Mar 28, 2024  
2018-2019 Course Catalog 
    
2018-2019 Course Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Agribusiness, AAS


The Agribusiness program is designed to prepare students for the rapidly expanding food, fiber and natural resources industry. Students are given an option of emphasizing agronomy, animal science, farm management or agricultural supply and service.

This program provides the student with training in the latest developments in technical agriculture in both the classroom and industry settings. The program also includes on-the-job employment experience in the industry. Classroom and laboratory instruction will occur at the Dallas County Farm location, where the program maintains a crop and livestock operation.

Students who receive the Agribusiness degree are capable of filling entry-level jobs as an agronomist, livestock specialist, grain or petroleum marketing specialist. Other job opportunities may be found within the seed, chemical, banking and commodity brokerage industry.

Students with a production agricultural interest will benefit from the broad-based approach the degree provides for an ever-changing industry. The Agribusiness degree has been designed for those who may enter production agriculture or find employment as a farm management specialist.

The Agribusiness degree offers students transfer opportunities to several four-year institutions. Students should visit with program instructors and counselors for information regarding transfer to four-year institutions and their specific program requirements. For more information about the Agribusiness program, please visit our website at www.dmacc.edu/programs/ag.

Program Details


Location: Ankeny


Selected courses in this program are offered at other campuses.

Students may start any semester.


Program Entry Requirements


  1. Complete an application for admission.
  2. Satisfy the assessment requirement.
  3. Attend any required information/registration session.

Graduation Requirements


To earn an Agribusiness AAS degree, students must complete all coursework as prescribed and maintain a 2.0 grade point average.

Option 1 - Select 1 Course


Semester 3


Semester 4


Option 4 - Select 1 Course


Semester 5


Total Credits Required to Complete this AAS Degree - 72*


*Total credits are calculated using the least number of credits needed to satisfy the option requirements.

Fixed Costs


Tuition……………………………………………………………………………………..$156.00 per credit

The costs for each program are estimates and subject to change.

Varied Costs


  Semester 1 Semester 2 Semester 3 Semester 4 Semester 5
Books (approximate) 305 205 80 305 205
Field Trips  55  55  55  35  55

Approximate total for program: $12,587**

**Program entry requirements are not included in the total approximate cost.

What Kind of Work Will You Do?


  • Transfer knowledge on products and their uses to customers.
  • Advise agricultural producers on the special problems they have and the most economical ways of solving them.
  • Perform calculations for cost estimates, tests and formulas.
  • Operate and maintain a variety of equipment.
  • Solicit additional business.
  • Arrange product displays and develop promotional campaigns.
  • Perform “housekeeping” chores to keep the work environment neat and orderly.
  • Attend conferences and meetings and read various trade publications to keep current on developments in the field.
  • Transfer knowledge on products and their uses to customers.
  • Advise agricultural producers on the special problems they have and the most economical ways of solving them.
  • Perform calculations for cost estimates, tests and formulas.
  • Operate and maintain a variety of equipment.
  • Solicit additional business.
  • Arrange product displays and develop promotional campaigns.
  • Perform “housekeeping” chores to keep the work environment neat and orderly.
  • Attend conferences and meetings and read various trade publications to keep current on developments in the field.

What Skills and Abilities Will You Need?


  • Operate agricultural equipment.
  • Exhibit good attitude toward the job.
  • Work well with customers and other employees.
  • Manage, lead and train others.
  • Follow verbal and written directions.
  • Plan and organize well.
  • Use math in figuring prices and profits and filling orders.
  • Understand technical product information and communicate it to others.
  • Perform a variety of physically demanding activities such as heavy lifting (50 pounds or more).

What Else Should I Consider about this Program or Career Choice?


  • The field is so broad that students may have difficulty determining their area of interest.
  • Visit your local ag supply outlet for more information.
  • The primary purpose of the program is for the sale, distribution, supply and service of agricultural supplies, or those entering production agriculture.
  • You often have a lot of responsibility and work with little supervision.
  • The work can be dirty, unpleasant at times and sometimes dangerous.
  • The field changes rapidly and the job you will have 10 years from now may not exist today.
  • You work long hours when necessary including nights, weekends and holidays.
  • Average starting salary $40,000 (2014-2015 Placement Report)

Program Competencies


This Program will..

  1. Explain the importance of the role of each worker in producing food and fiber.
  2. Communicate knowledge of products and their uses to customers.
  3. Demonstrate the ability to work well with customers and other employees.
  4. Demonstrate the ability to advise agricultural producers on the special problems they have and the most economical way of solving them.
  5. Perform calculations for cost estimates, tests, and formulas.
  6. Demonstrate an understanding of technical information and communicate it to others.
  7. Demonstrate the ability to use and operate a variety of agricultural equipment.
  8. Demonstrate the workplace basic skills of listening, writing, computing, problem-solving, interpersonal relationships and leadership.
  9. Develop the ability and skill to manage, lead, and train others.
  10. Demonstrate the ability to work in a safe and productive manner.
  11. Utilize conferences and meetings, and read various trade publications to keep current on developments in the field.
  12. Explain the importance of the role of each worker in producing food and fiber.
  13. Communicate knowledge of products and their uses to customers.
  14. Demonstrate the ability to work well with customers and other employees.
  15. Demonstrate the ability to advise agricultural producers on the special problems they have and the most economical way of solving them.
  16. Perform calculations for cost estimates, tests, and formulas.
  17. Demonstrate an understanding of technical information and communicate it to others.
  18. Demonstrate the ability to use and operate a variety of agricultural equipment.
  19. Demonstrate the workplace basic skills of listening, writing, computing, problem-solving, interpersonal relationships and leadership.
  20. Develop the ability and skill to manage, lead, and train others.
  21. Demonstrate the ability to work in a safe and productive manner.
  22. Utilize conferences and meetings, and read various trade publications to keep current on developments in the field.

Nondiscrimination Statement


DMACC offers career and technical programs in the following areas of study:

Agriculture, National & Environmental Services /Architecture, Engineering, and Construction/Arts, Design, and Visual communications/Business, Management, and Marketing/Education, Public, and Human Services/Health Science/Hospitality and Culinary/Information Technology/Manufacturing/Transportation & Logistics

Des Moines Area Community College shall not engage in nor allow discrimination covered by law against any person, group or organization. This includes in its programs, activities, employment practices, hiring practices or the provision of services, and harassment or discrimination based on race, color, national origin, creed, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity, age (in employment), disability, genetic information (in employment) and actual or potential parental, family or marital status of a person. Veteran status in educational programs, activities, employment practices, or admission procedures is also included to the extent covered by law.

Individuals who believe they have been discriminated against may file a complaint through the College Discrimination Complaint Procedure. Complaint forms may be obtained from the Campus Provost’s office, the Academic Deans’ office, the Judicial Officer, or the EEO/AA Officer, Human Resources. ADA questions and concerns may be directed to the Section 504/ADA Coordinator at 2006 S. Ankeny Blvd, Bldg 6, Ankeny, IA  50023, phone 515/964-6857, sgbittner@dmacc.edu.  Title IX questions and concerns may be directed to the Title IX Coordinator at 2006 S. Ankeny Blvd, Bldg 1, Ankeny, IA  50023, phone 515/964-6216, title9@dmacc.edu.  Question or complaints about this policy may be directed to the Director of the Office for Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Education, Citigroup Center, 500 W. Madison, Suite 1475, Chicago, IL 60661, phone 312/730-1560, tax 312/730-1576..

Legal references: Iowa Code §§ 216.6 and 216.9, Titles VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (42 U.S. C. §§ 2000d and 2000e), the Equal Pay Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. § 206, et seq.), Title IX (Educational Amendments, 20 U.S. C. §§ 1681-1688), Section 504 (Rehabilitation Act of 1973, 29 U.S. C. § 794), and Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (42 U.S.C. § 12101, et seq.).(2018)