Mar 28, 2024  
2017-2018 Course Catalog 
    
2017-2018 Course Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Agribusiness- Sustainable Agriculture


The Sustainable Agriculture certificate provides students who have limited knowledge about the agricultural industry with an introduction to the industry and the concepts of sustainability in agriculture. Upon completion, the successful candidate will be able to utilize general knowledge and information about their selected emphasis to explore the impact of traditional agricultural production and incorporate current trends as a model for the future.

For more information about the Agribusiness-Sustainable Agriculture certificate, please visit our website at www.dmacc.edu/programs/ag.

Program Details


Location: Ankeny


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-Sustainable Agriculture certificate, complete all course work as prescribed and maintain a 2.0 grade point average.

Semester 1


Required Course(s)


Total Credits Required to Complete this Certificate - 20


These credits are applicable to the AAS degree in Agribusiness .

Fixed Costs


Tuition……………………………………………………………………………………..$151.00 per credit

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

Varied Costs


Costs Semester 1 Semester 2 Semester 3
Books (approximate) 305 205 80
Educational Seminars, Field Trips 55 55 55

Approximate total for the program: $3,775**

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

What Kind of Work Will You Do?


  • Transfer knowledge of products and their uses to customers.
  • Advise crop 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.
  • Perform “housekeeping” chores to keep the work environment neat and orderly.
  • Attend conferences and meetings and read various trade publications to keep current on the evelopments in the industry.

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 enterprise budgets, nutrition formulations and marketing activities.
  • Understand technical information about the industry and communicate 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 industry is so broad that students will have the opportunity to participate in the area of most interest.
  • The primary purpose of this certificate is for preparation to work in the agronomic industry.
  • You will 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 for those not directly involved in their own entrepreneurial enterprise is approximately $25,000.

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 6, Ankeny, IA  50023, phone 515/964-6574, dkmckittrick@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.).(2017)