72 Credits AAS3126, Academic Catalog 2025-2026
Resources
The Agribusiness Office Specialist/Manager program prepares students with the understanding, knowledge and skills to manage or staff a modern farm or agribusiness firm office. The program provides specific office skills necessary to function in an agribusiness office setting, as well as the agricultural background to work with producers and customers.
Campus: North Mankato
Program Start Semesters: Fall and Spring
Base estimate for 72 credit program
Tuition is paid on a semester by semester basis and will vary depending on the courses and total credits you take.
Tuition and Fees: $15,440
Tools and Equipment: $ n/a
Total Estimated Cost: $15,440 *
and you'll see that tuition at 色中色 is much more affordable than other institutions.
*Based on 2025-2026 tuition and fees rates. Does not include extra expenses for online delivery, course fees, or course differential. Books, transportation, and living expenses also not included.
The course requirements listed below are specific to the current school year (noted above). If you need to view the program from previous years view our Catalog Archive.
Required Technical Courses (15 Courses)
Complete the following courses:
AGBS1100 Agricultural Selling Skills (3 credits)
This course covers the basic and advanced principles and techniques used in selling agricultural merchandise and services. Agricultural Sales has taken on increased importance in recent years. The introduction of new products and services has magnified the need for technically competent knowledgeable sales personnel. Role-playing and advanced, in-depth sales presentations will be done in class. Students will also be required to make an industry visit and write appropriate letters. (Prerequisites: None)
AGBS2150 Agribusiness Financial Management (4 credits)
This course covers major aspects of agribusiness from financial management through financial problem solving, analysis, and planning. Students will apply economic and financial concepts by creating balance sheets, income statements, cash flows, inventory controls, and budgets. Students will have the opportunity to apply what they have learned in a computerized farm supply business simulation. Students will also develop management skills needed to be an effective agribusiness manager. (Prerequisites: AGEC 1100)
AGEC1100 Introduction to Agricultural Economics (3 credits)
This course is an introduction to agricultural economics. Economic concepts of the food, fiber, and fuel industry will be explored though problem solving exercises and graphical analysis. Consumer and business behavior will be analyzed under various market and regulatory conditions, with major focus spent on determining changes to equilibrium of aggregate supply and demand curves. Both microeconomic and macroeconomic factors will be defined and discussed in relation to global and local agribusiness value chains, including many factors affecting farmers in the American Midwest. (Prerequisite: None)
AGRI1850 Employer/Employee Relations (3 credits)
This course covers the principles of supervision and the factors of supervision as they relate to the goals of the business. Supervision problems with practical solutions will be emphasized. Personnel management techniques including determine personnel needs, finding and recruiting people, performance appraisals, training, promotions, legal issues, stress control and terminations will be included. Students will develop an employment portfolio. (Prerequisites: None)
AGRI2700 Agricultural Technology Seminar (2 credits)
This seminar will provide students the opportunity to self-direct studies in agricultural technology in their areas of interest. Technologies to be considered could include but, are not limited to, plant protection, precision farming, application industries, livestock equipment, bio-technologies, financial resource management, sustainable agriculture, environmental impacts of agriculture, agricultural workforce, and agricultural production. Some organized events will be part of this course. The major emphasis will be self-directed learning. (AGEC 2400 or Instructor Permission)
ANSC1100 Livestock Production Principles (3 credits)
This course covers animal production history and economic impact, breed development, animal anatomy and physiology, animal product features, gland and hormone functions, growth and lactation physiology, environmental animal production factors, and animal research. Course will focus on disease prevention and the means required to promote productive livestock production. Some time will be spent on analyzing specific diseases, describing symptoms, and treatment. (Prerequisites: None)
OTEC2800 Office Keyboarding (3 credits)
This course covers the continuing development of keyboarding speed and accuracy. Advanced document formatting, such as letters, tables with special features, templates, labels, mail merges, multi-page reports, columns, etc., will be included. Students will continue to develop proofreading skills as they format documents from straight copy, rough draft, handwritten copy, and arranged and unarranged sources. (Prerequisite: A minimum keyboarding speed of 40 words per minute on a 3-minute timing, with 3 errors or less or advisor approval.)
OTEC2820 Business Communications (3 credits)
This course covers the principles of effective writing and requires students to plan, compose, and format a variety of business communications. Emphasis is on proofreading, editing, and revising communications not just to make them correct but also to make them better. Types of communications may include letters, memos, e-mail, announcements, instructions, form letters, and digital media. Specific letter or memo types may include request and response, claim and adjustment, persuasive, credit and collection, and goodwill communications. Students will learn about letter and envelope formats, international communication differences, and organizational approaches for writing correspondence. Students will learn about words to avoid, transitions, parallel structure, and the you attitude. (Prerequisite: OTEC 1820)
OTEC1820 Business English (3 credits)
This course is designed to provide students with comprehensive, up-to-date instruction in the correct use of English grammar, sentence structure, punctuation, capitalization, abbreviations, and number usage in written business communications. Students will develop proficiency in proofreading, identifying common errors, and using reference materials to correct sentences, paragraphs, and business documents. (Prerequisite: None)
OTEC1822 Microsoft Excel (4 credits)
This course prepares students to work with Microsoft Excel in a career setting or for personal use. It begins with the introduction of concepts such as creating, editing, and formatting worksheets in a uniform, attractive style. It includes inserting formulas, creating charts, and enhancing the display of worksheets of varying complexity. The course will move on to the advanced concepts and features of formatting, using functions, analyzing numerical data, and projecting outcomes to make informed decisions. Features of protecting workbooks, using macros, using pivot tables, and customizing the Excel environment are also included. Current communication needs will be met by including hyperlinks to external information, as well as importing, exporting, and sharing date. (Prerequisite: none)
OTEC1840 Microsoft PowerPoint (3 credits)
This course is designed to build student skill at both a basic and advanced level in Microsoft PowerPoint. It begins with the introduction of concepts such as creating a basic presentation with pictures, shapes, and WordArt, adding media and animation. It continues with the basic skills students need to acquire to use the application proficiently. Once students are proficient at the basic level, the course moves on to the advanced concepts and features such as customizing templates and handouts using masters, developing presentations with content from outside sources, and organizing slides and creating photo albums. (Prerequisites: None)
OTEC1860 Microsoft Word (4 credits)
This course is designed to build student skill at both a basic and advanced level in Microsoft Word. It begins with the introduction of concepts such as file management, entering text, editing, terminology, spelling, and printing. It continues with the basic skills students need to use the application proficiently. Once students are proficient at the basic level, the course moves on to the advanced concepts and features such as macros, merging, and tables. (Prerequisites: None)
OTEC2870 Information Resource Management (3 credits)
This course covers rules and procedures for coding, indexing, filing, and retrieving documents in alphabetical, numeric, geographic, and subject systems. Applications include simulated correspondence filing and card filing using both manual and electronic methods. Students will learn how to use database management software to manage information. Records management topics emphasize records control and retention, final disposition of records, and records management issues and trends. (Prerequisite: None)
SGAG1000 Ag Orientation (1 credits)
Students will become oriented to the careers in agriculture related to the specific filed they plan to enter. Completion of interviews of industry professionals will be required and students will need to write a career plan relating to the path they have been oriented. (Prerequisite: None)
Agribusiness Internship
6 Credits of the following course
AGRI2780 Agribusiness Internship (1 - 9 credits)
This course is a cooperative educational program between the student, faculty and the internship site/business. Students will apply competencies gained from previous coursework into an agribusiness industry workplace. Specific tasks to be completed by the student and will be identified in an individual training plan developed by the student, faculty and internship supervisor. Each training plan is specific to the individual student and business enterprise where the student is employed. (Prerequisite: Instructor Permission)
Technical Electives (6 Credits)
Choose 6 credits from the following courses:
AGBS2990 International Field Study (3 credits)
This international field study seminar introduces students to agricultural, food, and natural resource systems of other countries of the world. The course consists of two major components: a series of pre- and/or post-departure workshops and an in-depth short-term structured international experience within a host country or countries. Students gain global perspective through exposure to international history, cultures, and socio-economic situations of the country or countries visited. Students explore, compare, and contrast food, fiber, and fuel systems of the country or countries visited. (Prerequisites: None)
AGEC2400 Commodity Marketing Principles (3 credits)
This course covers the principles of agricultural commodity marketing, including cash, forward, futures, and options contracts. Economic impacts on supply, demand, and equilibrium pricing for commodities will be explored. Students will participate in simulated marketing transactions and track local and terminal market pricing. (Prerequisite: AGEC 1100)
AGEC2450 Commodity Marketing Strategies (2 credits)
This course covers strategies of commodity marketing of agricultural products. Students will apply marketing principles in various market situations. Students will work with forward contracts, basis contracts, futures contracts, and option strategies in agriculture commodities. Students will develop market plans for agribusiness marketing and input needs. (Prerequisites: AGEC 1100, AGEC 2400)
ANSC2100 Principles of Animal Nutrition (3 credits)
This course provides basic information about the fundamentals of nutrition and the essential nutritional requirements of livestock. Units of instruction will include: nutrients and digestion, evaluating feedstuffs, characteristics of feedstuffs, processing techniques of various feeds, feed formulations, commercial feeds and feed additives. This course includes the discussion of the feeding practices of swine, cattle, poultry, and equine. (Prerequisites: None)
OTEC2810 Computer Technology (3 credits)
This course provides computer technical information that goes beyond the basics for college educated students. It covers not only hardware and software but the new, emerging technology trends that affect computing and everyday life. Topics such as networks, data security, personal privacy, online safety, digital rights, and Internet usage will be addressed. There will be an emphasis on social and ethical issues for thought-provoking course discussions. (Prerequisite: None)
OTEC2830 Microsoft Publisher (3 credits)
Students will integrate word processing, graphics, and manipulate text graphics to produce professional quality publications. The topics covered are most useful to the student who has prior word processing experience and who needs to understand page compositions and typography for the purpose of preparing documents with flair. The course introduces the concepts, terminology, techniques, and applications of desktop publishing. Design concepts are limited to those useful in business applications and are not intended to present a "graphics/commercial art" focus. The emphasis will be on developing proficiency, preparing applications-based projects, and mastery of the software. Microsoft Publisher 2013: Complete is intended for a first course on Publisher 2013. No experience with a computer is assumed, and no mathematics beyond the high school freshman level is required. (Prerequisites: None)
OTEC2901 Employment Portfolio (2-3 credits)
This course will focus on developing knowledge that will serve as a foundation for the student's employment search process by assisting in developing successful marketing strategies for employment. Students will create distinctive portfolios to assist in their career search. This course is open to all majors but is a required capstone course for the Office Administration and Technology program. Recommended as a final semester course to prepare students to start the employment search process upon graduation (Required as a final semester course for Office Administration and Technology program students). (Prerequisites: none) Variable credits depending on degree/program: Office Administration and Technology AAS degree/program: 3 credits. All other degrees/programs: 2 credits
PLSC1100 Soils I (3 credits)
This course has a lecture and a lab component. Areas of study will include the physical properties, chemical properties, biological properties, soil formation, classification, essential nutrient and soil survey. There will be emphasis on soil and water conservation and practices that can be used to reduce soil erosion. Evaluations of soil samples will be conducted in the agribusiness lab and in the field. (Prerequisites: None)
PLSC1205 Precision Agriculture (3 credits)
This course covers the basics of precision agriculture high-tech equipment and strategies. Students will gain an understanding of the hardware, software, and management strategies of precision agriculture. Areas of study will include Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Global Positioning Systems (GPS), remote sensing, differential correction, yield monitoring, and grid mapping. (Prerequisite: None)
PLSC1300 Agronomy I (2 credits)
This course covers agronomy principles for midwest crops. The course covers basic components of plant growth, seed quality, plant parts, plant growth and development, plant classification, maturity systems and seeding rates. Corn and soybean production will be major crops of consideration. (Prerequisites: None)
Required Arts and Sciences (3 Courses)
To complete an AAS Degree, students must complete 15 MnTC credits from 3 of the 10 MNTC Goal Areas. The following course is required:
COMM140 Interpersonal Communication (3 credits)
In this class, participants will examine key components of interpersonal communication theory, identify the interpersonal communication skills necessary for healthy relationships, assess their own interpersonal communication effectiveness, and practice and hone interpersonal communication skills necessary for healthy home and work relationships. This course will also address relevant issues of social interaction, including how human diversity/culture (age, race, gender, etc.) affects our interpersonal communication. (Prerequisites: Must have a Next-Generation Accuplacer Reading score of 250 or higher, or Classic Accuplacer Reading score of 78 or higher, or completion of either READ 0090 or EAP 0090 or READ 0095 with a grade of C (2.0) or higher, or ACT Reading score of 21 or higher or MCA Reading score of 1047 or higher.) (MNTC 1: Communication)
Elective Arts and Sciences
Select 12 additional MnTC credits in goals 2-10. Courses must be selected in consultation with advisor/faculty.
PLEASE NOTE: All program plans are preliminary and curriculum may change without notice. Your catalog of record may have different requirements.
