students complete an internship the summer between their junior and senior years, earning 1 to 6 credits. They work for businesses in the food industry and in legislative offices. Below are examples of internship opportunities: 

• Farm credit services: Analyze data to determine the financial performance of farmers seeking loans.
• U.S. Congress: Conduct policy research as a legislative intern in Washington, D.C.
• Livestock Marketing Information Center: Apply new decision-making tools to determine the most efficient way to get products to buyers.

• Peru: Shadow a pepper production and marketing company.
• Taiwan: Understand international trade from a new perspective.
• New Zealand: Observe different types of agriculture.