Agriculture

As an agriculture major you’ll take Core Program courses that lay a foundation upon which to build your career. Courses in the natural sciences, humanities, and social sciences will help you develop a comprehensive view of agriculture, regardless of your program emphasis.

There are many different opportunities within the agriculture program, including participating in hands-on labs, working at the Agriculture Stewardship Center (ASC), and internships available locally, nationally, and internationally.

To learn more, you can also view the program strengths and learning outcomes for this program.

Dordt’s agriculture graduates have been readily accepted into graduate schools, and our pre-veterinary graduates have earned the respect of faculty in veterinary schools across the United States and Canada.

Our graduates enter careers not only in farming and technical service support but in government, finance, community development, and much more.

Students looking to get a degree in agriculture will take classes about a variety of topics such as plant science, farm business management, and care of domestic animals. These classes include at least four credit hours of lab work, first aid and CPR training, and a senior capstone project. In addition, each student will choose an emphasis with additional classes in their area of interest.

Take classes that will help you gain expertise in plant and animal science. Develop hands-on skills in a facility with leading technology and advancements for farm operations. Network with industry experts to gain great connections for your future in agriculture.

Core Courses

• Biology, Care, and Production of Domestic Animals: History, management, physiology, breeding, lactation, feeding, health, and products of cattle, swine, sheep, poultry, companion animals, and other species as they relate to humans and the creation. Three lectures and one three-hour laboratory period per week.
• Orientation and Agricultural Safety: Classroom discussion, lecture, and practical experience are used to familiarize the students with the Agriculture Department, Agricultural Stewardship Center (ASC), and the greenhouse to develop understanding and competency in operating equipment at the ASC and classroom labs. Students will receive instruction in agricultural safety to develop an understanding and competency in the areas of current agricultural production practices and safety procedures. Students will be certified in CPR and complete first aid training. The course meets for seven weeks. Two lectures and one three-hour laboratory per week.
• Introduction to Plant Science: Students will study plants, their care and use within agroecosystems, as well as their role in creation. Students will be introduced to how agriculture both influences and is influenced by human cultural development, how humankind’s understanding of stewardship influences creation care, and how plants serve as sources of food, fiber, fuel, and fascination. Plant biology concepts including plant structure and function, growth, development and reproduction, and plant/environment interactions will be introduced. The course will demonstrate how these biotic and environmental factors integrate with plant biotechnology, crop breeding and propagation, protection, cropping systems, and crop economics and utilization. Three lectures and one three-hour laboratory per week.
• Introduction to Farm Business Management and Accounting: The study of the principles, financial statements, and analyses of farm business data using actual farm data and scenarios. Topics include decision making processes, whole business planning, goal setting, record keeping, balance sheets, budgeting, cash flow statements, income statements, budgeting, balance sheets, income statements, cash flow statements, investment analysis, tax planning and risk analysis. Three lectures and one three-hour laboratory per week.
• Perspectives in Agricultural Policy: Worldviews relating to contemporary agriculture systems are discussed. In addition to examining historical policies, the participating stakeholder groups and development of domestic and international agricultural policies are also studied. Several views on these topics are
  examined and a reformed perspective is developed. Two lectures and a one-hour small group discussion period per week.
• Agriculture Senior Seminar: An integration of departmental courses, research, and analysis of current topics with emphasis on Christian perspective for persons involved in agriculture. Issues will include government policies, world hunger, the family farm, meat production, and others. Three lectures per week.
• Directed Study-Class Component: Students will receive instruction and guidance for the development of a group agriculture capstone project. Student groups will identify a relevant problem, review background information, develop a project with an advisor, and gain its approval prior to implementation. A Capstone Agriculture Project Handbook will provide guidance for project expectations. Graded on a pass/no record basis.
• Directed Study-Project Component: A continuation of Agriculture 380. The student groups will implement an approved capstone project, report the results of the project in writing, and give a public oral presentation of their work. A Capstone Agriculture Project Handbook will provide guidance for project expectations.
• Agroecology: An introduction to the principles of agricultural ecology with an emphasis on Christian stewardship of God’s world. Topics include the development and characteristics of agroecosystems, ecological disturbance and succession, diversity, pest management, nutrient cycling, environmental quality, energy use, climate change, social capital, conservation practices, and global food production. The interaction of agroecosystems with surrounding ecosystems is studied, and the utilization of ecological principles in agroecosystem design and management are examined. Two lectures and one three-hour laboratory per week.
• Agroecosystems Analysis: A field-based course in which students visit eight or more agroecosystems and work in teams to understand them, analyze them, and reflect on their sustainability. The course includes pre-class reading and writing assignments, eight intensive days of farm visits and analysis during the summer, and final written assignments due in September. It is a cooperative course involving students and faculty members from Dordt University, Iowa State University, the University of Minnesota, and the University of Nebraska. It provides Dordt students with a unique opportunity to engage the broader culture and to consider the implications of a Christian view of agroecosystems.
• Serving and Learning in Southern Africa (Zambia): This course begins as an in-class seminar during spring semester and concludes with a 2-week long trip to Zambia in June. The on-campus component will be preparing students to understand basic principles of natural ecosystems and interactions with agricultural systems. After finishing the classroom part of the course, the class will arrive in Ndola, Zambia and live in the dormitory at Northrise University. During their stay, students will study and analyze at least six agroecosystems in the developing country.

See the course catalog for more information.