Agricultural and Food Sciences
As you explore Agricultural and Food Science programs, consider these highlights:
- Riverland supports 450 farm families enrolled in the Farm Business Management program to reach their financial goals
- Riverland created an innovation lab for Hormel Foods
- Riverland offers student internships in soil health with Mower County’s Soil and Water Conservation Districts (SWCD).
- Riverland is beta testing sustainable seeds and soil practices for local farmers
- Riverland programs agriculture and food science courses in the high schools for college credit
- Riverland is Creating a New History for Agriculture and Food Science Technology (PDF)
Agriculture is the backbone of America’s economy and food base. Combining the arts of science with practicality, agriculture includes the many components of cultivating the soil, growing and livestock, and providing products that feed, fuel, and cloth the world. In Minnesota, agricultural production provides close to $57.5 billion in revenue while supporting 147,000 jobs. In terms of scale, Minnesota ranks 5th in the nation in agricultural production and eight in livestock production.
As a Riverland Community College Agricultural Sciences student, you will learn how to feed the world. Our programs fully integrate the concepts of crops, animals, weeds, precision agriculture, sustainable agriculture, natural resource management, and plant breeding and genetics.
Is This Program Right For You?
This would be a great program if you:
- Like learning more about agriculture, science, and natural resources
- Have a desire for exploring conservation and sustainable agriculture
- Want to use computers and precision farming technological tools
- Enjoy working with numbers, financials, and record-keeping
- Are interested in producing new nutritious foods in a safe manner
- Are currently involved in 4-H, FFA, or another agricultural activity
- Download Brochure (PDF) | Center for Agriculture and Food Science Technology Presentation
The many degrees and certificates offered at Riverland Community College will allow you to begin your career in this exciting field, forge unique relationships with our many industry partners, and allow you to easily transfer to a four-year institution of your choice or enter the growing demand for qualified agricultural leaders!
Facilities
Riverland Community College is home to the Center for Agriculture and Food Science Technology space, the Agricultural Science classroom, and a state-of-the-art research collaboration farm “Sustainable Answer Acre” near Lansing, Minnesota.
Career Opportunities
Whether your preference is working in an office, tractor, laboratory, and in a rapidly expanding environment, you are sure to find a career of your dreams in agriculture! Many students and graduates of our programs pursue careers in the following fields:
- Agricultural Economics
- Animal Science
- Precision Agriculture
- Natural Resources
- Agricultural Engineering
- Agricultural Systems Technology
For careers, our Agricultural Science students and majors receive jobs as an:
- Crop Applicator
- Grain Merchandiser
- Swine/Cattle Farm Manager
- Agricultural Service Technician
- Crop/plant/animal/machine research
- Fertilizer, seed, chemical, and equipment sales
In the News
View news articles that have highlighted the commendable achievements and advancements in the Agricultural and Food Sciences programs at Riverland Community College.
The Agricultural and Food Science faculty includes:
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Nick Schiltz |
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Okechukwu Ukaga |