Agricultural Systems Management

Design computer programs to guide decisions about irrigation, pest control and equipment maintenance. Develop a management plan for your agriculture operation. Calculate whether or not a new operation will be profitable. Determine the most effective irrigation systems to meet particular needs. Use sensors and other innovations to monitor moisture levels, soil conditions or plant growth. Learn to use Global Positioning Systems (GPS) and geographic information systems (GIS) in precision agriculture.

Our graduates are decision-makers in agribusiness.

Take courses in computer technology, business and agricultural systems. Much of your education will be hands-on. Learn to use state-of-the-art management programs in the computing lab. Discover how to wire connections, switches and motors in the electric power lab.

In your senior year, you will draw on everything you’ve learned when your team tackles a real-world issue. You might design a wireless information system for a farm or calculate the costs and efficiencies of different irrigation systems.

Most of our students complete an internship the summer between their junior and senior year.

Prepare for Success

This major is a good fit if you can see yourself:

• Managing information with computers.
• Taking a hands-on approach to solving problems.
• Using your creativity to develop and test new ideas.

To prepare, you may want to:

• Stay current with new technology.
• Participate in 4-H activities, volunteer at a county fair, or work for a farm.
• Practice your leadership skills in student office.

Your First Year

Your first year, you will learn communication skills with course work in writing and public speaking. You will also take an introduction to agricultural systems management and computer applications in biological systems.

More advanced courses cover topics in farm and agribusiness management, computer operating systems and engineering design.

See the four-year plan.

What You Can Do

With this degree, you may become one of the following:

• Data manager: Supervise the collection, storage and analysis of data for a large farm or other agricultural business. Guide management in making important decisions about efficiency and productivity.
• Production manager: Oversee all or some aspects of production for a farm, ranch or food product manufacturer. Collect data on productivity, labor, and equipment and plan for changes to improve efficiency and sustainability.
• Land assessor: Use GIS technology to assess land quality for a financial institution. Collect and analyze data to help make loan determinations.
• Industry technology representative: Work for a manufacturer of software or high-tech equipment for farms, ranches and processing plants. Work with customers to integrate new technologies into their practices.

Opportunities

Our graduates are highly sought by manufacturers, agribusiness firms and farm operations. Salaries start at $40,000.

You may also want to continue your education. Earn an advanced degree in computer science, business or engineering.

Current Research

Do research. Make hands-on discoveries. Earn money working with faculty on grant-funded research projects like these:

• Biodiesel Education Grant: Take part in one of many alternative-fuels research projects.
• Waters of the West Program: Work with politicians and land managers to solve real-world water problems from pollution to drought.
• U.S. Bureau of Reclamation Grant: Help field test a new type of irrigation system.

Activities

American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers: Join the ASM branch, meet business leaders and potential employers, and work with a senior design team to build a ¼-scale tractor for the International Student Design Competition.
Student Idaho Cattle Association: Attend seminars and conventions and learn about issues facing the beef cattle industry.
Collegiate Future Farmers of America (FFA) and 4-H: Attend local, state and national events.

Hands-On Experience

Intern. Get practical experiences like these:

• Farm: Set up a computerized management system to help make decisions about maintenance, labor, irrigation, and fertilizer applications.
• Syngenta: Harvest seeds and collect data.
• Simplot Soil Builders: Use portable data collection devices to gather information in the field.

Study abroad. Deepen your understanding of your major — and the world — in countries like these:

• India: Learn about 1,000-year-old farming practices on terraced hillsides.
• Mexico: Evaluate the function of absorbents in cleaning biodiesel.
• Taiwan: Reach speeds of 190 miles per hour on a bullet train.