Agricultural commodity risk management
Certificate, undergraduate
Grow your career in agribusiness
If you're interested in agribusiness, agrifinance or managing your own farm or ranch, understanding how commodity markets work is essential. In this program, you’ll dive into the price dynamics, market structures, production costs, profit margins and behaviors that shape the agricultural economy in Idaho and across the nation.
You’ll get real-world experience by trading actual commodities with real money through the Barker Capital Management Trading Program, led by expert faculty from the Department of Agricultural Economics and Rural Sociology and the College of Business and Economics.
You’ll also connect directly with the agricultural industry through field trips to local co-ops, marketing centers, commodity merchandising firms and export terminals. These hands-on experiences, combined with internship opportunities, will give you the practical knowledge and industry connections to launch your career in agriculture.
Overview
Related Topics
Trade commodities and gain experience
Degree fit
This program could be a good fit if you:
- Have a passion for agriculture and finance and want to understand how commodity markets influence the global food supply chain.
- Aspire to careers in agribusiness, commodity trading, merchandising or farm and ranch management, where knowledge of market dynamics and risk mitigation is crucial.
- Seek hands-on experience by trading real commodities with actual funds in the state-of-the-art Barker Trading Room, simulating real-world trading environments.
- Desire exposure to industry practices through field trips to cooperatives, marketing centers, export terminals and participation in national trading competitions like the CME Group Trading Challenge.
- Aim to enhance your analytical and communication skills, enabling you to develop and implement hedging strategies, analyze market trends and effectively convey complex concepts to diverse audiences.
Career outcomes
Current job openings
2,778 in ID, WA, OR, MT and HIPotential careers and starting salaries
- Postsecondary Agricultural Sciences Teachers
$48,689 - Agricultural Managers
$15,736 - Farm Product Buyers and Purchasing Agents
$49,107 - Sales Managers
$80,499 - Financial and Investment Analysts
$60,678
* Career data provided by Lightcast.
Financial aid and scholarship opportunities
U of I’s certificate programs are not eligible for financial aid or scholarships on their own. However, students enrolled in a bachelor's or associate degree program may apply their financial aid and scholarships toward a certificate if they are pursuing both simultaneously.
For more information or to explore funding options, contact the Financial Aid Office at finaid@uidaho.edu or call 208-885-6312.
Cattle Drive Scholarship
Our Cattle Drive Scholarship can help you turn your passion into a career with $1,500 in tuition support.
Each year, up to two students receive this scholarship for the fall semester (awarded in the spring). It’s designed specifically for students like you who are committed to understanding and managing the financial risks of agriculture and capital markets.
You may be eligible if you:
- Are a full-time undergraduate in the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences (CALS) or the College of Business and Economics (CBE)
- Are enrolled in either the Agricultural Commodity Risk Management Certificate (CALS) or the Trading and Capital Management Certificate (CBE)
- Have a minimum GPA of 2.5 and are in good academic standing
- Show a strong interest in commodity risk management and trading
To get started or learn more, contact Andres Trujillo-Barrera at aatrujillo@uidaho.edu.
Clubs and involvement opportunities
Hands-on learning
As a program participant, you’ll have access to the cutting-edge Barker Trading Room, designed to replicate an open trading floor environment.
You’ll also have the chance to engage in regional and national academic competitions related to commodity markets to further your practical trading experience. These include the Barker Trading Competition, the CME Group Trading Challenge and the ThinkorSwim (TOS) Challenge.
Application information
Admission criteria for undergraduate certificates are the same as those for U of I undergraduate degree programs. View our admission requirements on our Admissions website to learn more.
Undergraduate certificate application process
Students interested in adding a certificate to their bachelor’s or associate degree program should speak with their academic advisor.
Students interested in earning an undergraduate certificate as a standalone program should contact the Admissions Office at 208-885-6326 for information on how to apply.