Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University A land-grant institution
Areas of Interest (Options)
Dr. Eversole demonstrating how to vaccinate a calf in Introduction to Animal Science lab.
The Agricultural Technology Program offers a concentrated academic experience for individuals pursuing an associate degree in preparation for careers in the agriculture and green industries. Students can specialize in Applied Agricultural Management or Landscape and Turf Management.
Applied Agricultural Management
- Agribusiness
- Beef Production
- Crop Production
- Dairy Production
- Horse Management
- Swine Production
- Poultry Production
- Sheep Production
Students gain a balanced education that includes courses in animal production, business, and crop production to prepare them for diverse job opportunities. Students can specialize in a concentration area that allows them to pursue entrepreneurial opportunities, agribusiness management, crop production, or management of equine, cattle, poultry, sheep, or swine operations.
Business courses provide instruction in financial record keeping, agricultural law, professional selling, personnel management, strategic marketing, whole business planning, and information systems, focusing on strategic management and economic issues of the agricultural industry. Laboratories stress the use of modern management methods and computer applications for problem solving.
The animal science curriculum includes courses in genetics, nutrition, reproduction, health, management, business, mechanics, and forage production. The focus is on the biological and economic aspects of animal production and management.
Crop science courses include soils and soil fertility, tillage, integrated pest management, fruit and vegetable production, and other cropping practices. Courses concentrate on the production and use of field and forage crops, including their biology and management.
Landscape and Turf Management
- Golf Course Management
- Landscape Management
- Sports Turf Management
- Horticulture Production
Students prepare for a career in the green industry — including landscape design, golf course management, horticulture production and nursery management, and sports turf management. They learn about turfgrass and landscape installation, maintenance, and management. Courses cover landscape design; site preparation; construction and maintenance; and turfgrass species selection, installation, and management. Additional course work includes important topics such as integrated pest management, business practices, computer applications, horticulture production, and agricultural chemicals and their application.