Agricultural Entrepreneurship

Dr. Philip Schroeder, Department Chair and Program Coordinator
Email Address: schroepd@alfredstate.edu

The Bachelor of Technology in agricultural entrepreneurship (AE-BT) program is designed to provide you, tomorrow’s agricultural entrepreneurs, with the skills to make local agriculture economically viable through the application of traditional production practices and the development of value-added (VA) products. You will take production courses to build a strong foundation in agriculture, value-added courses to develop non-traditional agriculture skills, and business courses to understand marketing and financial management.

This program will appeal to both traditional agriculture students who come from a farm background and to students who are new to agriculture. This program will prepare students to be successful in their efforts to improve the profitability of an existing farm or start a new agricultural venture.

ADVANTAGES

• Our graduates have the technical knowledge of agricultural production practices, land and water resources, management, and agricultural markets necessary to enter nearly any facet of the agribusiness field.
• Our students have hands-on experience with modern automated agricultural production systems, organic farming methods, and value added agriculture.
• Our students have the opportunity to work on the college farm and learn first-hand how to manage multiple species in modern high-tech facilities.
• Our students also learn the application of fundamental business management skills to agriculture.

RELATED CLUBS AND ACTIVITIES

Students have the opportunity to participate in the Collegiate Agricultural Leaders (CAL) Club, Collegiate FFA, Equestrian Club, Dairy Judging Team, Agricultural Skills Day, Spring Fling Consignment Sale, Community-Supported Agriculture projects, local foods projects, showmanship contests, and Sustainability Club.

OCCUPATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES

• Management or ownership of commercial farms
• Agricultural credit officers for banks, government, loan agencies, and farm cooperative loan agencies.
• High school agriculture teacher/agriculture educator
• Writers of technical publications, radio and TV scripts, news items for magazines and newspapers, education and public relations materials
• Manager/assistant managers of farm supply stores
• Warehouse managers for farm chemicals, feed, seed, and fertilizers
• Chain store and retail food management
• Agricultural consulting services
• Ag education
• Cooperative Extension

EMPLOYMENT STATISTICS

Employment adn continuing education rate of 100 percent - 100% are employed; 0% continued their education.

RELATED PROGRAMS

Agricultural Technology
Agricultural Business
Agricultural Automation and Robotics

ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS/RECOMMENDATIONS

• Required: Algebra, Geometry, Biology

A typical day consists of two, one-hour lectures and a two-hour studio in the first and second years. At the junior and senior levels, three-hour studios are required.

Office of Accessibility Services

Students who believe they need a reasonable accommodation to properly participate in this program may contact Melanie Ryan in the Office of Accessibility Services. This office may be contacted by email at oas@alfredstate.edu  or by phone at 607-587-4506. Please keep in mind that some accommodations may take time to implement, so students seeking accommodations are encouraged to contact OAS as early as possible.