The Department of Agriculture offers programs reflecting the diversity of choices available and skills required in modern agriculture and related professions. This dynamic global industry uses new technologies to improve the production, management, manufacture, and distribution of food and agricultural products.
Agriculture majors provide a broad exposure to agricultural disciplines. With this curriculum, students may expect to manage a ranch or a farm, or work in any career that requires a general agriculture education such as county extension agents, banking or government service.
Students in this major may pursue the following concentrations/certifications:
Horticulture Concentration: This concentration teaches management of commercial establishments and institutions that produce ornamental plants such as greenhouses and nurseries, floral shops and plant therapy businesses. The major also contains specialized courses in horticulture that utilize greenhouses, the Freeman Centre and the Living Library Gardens.
Agricultural Mechanics Concentration. This concentration offers one of the most popular agricultural pathways offered at the secondary level in the state of Texas. The junior agricultural mechanics shows at the major livestock shows and rodeos in Texas are also some of the most well attended events among secondary agriculture students.
Teacher Certification in Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources. A comprehensive educational program concerned with the broad field of agriculture. Emphasis in the major is on production techniques, managerial skills and competencies necessary to function as agricultural scientists, educators, or agricultural managers in today’s complex agricultural industry. Agriculture teachers are certified to teach in grades six through twelve in the public schools of Texas.