16 Credits CERT3136, Academic Catalog 2025-2026
Resources
With a growing demand by customers to purchase food produced locally, the Sustainable Microfarming certificate program, includes all operational aspects of a small farm to fork business model. This is a unique opportunity to learn about high tunnel production, alternative agriculture methods and selling the food you produce.
Campus: North Mankato
Program Start Semesters: Fall and Spring
Base estimate for 16 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: $3,285
Tools and Equipment: $ n/a
Total Estimated Cost: $3,285 *
and you'll see that tuition at 色中色 is much more affordable than other institutions.
*Based on 2024-2025 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 (4 Courses )
Complete the following courses:
AGRI1810 Intro to Sustainable Microfarming (1 credits)
This class is designed for individuals to enter agribusiness careers related to the growing demand by customers to purchase food produced locally. These operations tend to produce, manage, and market agricultural commodities differently than traditional agriculture models but have a tremendous potential in the new consumer marketplace. Students will be involved in all aspects of operation for a small farm to fork business model. Using a high tunnel as the form of production, this course will follow the growth process of vegetables on a local scale. Students will look at the ability to farm on a small scale, focusing on locally grown crops. They will evaluate the market for and ability to maintain production practices within a microfarming practice. (Prerequisite: None)
AGEC2650 Alternative Agriculture and Direct Marketing (3 credits)
One of the changes taking place in agriculture is an increasing interest in the production of alternative crop and animal enterprises. This class will examine and evaluate those enterprises. A look at the profitability, marketing and risks of producing a alternative product as well as the resources and information available to assist in developing a plan to produce an alternative product. The opportunities to produce a value-added product will be studied. A close look will be taken of producers currently raising and marketing alternative agriculture products.We will also examine the current factors driving the movement towards local foods and alternative enterprises. (Prerequisites: None)
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)
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)
Required Agribusiness Internship (4 Credits )
The internship experience is broken up over three semesters with 2 credits taken during the summer semester.
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 Elective Credits (4 Credits )
Complete 4 credits from any of these courses
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)
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)
AGEC1200 Principles of Farm Records (3 credits)
This course covers types of records, setup and use of accounts through computerization of farm information. Discussion of the types of record keeping systems will be covered, a review of various record keeping systems and tools used to input, analyze and utilize the information from the farm business activity. Selection and implementation of a record keeping program will be required. Students will initiate records on a current farming operation. (Prerequisite: None)
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)
ANSC1200 Livestock Lab (2 credits)
This course is designed to teach the fundamental principles of livestock genetics in a practical manner. The course deals with the physiology of reproduction and application of genetics for improvement of the livestock herd. Livestock selection materials and methods of live animal and carcass evaluation will be conducted. Subjective and objective evaluation methods and measurements will be included. (Prerequisites: None)
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)
MEAG1500 Facility Maintenance (3 credits)
This course covers...farm and residential electrical wiring. Practical 120/240 volt circuit wiring, electrical safety, device selection, installation methods, grounding, bonding and service entrance panels included. Students will be wiring circuits according to code. Plumbing processes of Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) and copper will be included. Another component of this class includes; OxyAcetylene welding, gas torch and/or plasma cutting and several forms of Arc welding. Students will spend time in the welding lab completing the required welds. Electrical and welding safety will be stressed. (Prerequisites: None).
MEAG1610 Ag Equipment Maintenance (3 credits)
This course covers basic harvesting, tillage and planting equipment. The student will learn all component parts and proper adjustments of equipment. Machine adjustment may be accomplished on demonstration units, operator manual examples, actual equipment or field trips. In the machinery operation, set-up, and reconditioning portion, the student identifies preventative maintenance, set-up and reconditioning procedures, follows the set-up and operators manual, uses a check sheet and torque chart. (Prerequisites: None)
MEAG1700 Agricultural Industry Machinery Maintenance (3 credits)
This course covers theory and service competencies necessary to maintain small engines, gasoline-powered vehicles, and diesel-powered vehicles. Students will gain an awareness of equipment maintenance programs. The course includes field trips and instruction in maintaining equipment found in feed mills, fertilizer plants, and grain elevators. The course will also cover tillage, crop protection and planting equipment. Students will learn all component parts and proper adjustment of the particular units. Machine adjustment maybe accomplished on demonstration units, operator manual examples or on actual industry equipment. The course will also cover chemical, fertilizer, pesticide handling considerations. (Prerequisites: None)
MEAG2200 Planning Farmstead Environments (3 credits)
This course covers farm building materials and methods of construction. Farmstead planning concepts are examined and applied to the student's home farm situation. Design and drawing of various types of farm buildings are included. The storing, drying, processing and handling of grain and feed are included. Ventilation of livestock buildings and animal waste management is emphasized. Students will gain experience in sizing and selecting equipment for agricultural materials handling applications. (Prerequisite: None)
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)
PLSC1105 Forages and Pasture Management (2 credits)
This course includes the study of the management and production of small grains and forages. Subject areas will include varietal selection, planting, calculating yields, production costs, growth management, harvesting techniques and marketing techniques. The forage management will focus on alfalfa production, emphasis on establishment, winter survival, fertilization, cutting management and variety selection. (Prerequisites: None)
PLSC1200 Soils II (3 credits)
This course covers both the technical and practical information that should be of assistance to a student who would farm or go into the fertilizer business. The course deals with the basic soil-plant relationships and the effects of fertility. Detailed information on fertilizer materials and the information of test results will also be covered. Students will put into practice many of the cropping practices that are required by someone pursuing a career in the fertilizer and/or chemical field. Students will determine the proper rates and application methods. (Prerequisites: PLSC 1100)
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)
PLSC1400 Agronomy II (3 credits)
This course considers the characteristics and identification of noxious and common weeds and weed seeds, methods of control, evaluation of herbicide performance and tolerance to herbicides. Topics on herbicide characteristics, formulations and application methods will be taken into account in determining the most economic method of weed control. (Prerequisite: PLSC 1300)
PLSC2700 Advanced Agronomy (3 credits)
This course includes units of instruction on management practices in the production of corn & soybeans, the economic and environmental aspects of soil damage systems, nutrient management recommendations for nitrogen and phosphorus, and current topics in the agronomy field. Classes will include speakers from the agricultural industry to address the current topics. The lab portion of the course will include grading corn and soybean samples as well on labs as plant genetics.(Prerequisites: PLSC 1300 and PLSC 1400)
VITI1111 Introduction to Viticulture and Vineyard (3 credits)
This course is designed to introduce students to current practices for establishing a commercial vineyard and maintaining its health and productivity once established. Topics covered include varietal selection, site preparation, equipment, site selection, first season establishment, vine growth development and training, trellis systems, vine propagation, weed control and vine disease control. Field practicum sessions consisting of 32 hours of hands-on experience will be scheduled in area vineyards. (Prerequisites: None)
VITI1213 Regional Vineyard Management (2 credits)
This course is a general survey of vineyard management in the general wine growing regions in the Continental United States. The course covers management of the mature vineyard from region to region and builds on the topics covered prerequisite courses. (Prerequisites: VITI 1111 and one of the following VITI 1113, VITI 1114, VITI 1115)
PLEASE NOTE: All program plans are preliminary and curriculum may change without notice. Your catalog of record may have different requirements.
