Agribusiness Science & Technology

Associate in Applied Science (AAS)
Agriculture-Food-and-Natural-Resources-Cluster-Icon

Why choose Agribusiness Science & Technology?

  • One out of every 9 jobs in Wisconsin is related to agriculture.
  • Wisconsin boasts 400 different types of agriculture jobs using high-tech equipment to solve problems and put food on family tables.
  • Interested in earning a bachelor’s degree? For transfer opportunities, visit mstc.edu/transfer.
Agriculture is a dynamic and challenging industry made possible by highly trained individuals. Agriculture professionals use their skills to improve the productivity and profitability of food production for the benefit of society, and many are needed to service this ever-changing field.

Program Locations

Marshfield Campus
2600 West 5th Street
Marshfield, WI 54449

Wisconsin Rapids Campus
500 32nd Street North
Wisconsin Rapids, WI 54494

What You'll Learn

Mid-State’s Agribusiness Science & Technology program prepares students to be owners or employees of a farm business in all sectors of the agriculture industry or work in businesses that support the agriculture industry. The program includes dairy and livestock management and traditional crop production.

You’ll learn to develop a nutrient management plan, calculate cost of production, and develop a long-term facility and equipment plan as well as a farm business plan. Hands-on experiences include taking soil samples; identifying diseases, insects, and weeds that impact profitability; and working with livestock nutrition and management. Graduates may obtain a private pesticide applicators certificate.

Outcomes

  • Create a crop management plan.
  • Develop an agribusiness management plan.
  • Apply economic and marketing strategies to agribusiness industry.
  • Apply relevant technologies.
  • Create a livestock management plan.
  • Investigate opportunities in agribusiness.
  • Interact as a professional in agribusiness.

Employability Skills

  • Behave Responsibly:  Ethical Behavior, Self-Responsibility, Conflict Resolution, Collaboration
  • Communicate Effectively: Writing, Technical Documentation, Listening, Speaking, Interpersonal Communication, Reading
  • Critical & Creative Thinking: Inquiry, Evidence Collection, Analysis, Reasoning, Reflection (Metacognition)
  • Cultural, Social, & Global Awareness: Global Awareness, Social & Cultural Awareness, Social Responsibility
  • Use Appropriate Technology: Use of Technology, Confidentiality, Security, Digital Civility

Learn more about employability skills at Mid-State.

Estimated Entire Program Cost

Cost based on the 2024/25 academic year.

  • Tuition & Fees: $10,065.67
  • Books: $1,065.30
  • Supplies, Uniforms, and/or Exams: $0
  • Total Estimated Cost: $11,130.97

Financial Aid Eligibility

This program is eligible for full Financial Aid

Cost of Attendance

Learn more about Cost of Attendance, an estimated budget that includes categories of expenses a student can expect to incur while attending. 

This course has options available to receive credit for prior learning (CPL) or work experience.

Term: 1
  Catalog# Title Credits
  10080105 Intro to Soil Science 3
  10093101 Integrated Pest Management  2
  10006105 Agribusiness Financial Analysis 2
  10804107 College Mathematics  3
-or- 10804118 Intermediate Algebra with Applications  4
  10091102 Intro to Animal Science 3
  Term Total   13-14 Credits
       
Term: 2
  Catalog# Title Credits
  10070103 Basic Agriculture Electrical, Mechanical, and Irrigation 3
  10093102 Intro to Precision Agriculture 3
  10806114 General Biology 4
  10091103 Animal Nutrition 4
  10801195 Written Communication  3
-or- 10801136 English Composition 1  3
  Term Total   17 Credits
       
Term: 3
  Catalog# Title Credits
  10090101 Agriculture Business Management 3
  10093104 Principles of Crop Management 3
  10006104 Intro to Agriculture Engineering Technology 3
  10801196 Oral/Interpersonal Communication  3
-or- 10801198 Speech  3
  10006007 Agriculture Internship 2
-or- 10006110 Agriculture Capstone 2
  Term Total   14 Credits
       
Term: 4
  Catalog# Title Credits
  10006101 Agricultural Computations 3
  10809166 Introduction to Ethics: Theory and Application  3
  10809198 Introduction to Psychology  3
-or- 10809188 Developmental Psychology  3
  10003101 Agricultural Diesel Engine Systems 3
  10006102 Agribusiness Equipment and Facilities 2
  10006103 Introduction to Food Science 3
  Term Total   17 Credits
       
  Program Total   61-62 Credits

Instructors

TERI RAATZ, BS

Teri holds a BS in agricultural education from UW-River Falls. Her love agriculture started in childhood—she grew up on a diversified livestock farm and showed/owned registered dairy cattle. Prior to her 12 years of teaching at Mid-State, Teri taught middle school and high school agriculture for six years. She has also worked at Wisconsin's first ethanol plant in Stanley, Wisconsin, where she was involved in grading and purchasing corn. Teri is actively involved in the Colby FFA Alumni and Supporters, volunteers with the Clark County 4-H, and serves as advisor for the Clark County Jr Holstein Association, and her family owns a small herd of registered dairy cattle that her kids show across the state. She also serves as a member of the City of Colby Board of Appeals. 

“I am passionate about all areas of agriculture and bring vast experience in agriculture into the classroom. I enjoy teaching students about the many opportunities available today in the world of agriculture.”

Careers

  • Agronomy Technician
  • Herdsperson
  • Production Agriculture Manager
  • Agricultural Manager
  • Agriculture Operations Specialist
  • Agriculture Sales and Service
  • Agronomist Assistant 
  • Dairy Equipment Service Technician
  • Fertilizer and Chemical Applicator
  • Field Crop Scout
  • Grain Operator
  • Livestock Breeder
  • Mill Production Operator
  • Nutrient Management Plan Developer
  • Plant Manager
  • Production Agriculturalist
  • Production Agriculture Manager

Video

Fast-Track

High school students are eligible to enroll in this program and all courses required. Learn more about Mid-State Fast-Track.

"I didn’t want to move away from the home farm. I’m a fifth-generation farmer… I wanted to live at home, come to school at Mid-State, and bring home the things I would learn every day to my work on the farm.”

MATTHEW TYLER
GRADUATE

Choose Your Path

Career pathways help you take your education one step at a time to maximize your investment and make college fit your life. Earn a credential and start using it in the workforce. Continue with another stack of related courses to gain a more advanced diploma or degree. Explore this program’s pathway in the graphic below. For an even quicker first step to a degree or diploma, check out our short-term certificates.

TransferDual CreditCredit for Prior Learning

Agribusiness Science & Technology Program Pathway